67’s can’t weather the Storm falling 7-5 in Guelph

Scott Kosmachuk scored 3 goals and added 1 assist in a 7-5 Guelph Storm victory over the Ottawa 67’s on Saturday night.

The Storm came out strong scoring three unanswered goals in the first half of the game.  Brock McGinn opened the scoring with a nice short-handed goal less than one minute in grabbing a hold of the initial rebound as the trailing forward.  Specialty teams continued to fair well for the 67’s as Kosmachuk picked up his first goal of the night beating Jacob Blair blocker side on the powerplay.  Zack Mitchell added another Storm goal lifting the puck over Blair’s shoulder and into the net.  Three goals on eight shots sparked Clint Windsor to come in for relief.

Shortly after, the 67’s would finally get on the board with help from their second powerplay opportunity.  Ryan Van Stralen snapped the puck through the five hole of his former teammate Keegan Wilson.  The Storm responded again before the period was over with a late goal from Cody McNaughton.  Not a good period for the 67’s after being outshot 19-7 in the opening frame.

Things didn’t get any better for the 67’s early in the second.  Kosmachuk picked up his second goal of the night less than two minutes in.  McGinn sent a long outlet pass and Kosmachuk streaked in wristing the shot high and into the back of the net.  Off an easy shot from the point, Taylor Fielding got the 67’s back in the game. 

Mitchell added his second of the game off a great outlet pass from Kosmachuk to regain the 3 goal cushion.  However, the 67’s would respond with three unanswered goals in the last two periods.  Nevin Guy picked up his first OHL career goal on the powerplay while Steven Janes and Sean Callaghan added the last two 67’s goals.

The 67’s poured their hearts out in the final minutes but came up short.  Kosmachuk scored on the empty net to complete his hat trick and 4-point game. 

Ottawa drops 0-2-0-0 to start their nine game roadtrip.  With 3 games in 2.5 days and a depleted lineup, they are in tough but look to rebound when they face the Belleville Bulls at the Yardmen Arena tomorrow afternoon.