Five in a row for Storm

With seven regulars out of the lineup, the undermanned Storm won for the sixth straight time to climb within two points of the Erie Otters for first overall in the Ontario Hockey League.

The Storm will continue a busy holiday season on Friday night at the Sleeman Centre when they host the West Division leading Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds for a 7:30 pm start.

Zack Mitchell paced the Guelph offence on New Year’s Day with two goals and an assist, while Justin Nichols was outstanding all afternoon as he kicked aside 39 of 41 Attack shots to earn first star honours.  Robby Fabbri was named third star with two more points to give him 19 points in his last 10 games including 14 goals.

James McEwen, Ryan Migliaccio and Michael Levesque were back in the lineup for the third straight contest.  Missing Wednesday’s game were Kerby Rychel (Team Canada World Junior Championship), Phil Baltisberger (Team Switzerland World Junior Championship), Garrett McFadden (Team Ontario World Under 17 Hockey Challenge), Ryan Horvat (suspension – returns January 5th), Brock McGinn (wrist surgery), Tyler Bertuzzi (upper body) and Hunter Garlent (upper body).

Guelph Storm 3 at Owen Sound Attack 2 – Status: End of Game
Wednesday, January 1, 2014 – Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre

Guelph 1 1 1 – 3
Owen Sound 0 1 1 – 2

1st Period-1, Guelph, Fabbri 24 (Mitchell), 19:27. Penalties-Stevens Gue (tripping), 9:28; Gabor Os (high sticking), 13:35; Craievich Gue (slashing), 17:30; MacDermid Os (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 17:30.

2nd Period-2, Owen Sound, Cook 14 (Milne, Rose), 5:33 (PP). 3, Guelph, Mitchell 15 (Leslie, Ebert), 7:39 (PP). Penalties-Fabbri Gue (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 4:45; Sharipzyanov Os (roughing), 7:18; Hargrave Os (high sticking), 12:53.

3rd Period-4, Guelph, Mitchell 16 (Fabbri), 19:11 (EN). 5, Owen Sound, Cook 15 (MacDermid, Milne), 19:50. Penalties-Milne Os (inter. on goaltender), 8:47; Bauman Gue (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 12:16; MacDermid Os (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 12:16; Fabbri Gue (hooking), 13:06.

Shots on Goal-Guelph 7-13-10-30. Owen Sound 15-7-19-41.
Power Play Opportunities-Guelph 1 / 4; Owen Sound 1 / 3.
Goalies-Guelph, Nichols 19-3-1-0 (41 shots-39 saves). Owen Sound, Hope 18-8-2-1 (29 shots-27 saves).
A-3,019
Referees-Dave Koziel (8), Ben Wilson (32).
Linesmen-Shandor Alphonso (85), Daniel Sepe (78).