Guelph Storm rookie Charlie Paquette checked off a few items on his list of 'OHL firsts' this week.
Friday night the burly winger scored his first goal and had his first two assists as the Storm rolled over the Owen Sound Attack 9-4 before 2,860 fans at the Sleeman Centre.
Paquette even won the $100 monthly award for student achievement from the Storm fan club.
"Feels great to get it out of the way," said a beaming Paquette of his first OHL goal, a wrister to the bottom corner past Owen Sound goaltender Mack Guzda in the first period. "I'm just hoping I can do it a couple more times this season. All the boys were really happy, they're giving lots of love in the room."
Paquette said six games into the campaign he's starting to get used to the pace of the league and feeling more confident.
"I think in the room, on the ice, with the puck, I think I'm just getting a little bit more comfortable with it all," the Storm's second round pick in this year's draft said. "Getting a little bit more used to it every day."
The night before in Windsor, in front of "too many friends and family to count," the Essex native had his first OHL fight, dropping the gloves with the Spitfires' Will Cuylie.
Paquette's three-point night was matched by linemate Valentin Zhugin, who had his first two OHL goals and an assist.
Sasha Pastujov had a hat trick for Guelph, giving him 10 goals in nine games, with the other markers coming from Ben McFarlane, Braeden Bowman and Marko Sikic.
Jacob Oster had a steady but relatively quiet night in the Guelph net, facing 25 shots.
"I think that line of (Jacob) Maillet, Zhugin and Paquette led the way tonight," Storm coach George Burnett said."They got the two quick goals tonight ... I think our entire team got taller and got excited when they were having success. They worked hard and it's nice to see them rewarded.
"Charlie had a good game in a tough situation last night in Windsor, going home for the first time, so to see him get a big goal and a couple of helpers tonight was terrific."
Guelph led 4-1 after one period despite having just seven shots on Owen Sound starting goaltender Mack Guzda, who got pulled after allowing the fifth goal early in the second period.
Just one of the Guelph goals came on the power play, while the penalty kill did a stellar job, killing off seven of eight Owen Sound power plays.
The Storm hosts the Sault Ste Marie Greyhounds Saturday night at 7 p.m.
After that their next home game isn't until Nov. 12.
