Late comeback stops Storm

By Alex Terry, GuelphStorm.com – After battling back from two goals down, the Guelph Storm lost 4-3 in overtime to the Brampton Battalion on Friday night.  Despite the loss, the Storm still extended their regulation unbeaten streak to four games.

Tanner Richard and Matt Finn each had a goal and an assist less than a minute apart, but after a controversial missed offside call, the Storm (3-1-1-1) had to stomach a tough loss.

Recent addition Jamie Lewis had two assists while Dylan Blujus scored the winnier in overtime for Brampton (3-2-0-0) who outshot the home team 35-28 and played a hard hitting road game.

Despite taking the loss, Guelph goaltender Brendan Foote played an exceptional game, giving his team a chance through a relentless Battalion attack late in the third period. Foote would make 31 saves for his efforts.

The Battalion opened the scoring early in the first period on a two-on-one break against the Storm. Zack Mitchell made a great effort to get back and tie up the open man, but it ended up being Brett Mackie who tapped in a rebound, giving Brampton a 1-0 lead early.

Brampton would strike again to go up 2-0 before Andrey Pedan blasted home his first of the year.

Working down low, the Storm cycled the puck below the goal line before it squirted to Pedan sitting uncovered on the point. He made no mistake putting it in the top corner past the glove of Battalion goaltender Matej Machovsky.

The visitors would hold a 2-1 lead heading into the second period.

Despite no goals being scored in the second period, there was no lack of action. The two teams who had been playing a hard hitting game since the puck dropped showed no signs of fatigue, and despite being outsized by their opponent, the Storm didn’t back down.

Their efforts would pay off in the third.

Richard tied the game for Guelph at 12:11 after the Storm foiled a clearing attempt from the Brampton zone. After getting a fluttering pass from Scott Kosmachuk, Richard released a laser of a wrist shot that cleanly beat Machovsky over the blocker.

Less than a minute later Finn gave the Storm the lead for the first time in the game after an offensive zone face-off. The goal, Finn’s second of the year, was a slapshot that beat the Brampton goalie clean over his glove.

Spencer Abraham tied the game off a one-timer in the slot for Brampton. Despite getting a piece of the shot, it managed to squeak by Foote’s glove.

After nothing got settled in regulation, the two teams entered extra time.

Just after the three minute mark of overtime, defenceman Blujus skated into the Guelph zone on what looked like a harmless play. He lobbed a wrist shot at the net which seemed to fool Foote, going into the top corner, ringing off two posts, and ending the game 4-3 in favor of Brampton.

Despite the loss, Guelph still got one point and has only failed to register a point in one game this season.

The Storm takes to the ice again Sunday against the Saginaw Spirit at the Sleeman Centre. Puck drops at noon.

Brampton Battalion 4 (OT) at Guelph Storm 3 – Status: Final OT
Friday, October 7, 2011 – Sleeman Centre

Brampton 2 0 1 1 – 4
Guelph 1 0 2 0 – 3

1st Period-1, Brampton, Mackie 1 (Lewis, MacLeod), 3:37. 2, Brampton, Goodrow 1   17:03. 3, Guelph, Pedan 1 (Poliziani, Mitchell), 18:18. Penalties-Carrick Bra (cross checking), 6:07; McIvor Bra (check from behind), 8:07; Turcotte Gue (check to the head), 11:02; Lane Bra (roughing), 19:50; McNaughton Gue (roughing), 19:50.

2nd Period- No Scoring.Penalties-Lloyd Bra (check to the head), 6:38; Richard Gue (check to the head), 15:13; Pedan Gue (hooking), 17:18.

3rd Period-4, Guelph, Richard 3 (Finn, Kosmachuk), 7:49. 5, Guelph, Finn 2 (Richard, Watling), 8:27. 6, Brampton, Abraham 1 (McIvor, Machac), 18:52. Penalties-Finn Gue (high sticking), 8:37; McNaughton Bra (high sticking), 11:37; Pedan Gue (tripping), 16:49.

OT Period-7, Brampton, Blujus 2 (Lewis), 2:04. Penalties-No Penalties

Shots on Goal-Brampton 15-7-6-1-29. Guelph 10-9-15-0-34.
Power Play Opportunities-Brampton 0 / 5; Guelph 0 / 4.
Goalies-Brampton, Machovsky 2-2-0-0 (34 shots-31 saves). Guelph, Foote 1-0-1-0 (29 shots-25 saves).
A-3,150
Referees-Mike Cairns (34), Garrett Rank (17).
Linesmen-Ryan Wilson (54), Tim Steen (75).