Storm host Spirit at 6:30pm
Put the league on alert: The Guelph Storm could become the first OHL team to clinch a playoff spot this season.
If the Sarnia Sting lose their matinee vs. Windsor, and the Guelph Storm take care of business on home ice, Guelph will punch their ticket to the post-season for the 22nd straight season.
They’ll do it on an extra days rest too. A cancelled Saturday night game in Owen Sound gave the Storm an unexpected day off.
Perhaps they will need it.
While the Storm have been surging, winning seven straight, their last defeat came at the hands of their Sunday evening opponent – the Saginaw Spirit.
Three weeks ago to the day, the Spirit did a fantastic job of shutting down the depth of the Storm. They went up early and then played a rigorous defensive game to limit the Storm to just 22 shots on net.
Guelph will have to play better on Sunday. Saginaw has been inconsistent on the year but are currently 7-3-0-0 in their last ten.
THE PLAYERS
Guelph: Jason Dickinson – There’s no place like home for the Dallas Stars first rounder. Dickinson’s January at the Sleeman Centre has been nothing short of spectacular. He has 1 goal and 11 assists in just 5 games. He’s had an increased role since the Hunter Garlent trade and seems to get better by the game.
Saginaw: Jake Patterson – One of Team Canada’s two junior goalies makes his season debut in Guelph. He didn’t play in the 3-2 win over the Storm a few weeks ago so it will be the first look for Guelph’s roster as well. He’s touted as one of the best young goalies in the OHL yet has not been statistically brilliant. In 29 starts, Patterson has a 3.47 GAA and a .908 save percentage. He’ll need his A-Game vs. Guelph.
THE GAME
In for the Kill: Guelph is playing with the kind of special teams that wins championships right now. In their last 11 games, the Storm are 44-49 in killing penalties – a prolific mark. Pius Suter popped in a shorthanded goal on Friday night, and the Storm constantly create chances. Look out for speedy wingers causing problems for the Saginaw defensemen holding the line.
Straight to the Point: While Guelph has a dynamic penalty kill, Saginaw’s defensemen are pretty good from the point. To date, they have 12 powerplay goals combined. That’s more than Guelph’s 11 throughout the d-men, and Guelph has the most goals in the OHL.
Milestone watch: Storm forwards Zack Mitchell and Scott Kosmachuk are in a battle to solidify themselves as all-time great Storm scorers. On Friday, Mitchell tied Kevin Mitchell for 12th on the all-time Storm scoring list with 211 points. Kosmachuk sits at 209. Who wins the battle and moves up the chart?
A balnanced attack: The Spirit will beat you as a team. While they don’t have as many goals as the Storm, their scoring is pretty evenly distributed. Their leading scorer, Kris Kontos, has 17 goals but there are nine others with at least 10 goals.
THE FINAL WORD
The Saginaw Spirit may think they have the Storm figured out, but Guelph will look to prove them otherwise.
If Guelph can get back to playing “Guelph Storm hockey” then they should have no problem. They cannot afford to only fire 22 shots against a good goalie in net.
Either way, it will be an entertaining affair to conclude a weekend of Storm hockey.
