The two points were a bonus for the Guelph Storm Friday night. The real prize was the return of Cam Allen.
The Storm defenceman played his first game since April of last year at the Sleeman Centre, finally recovered from off-season shoulder surgery.
He played a very strong game in helping the Storm to a 3-2 overtime win over the Sarnia Sting.
Jett Luchanko provided the thrilling ending on a strong individual effort to the Sting net, cutting in off his off wing and stuffing it past Sting goaltender Nick Surzycia with 40 seconds left in overtime.
Icing on the cake for Allen.
The third overall pick in the 2021 OHL draft and a fifth round pick of the NHL's Washington Capitals, Allen had been chomping at the bit to get back to get back into game action.
"I saw the surgeon about a week and a half ago and got the go-ahead. So for the last week I've been back to full-contact practice in getting ready for today. It felt good. It's all better," said Allen.
"I was excited, but the closer we got to the game I had a bit of the butterflies in my stomach. I was running off adrenaline a little bit to help the tired lungs and the legs a little bit."
Any tentativeness in regards to the shoulder was worked out during practice.
"Especially with surgery. They're not going to give you the go-ahead until you're 100 per cent. It's not one of those things where you feel good so you just come back. I've felt good for a while now but it's all about easing back into it," he said.
"If it was my decision I would have been back a lot earlier, but the surgeon has to cover his bases and let me go when I'm ready. I feel 100 per cent now."
Allen said the hardest part was knowing how long it would be until he could return after having the surgery.
"It's tough showing up to the rink knowing you're going to have a million more days just like the one before with no games to show for it," Allen said. "Showing up everyday, doing the work, but having no games to show for it."
Allen's return is even more significant given that fellow defenceman Michael Buchinger will be out five to six weeks after undergoing thumb surgery.
All four goals in regulation Friday night were scored on the power play, with Max Namestnikov and Braeden Bowman pulling the trigger for Guelph, both assisted by Luchanko.
Kai Schwindt and Marko Sikic scored for Sarnia, cellar dwellers in the Western Conference, the latter tying the game late in the second period, setting the table for a scoreless third.
Braeden Gillespie made 22 saves in the Storm net.
Quinn Beachesne (broken wrist), who hasn't played since Oct. 29, was also supposed to play Friday but couldn't go because of the flu. Same with Rylan Singh.
Guelph is in Owen Sound Sunday for a 2 p.m. start then play in Erie Thursday and Kitchener Friday. Next home game is Feb. 4 against London.
