Hockey is so much more fun when you're winning.
Just ask the Guelph Storm.
The locals made it three in a row — and four of its last five – with a 5-3 victory over the Owen Sound Attack Thursday night at the Sleeman Centre.
The win leaves them tied for fifth with the Erie Otters. Gueph wraps up its season with road games this weekend in Owen Sound and London. Erie finishes its regular season Saturday in Kitchener.
Finishing fifth means a first round playoff matchup with Kitchener.Sixth likely means the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds.
"It's awesome," said winger Charlie Paquette, who had his second two-goal game in a week, giving him 20 on the season.
"We went through a rough patch, but we all worked together to get out of it. It's coming together now and I think we're all pretty confident.
"We're coming to the rink having fun. Not that we weren't having fun before, but it's just a little extra fun when we're winning and that's important leading into the playoffs."
Gavin Grundner, Vilmer Alriksson and Ryan McGuire had Guelph's other goals. Cam Allen had a fine game, picking up three assists.
The score might have been a little complimentary to the Attack, who were outplayed most of the night. They trailed 4-1 at one point and 5-2 heading into the third.
A penalty shot goal by Servac Petrovsky made it 5-3 midway through the third but the Attack mounted little pressure the rest of the way, even with the goaltender pulled.
Colby Barlow scored Owen Sound's other two goals while Carter George went all the way in their net.
Damian Slavik continued his steady play in the absence of injured Brayden Gillespie, making 25 saves.
While no one wants to see a teammate go down with injury, Slavik is making the most of the opportunity presented to him and will likely start both games this weekend with Gillespie remaining sidelined.
"It's amazing for my confidence because I had a couple of bad games before," Slavik said. "I think we can beat every team in this league now.
"It's a lot more fun in the dressing room when we are winning games. It's amazing right now."
Prior to the game the Storm honoured overage players Brayden Hislop, Chandler Romeo and Brayden Bowman with an on-ice ceremony involving their parents.
