Attack score four unanswered to take 4-1 win

In the second of back-to-back match-ups this weekend, the Owen Sound Attack came out on top on Saturday after scoring four unanswered goals with special teams play to earn a 4-1 victory over the Guelph Storm. 

Steph Coratti, GuelphStorm.com —

Special teams dominated this one.

With the Guelph Storm entering Saturday’s match-up against the Owen Sound Attack with an already short bench, giving up seven power plays didn’t make the second of a home-and-home series with their Highway Six rivals any easier.

The penalty kill units managed to kill off four of the seven advantages in the 4-1 loss, however, after Noah Carroll opened the scoring for the Storm 3:43 into the game on a power play of their own, the Attack posted four unanswered goals – all on special teams play – to earn the win.

Michael Giugovaz was Guelph’s best player by far, turning aside 45 of 49 shots and grabbing an assist on the Storm’s lone goal, while Michael McNiven made 22 saves in the victory.

Offensively, Petrus Palmu did most of the damage with a three-point (one goal, two assists) performance, including a shorthanded tally in the first period. 

Both teams picked up right where they left off on Friday night, starting with Givani Smith and Jacob Friend getting reacquainted in a spirited altercation just 1:46 into the match-up. As Friend earned five minutes for fighting, the extra two for instigating, and a 10-minute misconduct, Smith was given five for fighting and a game misconduct, further shortening Guelph’s already depleted line-up right off the hop.

Less than a minute later, Owen Sound’s bench received a minor for unsportsmanlike conduct, giving the Storm a five-on-three advantage. A pair of defensemen helped the visitor’s get on the board to start at the 3:43 point of the period, as Garrett McFadden gained the zone, feeding the puck back to Carroll with a heads up play along the boards. On the feed, Carroll put it past McNiven with a point shot. Giugovaz added the second helper on the tally. 

From there, the ice began to tilt in the home club’s favour with the Attack subtly taking control of the game’s momentum. With that, Giugovaz answered the call making several big saves, including back-to-back glove saves nearing the halfway point of the frame to keep his squad up by one. 

Minutes later, the Attack finally beat the overage netminder, though, getting on the board at the 11:16 point of the first. Down a man due to a roughing call, Palmu maintained an active stick on the penalty kill, forcing a turnover at the Attack blueline, sprining himself for a shorthanded break and tying the game up at one with his 15^th of the season. 

Special teams play remained consistent as Carroll was sent to the box just over three minutes later for holding. On the advantage, the Attack took over the lead as Santino Centorame put a rocket past a screened Giugovaz to make it a 2-1 game heading into the second period.

Penalty trouble continued for the Storm in the middle frame, with the visitors taking four minors on the period.

The penalty kill, along with a strong display from Giugovaz, limited the Attack to only one power play marker through the four opportunities. Extending the lead to two with less than five minutes remaining in the second, Sean Surzi grabbed his fourth of the season as Nicolas Sicoly (hooking) and Nick Deakin-Poot (tripping) were in the box, providing the Attack with a five-on-three advantage.

Making a strong case for the Storm’s best player on the game, Giugovaz stopped 31 shots through 40 minutes of play with the Attack holding a 3-1 lead.

It stayed just as busy for the Storm netminder in the final period of play, as the Attack continued to press. Penalties remained a factor too, as the Storm took another three minors in the frame.

With that, the Attack capitalized once more on the power play. As C.J. Garcia was sitting for cross checking, Bryson Cianfrone scored his 15^th of the season on the power play at the 12:55 mark to eventually finalize the 4-1 victory for Owen Sound.

With seven games played in the eight game season series, the home team hasn’t lost as the Attack now hold a 4-3 lead. 

The Storm are back in action on Tuesday night, visiting the Kitchener Rangers. 

GAME NOTES 

• The Storm and the Attack met for the seventh of eight times this season on Saturday, while also concluding a home-and-home series after facing off in Guelph previously on Friday night. 

• The Attack now hold a 4-3 season series lead. 

• With seven games played in the series, the home team has not lost when the Storm and the Attack have squared off this season. 

• Visiting Owen Sound on Saturday, defenseman Garrett McFadden is a native of nearby Kincardine, Ontario. 

• The Guelph Storm host the Guelph Giants on Sunday afternoon at the Sleeman Centre in support of special needs hockey in Guelph. The puck drops at 1:00pm. Admission is complementary, but donations are appreciated. 

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Guelph Storm 1 at Owen Sound Attack 4 – Status: End of Game
Saturday, February 20, 2016 – Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre

Guelph 1 0 0 – 1
Owen Sound 2 1 1 – 4

1st Period–1, Guelph, Carroll 3 (McFadden, Giugovaz), 3:43 (PP). 2, Owen Sound, Palmu 15   11:16 (SH). 3, Owen Sound, Centorame 13 (Palmu, Cianfrone), 15:22 (PP).

Penalties-Smith Gue (fight-inst. upon, game misc-helmet), 1:46; Friend Os (instigator, fighting, 10-min. misc.), 1:46; served by Durzi Os (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 2:25; Philips Gue (roughing), 9:59; Gadjovich Os (roughing), 9:59; Sharipzyanov Os (roughing), 9:59; Carroll Gue (holding), 14:51.

2nd Period-4, Owen Sound, Durzi 4 (Schemitsch, Szypula), 15:42 (PP).

Penalties-Bricknell Gue (slashing), 2:20; Schemitsch Os (hooking), 8:38; Sicoly Gue (hooking), 14:03; Deakin-Poot Gue (tripping), 15:16; Philips Gue (boarding), 19:02.

3rd Period-5, Owen Sound, Cianfrone 15 (Centorame, Palmu), 12:55 (PP).

Penalties-Centorame Os (roughing), 0:06; Dunda Os (slashing), 5:37; Deakin-Poot Gue (slashing), 8:26; Garcia Gue (cross checking), 12:01; Philips Gue (roughing), 13:57; Phillips Os (roughing), 13:57.

Shots on Goal–Guelph 10-4-9-23. Owen Sound 16-18-15-49.
Power Play Opportunities–Guelph 1 / 5; Owen Sound 3 / 7.
Goalies–Guelph, Giugovaz 14-12-5-2 (49 shots-45 saves). Owen Sound, McNiven 17-14-7-3 (23 shots-22 saves).

A-3,185
Referees-Sean Reid (26), Andrew Thompson (36).
Linesmen-Kevin McArthur (47), Scott Lawson (98).

Three Stars:

1. OS – 25 Petrus Palmu (1G, 2A)

2. OS – 8 Santino Centorame (1G, 1A)

3. GUE – 30 Michael Giugovaz (45 SVS) 

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COMING UP IN STORM CITY… 

Sunday, February 21: Guelph Storm vs. Guelph Giants:

• The Guelph Storm host the Guelph Giants in support of special needs hockey in Guelph on Sunday. Puck drops at 1pm. Admission is complementary, but donations are appreciated. Read more HERE. 

Friday, February 26: Guelph Storm vs. Kitchener Rangers (Pevs Protects Night): 

• As the Storm host the Highway Seven rivals, Kitchener Rangers, the game will also feature Pevs Protects. Fans are encouraged to wear red to show their support. 

Friday, March 4: Guelph Storm vs. Ottawa 67’s (AM Roofing Night in support of Children’s Foundation of Guelph/Wellington and Ronald MacDonald House Charities): 

• The Storm are hosting AM Roofing Night, teaming up with Toronto Maple Leafs’ legend Darryl Sittler to help raise funds for the Children’s Foundation of Guelph/Wellington and Ronald MacDonald House Charities. Tickets are available HERE. For more on the game, CLICK HERE.