Bertuzzi makes himself at home
By Tony Saxon, Guelph Mercury
The hometown boy made good Sunday afternoon at the Sudbury Arena.
Guelph Storm forward Tyler Bertuzzi scored twice in front of his family and friends in helping lead the Storm to a 4-2 win over the Sudbury Wolves.
Combined with Kitchener’s 6-1 loss to London, the Storm is now three points back of the Rangers for home ice advantage in the playoffs, with Guelph holding a game in hand. The two teams play Tuesday in Kitchener.
Bertuzzi scored the go-ahead goal and the eventual game-winner in the second period. Both goals came at the end of the rink where a huge gathering of family and friends were sitting.
“I think a quarter of the arena were family and friends tonight. It’s certainly exciting when you come home,” said Bertuzzi, who now has 11 goals on the year.
“I got to sleep in my own bed all three nights and eat home-cooked meals. It was great.”
The Storm only makes one trip a year to Sudbury, making it a special trip for Bertuzzi. The team granted him a perk for the weekend, allowing him to stay at home while the rest of the team was holed up in a Super 8 motel.
Sault Ste. Marie native Patrick Watling was granted the same privilege Friday night in Sault Ste. Marie.
Bertuzzi was on the ice in the final minute of Sunday’s game when Sudbury pulled its goaltender and tried hard to get the hat trick.
“I wanted it bad. The puck was on top of the net so I chopped it off and shot it but the guy dove in front of it,” Bertuzzi said.
Storm coach Scott Walker said it’s always special playing at home, especially when it’s a rare occurrence.
“When he wants to play, he can be a hell of a player,” Walker said of Bertuzzi. “They always seem to have that extra jump in their hometowns.”
