Late Storm surge comes up short

Saturday night, the Storm fell behind 3-0 after one period and fought back over the final minutes before dropping a 4-3 decision in Owen Sound versus the first place Attack.

Winners of five of their last six and two straight heading into Saturday’s Midwest showdown, the Storm will look to rebound from the one goal setback and win their eighth straight on home ice tomorrow afternoon when the Kingston Frontenacs visit the Sleeman Centre for a 2 pm start.

Only three weeks ago, Guelph travelled to Owen Sound and came out on the short end of a 5-1 score going scoreless on 13 powerplay attempts.  Tonight, it was much of the same for the Storm with the man advantage as they failed to convert on seven manpower situations.  Down 1-0 in the first period on an Attack powerplay goal, Guelph had a chance to level the score at one with 1:44 of five-on-three but couldn’t solve Jordan Binnington.  The Owen Sound penalty kill was an early turning point with the home side doubling their lead to 2-0 just over two minutes after the powerplay expired.  Moments later, the Attack scored their second of the night with the man advantage to take a 3-0 bulge into the first intermission.

Needing a goal early in the second to make a game out of it, the Storm got just that on Zack Mitchell’s sixth of the season.  The Attack’s Andrew Fritsch restored the three goal cushion at the 10 minute mark before rookie winger Brock McGinn buried his 10th of the campaign with 4:12 remaining in the frame. 

After an early powerplay in the third, the Storm had a few chances to cut the lead to 4-3, but came up empty.  Then with Brandon Foote on the bench in favour of the extra attacker, Peter Holland banged in his 33rd of the season and 99th of his OHL career.  Despite some late pressure, Guelph couldn’t manage the equalizer.

Sunday afternoon, the Kingston Frontenacs will travel to Guelph for their lone visit of the regular season in a 2 pm start. 

Guelph Storm 3 at Owen Sound Attack 4 – Status: In Progress (FINAL)
Saturday, February 26, 2011 – Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre

Guelph 0 2 1 – 3
Owen Sound 3 1 0 – 4

1st Period-1, Owen Sound, Berdnikov 5 (Fritsch, Stanisz), 8:54 (PP). 2, Owen Sound, Fritsch 26 (Blacker, Berdnikov), 15:37. 3, Owen Sound, Wilson 38 (Stanisz, Fritsch), 17:53 (PP). Penalties-Halmo Os (tripping), 2:06; Pedan Gue (check from behind), 4:33; Latta Gue (holding), 7:11; Childerley Os (tripping), 11:12; Wilson Os (holding), 11:28; Latta Gue (cross checking), 16:29.

2nd Period-4, Guelph, Mitchell 6 (McNaughton, Latta), 2:21. 5, Owen Sound, Fritsch 27 (Blacker), 10:00. 6, Guelph, McGinn 10 (Menard, Pedan), 15:48. Penalties-Latta Gue (roughing), 4:00; Halmo Os (roughing), 4:00; Shaw Os (cross checking), 4:00; Wilson Os (cross checking), 9:02; Mitchell Gue (tripping), 9:24; Latta Gue (fighting), 13:28; Shaw Os (fighting), 13:28.

3rd Period-7, Guelph, Holland 33 (Finn), 19:38 (EN). Penalties-Petgrave Os (interference), 3:10; Pedan Gue (check to the head), 16:06; Binnington Os (roughing), 19:38.

Shots on Goal-Guelph 15-14-11-40. Owen Sound 15-14-11-40.
Power Play Opportunities-Guelph 0 / 7; Owen Sound 2 / 5.
Goalies-Guelph, Foote 19-17-4-1 (40 shots-36 saves). Owen Sound, Binnington 21-12-1-3 (39 shots-37 saves).
A-3,107
Referees-Sean Reid (26), Mike Bolibruck (2).
Linesmen-Dave Pfohl (96), Mike Harrington (90).