Game Preview: Storm visit Owen Sound at 7:30
Stephanie Coratti, guelphstorm.com
Coming off a big 5-2 win versus the Windsor Spitfires on Friday, the Guelph Storm (7-3-0-0) look to keep the momentum going when they visit the Owen Sound Attack (7-3-1-2) tonight. The puck is scheduled to drop at 7:30.
Pius Suter is the clear hot hand for the Storm right now. The Swiss-Sensation notched his first career hatrick against the Spitfires, pushing his season total to nine goals in ten games already matching the nine goals scored in 66 games played last season. The 5’11”, 165 lbs sophomore is tied for sixth in the OHL for goals scored.
St. Louis Blues prospect Robby Fabbri has also had a significant impact since returning to the line up. The coined Fabbrilous star has recorded four goals and one assist in four games played, finding the back of the net in all but one of those contests.
The First Encounter: 3-2 Guelph on Oct. 4
In the first match-up of the season, the Storm rallied from behind for a 3-2 win in Owen Sound. Suter had two points on the game (one goal and one assist), while Garrett McFadden scored an incredible game-winning, highlight-reel goal.
The Opponent: Owen Sound Attack (7-3-1-2)
The Owen Sound Attack have notched 17 points in 13 games played and are currently riding a three-game win streak after dropping the Kitchener Rangers 4-3 in a shootout win on Oct. 24.
Goaltender Jack Flinn turned away 30 of 33 shots against Kitchener maintaining the reputation of being one of Owen Sound’s biggest threats. The 6’8”, 222 lbs Halifax native has a 3.40 goals-against-average and .898 SV% in eight games played this season and was a problem to be solved for the Storm in the last contest between the two teams. Flinn was solid between the pipes in Guelph’s 3-2 win, stopping 37 of 40 shots.
While stopping the puck is a clear strength for the Attack, there is no struggle of scoring as three players have at least a point per game so far this season. Edmonton Oilers 2013 fourth-round pick Kyle Platzer is Owen Sound’s leading point-getter, recording five goals for 17 points in 13 games played. Sitting at a plus-8, Platzer is clearly capable of playing strong at both ends of the ice. At left wing stands Unionville, Ontario native Daniel Milne who has 15 points in 13 games played (six goals, nine assists), while Holden Cook proves to be another offensive force with seven goals for 12 points in 12 games played.
Question Marks Between the Pipes
With both teams in action last night, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see back-up goaltenders slotted in net tonight.
The Attack have Brandon Hope who has seen six games already this season recording a 2.40 GAA and .927 SV%. There’s no doubting starter Jack Flinn has the ability to win a game for his team almost single handedly, however there is no reason to question Hope’s abilities to give his team a chance to add another tally to the win-column.
While for the Storm, the likelihood of seeing rookie goaltender Bradley van Schubert in net is much higher with Guelph playing their second of three games in a row this weekend. If van Schubert gets the nod tonight against the Attack, it will be his first OHL regular season start.
KEYS TO THE GAME
Storm Scoring:
The Storm have been facing a lot of questions regarding scoring abilities, especially after the high-powered offensive line up witnessed last season. However, some old names have answered the call and stepped up to the plate. Pius Suter has nine goals in ten games, and is tied for sixth in the OHL for goals scored, while Robby Fabbri has four goals in four games played, without a goal only against the Windsor Spitfires last night. Tyler Bertuzzi is also a significant notable recording four goals for 13 points in ten games played. The Detroit Red Wings prospect is currently riding a seven game point streak.
The issue of secondary scoring has also come into question, but with rookie James McEwan notching his first OHL goal and Adam Craeivich recording two assists last night against the Spitfires, the gates for the young talent on this Storm team are slowly opening.
Les Is More:
Los Angeles Kings prospect Zac Leslie returned to the Storm fold immediately making an impact and hasn’t looked back. Leslie, who will be playing in his 200th OHL game tonight against the Attack, recorded two assists against the Spitfires last night for a total of seven assists in six games played. Leslie, also a plus-3 against the Spitfires, is one of the staples in Guelph’s defense and will need to continue his strong play in Owen Sound tonight.
McFadden’s Mits:
The last match-up between these two teams featured an end-to-end rush by Garrett McFadden who flashed some great hands before pocketing the game-winning goal. The Kincardine, Ontario native undoubtedly thrives on returning to his local arena in Owen Sound, and will look to have another big game tonight. The sophomore defenseman, who has one goal and three assists in ten games played, is coming off a strong defensive game against the Spitfires where he finished as a plus-3. McFadden is plus-4 on the season.
