From the Stands
Despite two home losses this weekend, Guelph Storm fans had to be pretty happy with their young, rebuilding team. Both Owen Sound and London are expected to have strong teams in the OHL’s Western Conference this season but the Storm fought like banshees on every shift. In the end they lost 6-4 to the Attack and 2-1 in overtime to the Knights, despite outshooting London 46-27.
“If you’re a fan and didn’t like today’s game, there is something wrong” said Storm coach Scott Walker after Sunday’s contest. “A couple of times we got caught looking at pucks laying on the goal line and we were behind the net and you just can’t get through that mesh.”
But the opening weekend was a chance for the team brass to see what they have. I should have mentioned the Storm won in Windsor last Thursday night to open the season so ended up with three of a possible six points.
“I thought the new guys handled themselves very well” said Walker pointing out the likes of Tyler Bertuzzi, Hunter Garlent, Zack Leslie, Justin Auger, Jason Dickinson and players like Daniel Poliziani and Ben Harpur who got their first taste of action Sunday.
“It’s tough playing someone like London in your first game” said Walker, “but the kids played well enough that I could keep rolling four lines.”
Storm netminder Brandon Foote was very strong in the team’s win in Windsor and Garret Sparks went toe-to-toe against London’s Michael Houser on Sunday.
“Early in the game (Houser) was making excellent saves and I was just sort of standing there” said Sparks referring to the fact that Guelph had an 18-6 shot advantage at one point in the second period. “Then it escalated and both sides were trading chances back and forth, usually something like that doesn’t last that long.”
But it was the way the team kept battling that was most encouraging. After last season, when 80% effort seemed good enough for some players, this year’s lot has the pedal to the metal most of the time.
“This is a great team because we have chemistry that is second to none” said 17-year-old defenceman Matt Finn who was a force in both home games. “Everyone is so happy to be here and willing to do something for the next guy. Everyone is willing to learn and we’re looking for wins. It’s infectious because (the kids are all) working so hard – I can see it in their faces.”
One player who is making his presence felt is Bertuzzi. The 5’9”, 150lb 16-year-old rookie usually arrives in the heart of the action on time and in a bad mood. After just three games he leads the league in penalty minutes and has had a fight in all three matches. One wonders if he keeps this up whether he’ll last until Christmas. Somewhere uncle Todd is probably smiling.
Storm fans realize this is a rebuilding year and all they are asking for is a team that gives it their all on every shift. If the opening weekend is any indication, fans have reason to be optimistic.
From the Land of Oz….Drew Doughty was in attendance at the London-Guelph game on Sunday. He and his agent have yet to reach an agreement on a contract with the Los Angeles Kings…After the first three games, Cody McNaughton leads the team in scoring with three goals and two assists. Finn, Kyle Pereira and Francis Menard are next with four points each…Storm winger Scott Kosmachuk started his season with a bang, scoring a hat trick in the win over Windsor…Max Domi, the son of former NHL enforcer Tie Domi had three goals and an assist in his debut with London Friday night. The Storm held him off the board on Sunday….The fundraising effort for the wife of former Storm player Mike Vellinga was a great success. Between the hockey game Friday night and the Skate with the Storm the following day, over $15,000 was raised for Andrea Vellinga who is now out of a coma after being severely injured when a stage at a concert collapsed on her in Indiana several weeks ago.
