Game Preview: Storm look to rebound in Game Two
After falling 6-1 to the Owen Sound Attack in Game One of the Western Conference’s quarterfinal, the Guelph Storm will be looking to rebound in Game Two on Sunday.
Steph Coratti, GuelphStorm.com
The Western Conference quarterfinal didn’t start the way the Guelph Storm planned, dropping Game One 6-1 to the Owen Sound Attack. But the best-of-seven series is far from over, with Game Two set for Sunday at 6:30 in Guelph, where the Storm will look to regroup and rebound.
To purchase tickets for Game Two at the Sleeman Centre, you can visit the Guelph Storm Box Office in Old Quebec Street Mall, the Storm store in Stone Road Mall, online at GuelphStorm.com, or by calling (519) 837-9690.
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Game One Recap
To begin the best-of-seven series on Friday night, the Attack came out of the gates quickly, registering the first goal of the series 2:55 into the game. Jeffrey Gilligan would get the initial tally, with Liam Dunda and Justin Brack recording the helpers.
The Attack followed up the effort, extending their lead to two as Erik Bradford found the back of the net next. Kyle Platzer would be credited with the assist.
Regrouping for the middle frame, Jason Dickinson got the Storm on the board just over two minutes into the period to cut the deficit to one.
Shortly following the goal at the 4:38 mark, Austin Hall would be given a delay-of-game penalty. The Attack would capitalize on their first power play of the contest, making it a 3-1 game as Damir Sharipzyanov scored off a wrist shot coming down the wing.
The goal would prompt a goaltending change for the Storm as Bradley van Schubert, appearing in his first OHL playoff game, relieved Justin Nichols.
That would be it for the second period, however, the Attack would go on to pocket three more markers with Connor Walters, Brack, and Daniel Milne all scoring in the third period to make it a 6-1 final.
Owen Sound’s Jack Flinn turned away 30 of 31 shots in the contest for second star honours, while defenceman Sharipzyanov would be the best offensively for the Attack, posting a goal and two assists to be recognized as the game’s third star.
Player Watch
Trailing early on in Game One of the series, captain Jason Dickinson led the way in the Storm’s attempt to get back into the game on Friday, scoring the lone goal of the contest. Now facing adversity following Game One’s loss, the Dallas Stars prospect will continue to be a calming presence – both on and off the score sheet. In 32 career playoff games, spanning from 2012 as a rookie, to fourth-year veteran this postseason, Dickinson has compiled 32 points (13 goals, 19 assists) – posting a point-per-game production in the OHL Playoffs. In those 32 games, Dickinson has also recorded a plus-20 rating, further emphasizing the strength in his already well-recognized defensive play.
For the Attack, Nizhnekamsk, Russia native Damir Sharipzyanov led the way, recording three points (one goal, two assists) for third star honours in Game One. The 1996-born defenceman is playing in just his second post-season, appearing in five games in 2014 in which he recorded one assist. Following a rookie season that saw Sharipzyanov record 16 points (five goals, 11 assists), the sophomore enjoyed a breakout season in 2014-15, more than doubling his point total with 34 in 66 games played.
