Guelph Storm coach George Burnett wasn't biting.
His team rode an emotional roller coaster to a 7-5 win over the Kitchener Rangers Tuesday night to get back in their playoff series when he was asked if a couple of bad penalties by the Rangers turned the tide of the game in the Storm's favour.
"Everyone will have an opinion. I don't think it's necessary for me to have one at this time," Burnett said. "It is what it is. I'm not going to comment. There's lots of hits in the game."
Ex-Storm forward Givani Smith was in the penalty box for the tying goal after bowling over the Storm's Cam Hillis on a line change. He was also in the box when Nate Schnarr scored a power play goal in the second period, this time for retaliating to an Isaac Ratcliffe cross check that went uncalled.
Guelph seemed to channel the emotion of Tuesday's game in a more positive manner than the Rangers, who still lead the best-of-seven series 2-1, with Game 4 set for Wednesday night at the Sleeman Centre.
A disappointing crowd of just 2,832 took in the game.
"Lots of people down on us right now and we find a way to win tonight. I think it's incredibly important that we're much better tomorrow," Burnett said.
"I thought that was the weakest of the three games we've played, but we found a way to win tonight."
Guelph tied the game on a power play goal by Alexey Toropchenko with 2:09 in regulation then got the game winner 24 seconds later when Zach Poirier tipped a Mark Shoemaker point shot past Mario Culina in the Rangers net.
"Shoe shot it on net and I just happened to get my stick on it," said Poirier. "I think we've been battling hard, they have too. They got two on us and now it's a real series."
Poirier said the emotion of the game worked to the Storm's advantage.
"Yeah, absolutely. There's so much adrenaline going, but you have to try and stay in check though and keep everything focused on the game," he said.
"That emotion kind of carried on our side tonight and we were able to pop a few at the end," said Ratcliffe, who had three assists in the game.
"We've showed a lot of heart these last two games and tonight it really showed on the board."
Guelph trailed 3-2 after one period and it was tied 4-4 after two.
Kole Sherwood put Kitchener up two minutes into the third period, then it was end-to-end action until Toropchenko's wrister from the slot tied the game late in the period.
After Poirier's game winner, Cedric Ralph rounded out the scoring with an empty netter.
After a wonky first period, Guelph goaltender Anthony Popovich settled down, making 30 saves on the night.
Mario Culina wasn't nearly as sharp as he was in the first two games, allowing six goals on 26 shots.
Game 5 goes Friday night in Kitchener. A Game 6, if necessary, will be in Guelph on Sunday.
