Skip to content

Now the real work begins for the Guelph Storm (5 photos)

Wraps up the pre-season with a win over Hamilton while still missing eight players at NHL camps

Having eight players still away at NHL training camps is a big of a double-edged sword for the Guelph Storm.

On the one hand some young players get to see a lot of ice time. On the other hand, you can't really work on setting lines in advance of the season opener Thursday night in Windsor.

Guelph wrapped up exhibition play with a 4-1 win over the Hamilton Bulldogs Saturday night at the Sleeman Centre.

"It is what it is," said Storm coach/gm George Burnett Saturday. "The alternative is you don't play these games then some of these young kids don't get this experience," Burnett said.

Burnett isn't exactly sure when the eight remaining players - Ryan Merkley, Isaac Ratcliffe, Nate Schnarr, Anthony Popovich, Dmitri Samorukov, Owen Lalonde, Liam Hawel and Alexey Toropchenko - will return to Guelph.

"Until somebody walks through the door, this could be the lineup we start with next Thursday, so who knows" Burnett said, although he expects some players to return mid-week. Others, particularly the signed players, could be longer.

Burnett said the longer those players are in camp, the better it is for the Guelph Storm because they will come back with the NHL experience "out of their system" and hopefully full of confidence.

He has been pleased with the play of several players in the pre-season, including goaltender Nico Daws.

Daws has been stellar, sporting a 0.50 goals-against average and .988 save percentage.

"He was great in all three of his starts. He took the challenge seriously about being ready and competing," the Storm coach said.

Guelph was outshot 46-16 by the Bulldogs Saturday night, including a 19-1 deficit in a scoreless first period, but the visitors couldn't solve a rock-steady Daws in the Guelph net.

Barret Kirwin and Tag Bertuzzi scored in the second to make it 2-0 Guelph after 40 minutes. Mark Woolley made it 3-0 before Hamilton solved Daws in the Guelph net with a power play goal midway through the third.

Bertuzzi finished off the scoring with an empty netter.

Guelph starts the season in Windsor Thursday then hosts the Sudbury Wolves in the home opener Friday.


Comments

Verified reader

If you would like to apply to become a verified commenter, please fill out this form.




Tony Saxon

About the Author: Tony Saxon

Tony Saxon has had a rich and varied 30 year career as a journalist, an award winning correspondent, columnist, reporter, feature writer and photographer.
Read more