Storm take on Knights Tonight
By Eric Balnar, Guelphstorm.com
The Guelph Storm heads in to London on Thursday looking to improve on last weekend’s effort.
It may seem strange for a team that is on a 10 game winning streak, ranked second in the CHL Top 10 and won both games by a combined score of 9-4.
But head coach Scott Walker says Guelph has not played a perfect game and is still looking for improvements every time out.
“We’ll definitely be making them skate this week in practice,” said Walker after Sunday afternoon’s 3-1 win over Sudbury.
Walker reiterated that the Storm only played 60 minutes combined in their two games on the weekend – a dominating first two periods Friday vs. Kitchener and a three goal third period vs. Sudbury on Sunday.
Guelph needs to bring their ‘A-Game’ if it wants to beat London in one of the toughest buildings in the OHL – the Budweiser Gardens.
The Knights thumped the Storm 7-2 in their first matchup on October 5th in London. This is just icing on an already sterling home record for London. The Knights are 8-2 at home this year, and have dropped just 16 games in regulation since the 2011-2012 season.
This won’t scare the Storm, who are looking to further prove they can win over good teams in difficult situations.
“Any time you play London, it brings out the best in you,” says Storm forward Hunter Garlent.
London is led by Vancouver’s first round draft pick Bo Horvat. He has 17 points in 13 games this year and had a three point performance when Guelph played in London last.
As a team, the Knights have struggled by their standards so far. The 2014 Memorial Cup hosts are 10-5-1-0 and outside of the top ten rankings.
However, the Knights season has renewed optimism following a 6-2 home win on Sunday vs. the Erie Otters. The win snapped a 10 game win streak by Erie. They’ll look to do the same to Guelph.But Guelph has had their way with the Knights at home this year, it’s just a matter of whether they can do it on the road. Last time Guelph was in London they were without their captain Matt Finn and one of their key forwards Tyler Bertuzzi.
Finn could be the difference maker for Guelph. He has 4 points in 2 games vs. London this year and is coming off a win over Sudbury where he scored the game-winning goal.
Finn says whatever adversity comes their way this season, the Storm just have to stay calm.
“We didn’t make it pretty on the weekend but you still have to keep calm and find a way to win,” says Finn.
It’s a key test for the division-leading Storm, who has a shot at extending their lead over the Knights to double digits.
On Friday, Guelph returns home to play the Plymouth Whalers. Game time is 7:30pm.
