Storm’s season comes to an end
There are 60 junior hockey teams in Canada and for 59 of them the season ends in heartbreak.
So it was for the Guelph Storm Tuesday night as they were eliminated from the OHL playoffs with a 3-2 loss to the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in front of 3,283 at the Sleeman Centre.
The Hounds swept the Western Conference semifinal in four straightand now move on to meet the Erie Otters in the final. Erie eliminated the London Knights, also in four straight.
As always, the loss was hardest on those players whose junior hockey careers came to an end with the final buzzer.
“We battled hard. It was really good to leave on a note like that in front of the home crowd,” said graduating winger Tyler Bertuzzi. “Just missing this place after four years: It’s going to be pretty hard.
“I wasn’t expected to make this team the first year and Mike (Kelly) took a gamble on me. It’s been a heck of a ride over the last four years,” Bertuzzi said.
Captain Jason Dickinson called it “a privilege” to have been able to play four years in Guelph.
“I got to play under some great coaches and learn a hell of a lot from them,” Dickinson said.
“I made a lot of good relationships here with my billets and other people in the community. It’s going to be nice to be able to hold onto that,” he said.
Dickinson and Bertuzzi are signed by NHL teams and won’t be back, neither will overagers Chris Marchese and Luke Cairns, while defenceman Phil Baltisberger will play professionally in Switzerland next season.
