Finn for the Win
By Brendan, Zwambag, Guelphstorm.com
The Guelph Storm scored three goals in the final frame to beat the Sudbury Wolves and extend their winning streak to ten games on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2013.
Sudbury came as close as any team to defeating the Storm during the streak, shutting down the Storm offence for the first 40 minutes at the Sleeman Centre.
It was the second straight game that the Storm won despite inconsistent performances.
“Really, we got 40 minutes [of good hockey] against Kitchener [on Friday] and 20 minutes tonight, so 60 minutes out of two games,” said Storm coach Scott Walker.
“We weren’t terrible in the first 40, it’s just we weren’t sharp.”
Powered by the goaltending of Franky Palazzese, Sudbury held a one-goal edge headed into the third.
“There’s no question the goalie played good but we can’t use that as an excuse,” said Walker.
A more energetic and desperate third period by the Storm meant that they didn’t need any excuses.
Goals by Zack Mitchell, Matt Finn and Hunter Garlent erased the deficit to improve Guelph’s record to 15-3.
After two periods of fighting to control the puck and lacking a jump in their step, Guelph found the energy it needed early in the third.
Mitchell solved Palazzese with a deflection over the goaltender’s shoulder.
“I felt the tide turning,” said Storm goaltender Justin Nichols. “As soon as they got that goal, the guys got excited.”
With the floodgates open and 18 minutes remaining on the clock, it was only a matter of time before the Storm struck again.
This time it was captain Finn. He collected a loose puck in the slot for a quick snap shot and proceeded to raise the energy in the building by jumping into the glass in celebration.
Garlent added an insurance marker midway through the period on a powerplay.
“The difference between the first 40 and the 20 was, ‘I hope we score or we should score and we’re going to score,’” said Walker.
“I think we definitely want to play better than we did but I think it is great that we came back,” said Nichols, who stopped all but one perfectly placed shot to keep things close.
Matthew Campagna beat Nichols in the first before the St. Catherine’s native stonewalled the Wolves the rest of the way, most notably during a full two-minute 5-on-3 penalty kill in the second.
“That’s my job. I have to keep the team in it and give them a chance to win,” said Nichols. “That’s what the guys needed tonight obviously … and I am happy to do it.”
Scott Kosmachuk recorded two assists and Garlent, Mitchell, Brock McGinn and Steven Trojanovic chipped in with one apiece.
Guelph will take their ten-game streak on the road to London on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2013 before pitting their undefeated home record against the Plymouth Whalers the following night.
Storm 3, Wolves 1
1st Period
0-1 SBY Campagna (7) 13:49
Penalties – Auger GUE (Tripping) 9:29
2nd Period
No Scoring
Penalties – LeBlanc SBY (Hooking) 0:28, McFadden GUE (Hooking) 11:19, Bertuzzi GUE (Unsportsmanlike Conduct) 11:19
3rd Period
1-1 GUE Mitchell (9) (Kosmachuk, Garlent) 1:57
2-1 GUE Finn (5) (McGinn, Mitchell) 6:35
3-1 GUE Garlent (5) (Trojanovic, Kosmachuk) 11:54 PP
Penalties – Campagna SBY (Checking to the Head) 2:08, Cummins SBY (High Sticking) 6:49, Crisp SBY (Tripping) 11:25, Bertuzzi GUE (Checking to the Head) 14:28
Shots GUE 16-9-19 – 44 SBY 10-13-8 – 31
Goalies GUE Nichols (12-1-0-0) 30-31 SBY Palazzese (6-5-2-2) 41-44
Powerplay GUE – 1-4 SBY – 0-4
3 Stars
1. Mitchell, GUE
2. Finn, GUE
3. Palazzese, SBY
