Game Preview: Storm, Colts play final season match-up

After falling 6-2 to the Sarnia Sting on Friday night, the Guelph Storm will look for a rebound effort in Barrie on Saturday when they face off against the Colts for the final time this season. 

Steph Coratti, GuelphStorm.com —

It’s one tough opponent, to the next for the Guelph Storm (11-34-4-2). Hitting the road to visit the Barrie Colts (33-16-0-2) on Saturday, the Storm will be facing off against the hottest team in the OHL right now. In the last 10 games, the Colts have lost only once, and earned a point from the victory in a shootout result. 

The Colts are currently second in the Eastern Conference, just two points behind the leading Kingston Frontenacs, and hold an eight point lead over the third-place North Bay Battalion. 

While, on the other side of things, the Storm have had some up’s and down’s as of late, compiling a 2-5-1-2 record over their last 10, and will look to snap a two-game skid come Saturday night in Barrie.

Puck drop is slated for 7:30. 

Player Watch

• Guelph Storm 

Fourth in team scoring is sophomore Luke Burghardt with 23 points (14 goals, nine assists) in 46 games this campaign. Although more than surpassing his five-point rookie total registered in 54 games last season, the Bowmanville, Ontario native has also heated up as of late, scoring three goals in his last three games, and seven in his last 13 after recording just six goals in the first four months of the season. 

Isaac Ratcliffe regained the lead in rookie scoring on the Storm roster on Friday night, tallying one of Guelph’s two goals in the 6-2 loss to the Sarnia Sting. With the goal, the 1999-born London, Ontario native now has four goals through 32 games, totaling for nine points on the season. In the last three games played, the six-foot-four, 192-pound forward has two points. 

Eyes should certainly be on second-year Givani Smith on Saturday as well, who always seems to play with an added element of energy when there’s a lit fire heading into a match-up – that fire will most definitely be lit visiting his former squad. The last time the Colts and the Storm faced off on Jan. 8, the Brampton, Ontario native recorded two goals and an assist for third star recognition, helping propel the Storm to a 5-2 victory. On the season, the six-foot-one, 197-pound forward has 31 points (19 goals, 12 assists) in 49 games.  

•  Barrie Colts 

Leading the Colts offensively is third-year veteran Kevin Labanc with 33 goals for 98 points through 49 games this season. Last campaign, the Staten Island, New York native registered 107 points in 68 games – a total that he will likely surpass in the duration of this season. A sixth round (171 overall) selection of the San Jose Sharks in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, Labanc pocketed a goal against the Storm in the last contest on Jan. 8. Most recently, through the month of February, the five-foot-eleven, 179-pound forward has posted 13 points (four goals, nine assists) in four games. 

Second on the Colts in production is Andrew Mangiapane with 72 points (36 goals, 36 assists) through 43 games this season. The Bolton, Ontario native and Calgary Flames prospect takes a four-game point streak into Saturday’s match-up in which he has compiled six goals for 10 points. 

Recently acquired Dylan Sadowy has done well in a Colts jersey, ranked third on the team in points, the Woodbridge, Ontario native has 50 points (33 goals, 17 assists) in 48 games. With Barrie, the six-foot-one, 195-pound forward has recorded 16 points (13 goals, three assists) in 12 games. Over the last 11 games, the San Jose Sharks prospect has been held pointless only once, tallying for 13 goals and three assists in the stretch. 

Last Match-Up: Barrie 2 @ Guelph 5 (Jan. 8) 

GAME NOTES 

• The Storm and the Colts will play their second and final match-up of the season on Saturday.

• The Storm hold a 1-0 series lead, earning a 5-2 victory at home on Jan. 8. 

• C.J. Garcia and Givani Smith visit their former team Saturday night, both acquired by the Storm from the Colts via trade midway through the 2014-15 season. 

• The Storm are back in action at home on Monday afternoon, hosting the Erie Otters for a 2:00pm puck drop. Fans who purchased a regular ticket to Friday’s home game against the Sarnia Sting can add a ticket to Monday’s game for just $11. Click here for tickets. 

• Monday’s game also features Skate with the Storm postgame – bring your skates and helmets to skate with your favourite Storm players!