Storm suffer second loss at the Memorial Cup

By Dave Graham

Tuesday night’s game in the 2004 MasterCard Memorial Cup was a critical contest between the only two winless teams in the tournament.

The Medicine Hat Tigers have yet to lose two consecutive games in the post season this year. The Tigers streak would continue, as it was too little too late for the Guelph Storm.

This was the second game for each team, with both coming up short in their first games. Guelph opened the 2004 MasterCard Memorial Cup with a hard fought 1-0 loss to the host Kelowna Rockets. Medicine Hat also started the tournament off with a loss, dropping their opener to the Gatineau Olympiques 3-1.

With only one goal combined between the two teams so far in the tournament, the first goal of the game would be an important one.

After a scoreless first period, Clarke MacArthur of the Tigers capitalized on a defensive lapse by the Storm just 26 seconds into the second period.

The score would remain 1-0 until 6:13 of the third period when MacArthur made a perfect pass on to Chris St. Jacques on a two-on-one to give Medicine Hat a 2-0 lead.

Guelph did show some life late in the third period with their goaltender, Adam Dennis on the bench. At 18:56, almost two full games without a goal, Guelph’s Matt Ryan scored to make it a one goal game. Although this put a spring in the Storm’s step, Guelph was unable to tie the game losing 2-1.

Coming into the Memorial Cup, Guelph had only been shutout once during the entire regular season and playoffs. On Tuesday they were one minute and four seconds away from being blanked in back-to-back games. Guelph has had their opportunities, amassing a total of 49 in two games, out shooting their opponents in both games. However it has been a lack of powerplay production that is hurting them most, going 0-14 with the extra man.

The Storm will have to get back on track quickly with their next game, a must win, against The Gatineau Olympiques on Wednesday. Medicine Hat’s next game will be Thursday against the undefeated Kelowna Rockets.