The Guelph Storm scored four unanswered goals to eventually take the win in a shootout in Brantford's white-out game.
The Brantford Civic Centre was rocking on Wednesday night in a thrilling matchup. The Bulldogs had their "white-out" game, with hundreds of rally towels waving in the stands. This is a matchup that had a lot of energy to it, and a lot of offence.
The first goal came off the stick of Blackhawks prospect Nick Lardis, who potted his 9th of the season. This one was a typical Lardis goal, a quick entry on the rush, and a curl-and-drag shot from the top of the circles. Bulldogs commentator Reid Duthie called it a "Lardis Laser" as the home team took a 1-0 lead into the second.
The next three goals came in quick fashion; Luca Testa finds the rebound on the power play, and Senators prospect Jorian Donovan scores two in under a minute. The offensively-minded defender put his team up 4-0, not even halfway through the game.
After the ten minute mark in the second period, it was time for the Storm to have their turn. First, it was Guelph's captain Braeden Bowman who put his team on the board with his 4th of the season. Less than two minutes later, it was Max Namestnikov who brought the score to 4-2.
To end the second period, Braeden Bowman had a shot that appeared to bounce off of the cross-bar as time expired. But when the referees looked back on the play, the shot entered the net. Bowman gets his second of the night, bringing his team within just one.
During the intermission, Guelph's momentum never waivered. They earned another power play just over a minute into the period, and Max Namestnikov makes no mistake down low. He maneuvers his way from the side of the goal to right in front, where he's able to get the shot off in tight. The game is tied at four.
The Storm miraculously scored four unanswered goals to tie the game, Bowman with two, and Namestnikov with two. The shots were 37-17 through regulation, in favour of the Bulldogs. Storm goaltender and goaltender of the week, Brayden Gillespie put on another amazing performance to get his team back in the game. Guelph's power play really allowed them to get back in this game, as they went 2-for-3 on the night, while the Bulldogs went 1-for-7.
Regulation expired, and this thrilling matchup was headed to overtime at the Civic Centre. No one could find the back of the net in extra-time, and this game was headed to a shootout.
Braeden Bowman and Cole Brown were both denied on the first attempt. 2024 Draft-eligible forward Jett Luchenko — who had an impressive performance with three assists — got the first goal, beating Matteo Drobac with a slick move. The Bulldogs were not able to answer, as Nick Lardis missed. To conclude the shootout, Brayden Gillespie made a phenomenal second-effort stop on Jorian Donovan to earn his team the win.
Guelph steals the win on the road against the Bulldogs, as they improve to nine wins on the season, and second in the Midwest Division. A thrilling matchup between two cross-division teams; a four goal lead, a four goal comeback, a slick move, and a phenomenal save to end the game.