Game Preview: Storm host Otters in Family Day game

The Erie Otters will visit the Sleeman Centre for the second time this season on Monday to face off against the Guelph Storm in a Family Day matinee match-up. 

Steph Coratti, GuelphStorm.com — 

Skate with the Storm following Monday’s game with the Otters! Get your tickets HERE. 

Note: With two home games this weekend, Storm fans have the chance to capitalize on the $11 Weekend Ticket Deal! If you purchased a regular ticket to Friday’s match-up with the Sarnia Sting, add a ticket to Monday’s game against the Otters for just $11! Call (519) 837-9690 for more information. 

It’s been a tough weekend for the Guelph Storm (11-35-4-2), and Monday’s visitor won’t make it any easier. 

After falling 6-2 to the Sarnia Sting at home on Friday, only to be followed by a 5-1 loss to the Barrie Colts on Saturday night, the Storm host the OHL’s leading squad in the Erie Otters (41-10-1-0). 

With the match-up clearly a contest featuring two very opposite ends of the spectrum, the Storm and the Otters do hold one thing in common heading into the Family Day match-up: both will be looking to end a three-game skid. 

Compiling a 6-4-0-0 record in the last 10 games, three of the Otters’ regulation losses in that stretch have come in the last three games, with the last victory coming back on Feb. 6 in a 5-4 result over the Windsor Spitfires. Since, Erie has dropped a 4-1 contest to the London Knights on Feb. 10, a 5-4 score at the hands of the Mississauga Steelheads, and another 5-4 loss suffered most recently at home against the Kitchener Rangers on Feb. 13. 

Monday’s puck drop is scheduled for 2:00pm. 

Player Watch

• Guelph Storm

Overage goaltender Michael Giugovaz was nothing but impressive the last time the Storm and the Otters squared off, turning aside 35 of 37 shots in the 2-1 overtime loss. The performance, undoubtedly carrying the team in front of him to an earned point in the contest, earned the 1995-born Brampton, Ontario native first star honours on the night. Overall, appearing in 21 games for the Storm so far this campaign, the six-foot, 166-pound netminder has posted a 3.13 goals-against-average and a .915 save percentage, compiling a 8-7-2-2-0 record with one shutout. 

Excelling overall and against the Otters this season is Storm leading scorer James McEwan. In three games versus Erie, the sophomore has two goals, while notably registering six shots on net in the last meeting with the Otters on Dec. 29. In 52 games this season, the five-foot-eleven, 190-pound forward has 20 goals for 40 points – more than surpassing his rookie point total of 10 (three goals, seven assists) compiled in 45 games through the 2014-15 season. Recently, in the last six games played, the 2016 NHL Draft eligible prospect has posted seven points, going pointless only once in Guelph’s last game against the Barrie Colts on Feb. 13. 

Third-year veteran and Storm assistant captain Garrett McFadden continues to be a pillar on the backend, currently ranked third overall on the roster in production with 31 points (eight goals, 23 assists) in 52 games this season. The 1997-born, Kincardine, Ontario native has two assists in three games against the Otters this season, while also recently getting back on the scoresheet in Barrie with a helper after being held pointless for the first four games of February. 

• Erie Otters 

It’s no secret that depth is a significant element to the Otters’ success this season, with Arizona Coyotes prospect Dylan Strome leading the way with 81 points (28 goals, 53 assists) in 40 games this season – impressively producing at a 2.02-point(s)-per-game rate. Appearing in two games against the Storm this season, the 1997-born, Mississauga, Ontario native has registered two goals for five points in those meetings, while carrying a four-game point streak (three goals, five assists) into Monday’s match-up.  

Right behind is none other than Alex DeBrincat, rounding out the big top-two presence for the Otters with 73 points (40 goals, 33 assists) in 44 games this season. The Farmington Hills, Michigan native has posted two goals and an assist in two games against the Storm this campaign, while just like that of Strome, brings a four-game point streak into Monday’s tilt, registering four goals and four assists in the stretch.

Kyle Maksimovich has also had some luck against the Storm this season, tallying for two goals and an assist in three match-ups with the Midwest opponent. The second-year forward has totaled for 57 points (23 goals, 34 assists) in 52 games this season, more than doubling his rookie point total of 24 registered in 56 games last campaign. In the last two games, the Hamilton, Ontario native has one goal for four points.   

Last Match-Up: Erie 2 @ Guelph 1 (OT) (Dec. 29) 

GAME NOTES 

• Monday’s game is the fourth of six meetings between the Storm and the Otters this season. 

• Erie holds a three-game season series lead, earning a 4-2 victory at home on Oct. 17, a second home win in a 7-1 fashion on Dec. 2, followed by a 2-1 overtime result in Guelph on Dec. 29. 

• Both the Storm and the Otters take a three-game losing streak into the match-up. 

• Monday’s game also features Skate with the Storm immediately following the contest with the Otters, allowing fans to skate with their favourite Storm players. Skates are mandatory and helmets are strongly recommended. 

• With the Storm playing their second home game this weekend, Storm fans have the chance to capitalize on the $11 Weekend Ticket deal! If you purchased a ticket to Friday’s game, add a ticket to Monday’s match-up for just $11. Call (519) 837-9690 for more information.