Storm falls in season finale

by Eric Balnar, Guelphstorm.com

Ladies and Gentleman, your final record for the Guelph Storm: 52-12-2-2. 108 points. First in the OHL.

While the game may not have ended in spectacular fashion, a 2-1 shootout loss in Owen Sound ended a spectacular regular season for a Guelph Storm team that finishes with 108 points. That’s the best record in the OHL and franchise record number of points in a season.

For the most part the game was a formality for Guelph, who had already locked up the #1 seed in the playoffs and set the dates for a series against Plymouth.

But that doesn’t mean it wasn’t important.

Guelph was trying to end their season on a high note, give valuable playing time to both goaltenders and give some late-season experience to the bottom couple lines.

It certainly mattered to the Attack. Owen Sound was trying secure two valuable points to make a push up the standings past Saginaw for 6th in the Western Conference. It went the Attack’s way. Owen Sound now has 70 points – one more than the seventh seeded Spirit.

Despite the scoreline, it was actually a quick start for Guelph. Brock McGinn opened the scoring in the first 36 seconds with Scott Kosmachuk chipping an assists to give him 100 points on the season.

Then, midway through the first, Owen Sound responded by virtue of an unassisted Kurtis Gabriel goal to even the score at one.

The goalies promptly took over.

Jack Flinn did what he has done all season vs. Guelph – step up when it mattered. Flinn turned aside 44 of 45 shots overall including three Storm shooters in the shootout. It’s his second consequetive win over the Storm. Flinn and the Attack beat Guelph on home ice in early March 6-2.

Guelph’s goaltending duo was just as good as Flinn, however.

Justin Nichols got the start and played the first 30 minutes of the game. His numbers were solid – just as they have been all season – allowing only one goal and saving 13. Matthew Mancina was a little busier, but equally as impressive, as he stopped all 24 shots he faced in the game before being beatend by Kurtis Gabriel in the shooutout.

If it was a formality on paper, it didn’t look like it on the rink. Guelph worked hard on each shift and featured some impressive plays on both ends of the rink.

The Brock McGinn – Jason Dickinson – Scott Kosmachuk continued their hot play and seemed to create more than a few opportunites but Jack Flinn seemed to always rise to the occasion. Matthew Mancina was also dialed in denying the Attack on numerous occasions.

In the end though, the season may have ended with a loss. But it also ended with a franchise record in goals scored, wins and points. Not bad take aways from a pretty special season. There’s no doubt the Storm has their eye on an OHL title and spot in the Memorial Cup.

As one season ends, the next one begins. And for Guelph the post-season is the one that matters most.

The Storm open their first round playoff series Friday night at home vs. the eighth-seeeded Plymouth Whalers. Game two goes Saturday in Guelph.

BOX SCORE

Guelph 1 0 0 0 – 1
Owen Sound 1 0 0 0 – 2

1st Period-1, Guelph, McGinn 43 (Kosmachuk), 0:36. 2, Owen Sound, Gabriel 16   10:11. Penalties-Annecchiarico Os (boarding), 10:57; Gabriel Os (tripping), 14:35.

2nd Period- No Scoring.Penalties-Brack Os (high sticking), 8:20; Kosmachuk Gue (check from behind, game misc-cfb), 12:59; Leslie Gue (slashing), 16:35; Hargrave Os (holding), 18:27.

3rd Period- No Scoring.Penalties-Heeps Os (misc-usc), 3:49; Platzer Os (inter. on goaltender), 6:59.

OT Period- No Scoring.Penalties-No Penalties

Shootout – Guelph 0 (Pierog NG, McGinn NG, Leslie NG), Owen Sound 1 (Hope NG, Gabriel G, Rose NG).
Shots on Goal-Guelph 12-14-15-4-0-45. Owen Sound 10-11-14-3-1-39.
Power Play Opportunities-Guelph 0 / 5; Owen Sound 0 / 2.
Goalies-Guelph, Nichols 35-7-1-0 (14 shots-13 saves); Mancina 17-5-1-2 (24 shots-24 saves). Owen Sound, Flinn 3-10-1-3 (45 shots-44 saves).
A-3,209
Referees-Joe Celestin (4), Mike Marley (31).
Linesmen-John Fischer (63), Devin Berg (97).