Storm blows Saginaw away

By Carl Chimenti –

While it may be a bit early to say this was a must-win game for the Spirit, their Dec. 4 match-up with the Guelph Storm was certainly one Saginaw could have used to help their place in the OHL standings.

Instead, the Spirit lost 5-1 in front of a home-ice crowd 2,658  at the Dow Event Center.

Guelph came into the contest holding the final playoff spot in the Western Conference, four points ahead of the Spirit. Saginaw had a dismal record of 3-14 against Western Conference foes, as opposed to their record 8-2-2 versus the East. The game presented a chance for a second straight win against the West and some much needed positive momentum heading into the final leg of their current four-game home stand next week.

“It’s been hot or cold in terms of our play against both conferences,” said general manager and head coach Todd Watson following the loss. “We are winless against Plymouth and London, unbeaten against the Soo, we need to be better that’s for sure.”

Patrick Watling, Spencer Turcotte and Cody McNaughton had a goal and an assist each to pace the Storm attack.

John McFarland got the Spirit off to a good start, scoring an unassisted shorthanded goal at 3:47.

Tanner Richard evened up the score at 9:38, with Andrey Pedan and NcNaughton drawing the assist, and the first period ended in a 1-1 tie.

Watling scored what proved to be the winner with the only goal of the second period at 14:29.

The Storm broke the game wide open scoring three times in the third, with two of the goals coming seven seconds apart from McNaughton and Hunter Garlent. Matt Finn and Pedan had the helpers on the McNaughton goal and Jason Dickinson had the only assist on the Garlent tally. Turcotte finished of the scoring at 16:47 with Tyler Bertuzzi and Watling drawing the assists.

Jake Paterson stopped 31 of 36 shots, as Guelph out-shot Saginaw 36-27. Garret Sparks came up with a super effort in net for the Storm with 26 saves.

Game Notes

Guelph swept the three stars as Watling was named first star, Pedan second and Sparks the third star.

Both teams failed on the power play as Guelph went 0 for 4 and Saginaw 0 for 1.

Saginaw’s home record falls to 6-7, and 11-17-2 overall.

Saginaw will complete their four-game home stand next week with games against the Belleville Bulls and the Erie Otters.