For the Guelph Storm, putting the puck on net has been a struggle this year, putting less than 25 shots on net more often than not.
Friday night, the Storm changed the narrative, found the net often, found success on the power play, and continued its strong play over an Eastern Conference opponent.
But it didn’t come without its share of drama, in a game that had a bit of everything.
“It’s not the style of hockey that we’re kind of accustomed to playing,” coach Chad Wiseman said after a 7-5 victory over the Peterborough Petes.
“We didn’t start on time again tonight, and I thought we took them for granted.”
The defending OHL champions had a 2-0 lead after the first. Wiseman said with Michael Buchinger back in the lineup after being a late cut at Team Canada World Junior camp, and the recent acquisition of 19-year-old defender Tommy Budnick, perhaps his team thought the game would be easier.
The regroup was a full 180 in the middle frame. The Storm beat Liam Sztuska five times on 23 shots to take the 5-3 lead going into the third.
“(In the first intermission), we were just talking about playing Guelph Storm hockey, and how we play, and how we have success. That was the message, and tilting the ice back in our favour, and regaining momentum, and how we do that.
“I thought we responded really well.”
The two-goal lead was erased early in the third, but the leaders picked it back up with a pair of power play goals to seal it.
The Storm were four-for-six on the power play, a welcome change from the struggles it has had this month. Coming in, the Storm were two-for-27 with the extra man in December.
“During any season, it’s going to go through some cold spells,” Wiseman said of the power play.
“It’s just staying with it, and doing what you know what makes you successful. I thought our guys did a great job today. They built a little bit of confidence, made a few small adjustments, but nothing drastic.
“I thought our (penalty) kill, we gave up one late in the kill, but I thought our kill was solid, and our willingness to block shots was really important tonight.”
Max Namestnikov had two goals, and fooled the majority of the 4,600 in attendance at the Sleeman Centre, thinking he had the hat trick late. So much so, the goal light went on, and a fan threw a hat on the ice.
Looking short side, he took a shot that landed on the side of the net.
“It was a very offensive game,” Namestnikov said. “I personally enjoy it more, a lot more fun, more competitive. Guys are going at it, chirping each other.”
He ended the night with the pair, in a game that had everything. Two fights, a Petes goal was called back in the third because Chase Lefebvre kicked the puck in, momentum swing after momentum swing.
But in the end, it’s two points for the Storm, their seventh straight win over the Petes.
In fact, Guelph is now 16-2-0-1 against Peterborough, dating back to the 2012-13 season.
Against the East, Guelph is now 10-5-0-1 this season.
Owen Beck was out for the Petes, making Team Canada. Jax Dubois filled in nicely for the visitors, registering his first career OHL hat trick, and adding a helper in the loss.
He was the catalyst for them. For Guelph, there were – as Wiseman put it – no passengers.
A dozen players contributed to the scoring, including Jett Luchanko, who had four assists.
Jake Karabella had a goal and two helpers. Buchinger and Bowman each had a goal and an assist. Wil McFadden also registered his second career OHL goal in the win.
With the additions, Adam Shillinglaw did not play. He was returned to NOJHL's Hearst Lumberjacks Friday morning.
Guelph wraps up the pre-Christmas portion of its schedule Saturday with the team’s annual Teddy Bear Toss game. Puck drop against the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds is 2 p.m.
