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Storm Sting Battalion Again (VIDEO & PHOTOS)

Ray Huether celebrates after scoring the game tying goal in the second period. However the Storm put the game away in overtime.

Ray Huether celebrates after scoring the game tying goal in the second period. However the Storm put the game away in overtime. PHOTO by: TOM MARTINEAU

Robby Fabbri worked overtime at Memorial Gardens; literally! The Guelph forward scored a hat trick, including the game winner in extra time, giving the Storm a 5-4 victory. The dagger came with just 13 seconds left on the clock in what was a very thrilling overtime period. Both teams had chances to seal the deal earlier in the frame.

“He’s a dynamic player and very good player. I mean a lot of their goals were because we made some real blunders defensively, especially checking up ice. One pass is beating three guys at a time and those type of things happen and it allows them to turn pucks back and gives them time and space,” shared Stan Butler when asked to comment on Fabbri’s four point night.

The game did not get off to a good start for the Battalion. The Storm managed to score three goals on their first six shots. However, coach Butler was quick to defend his netminder.

“They were pretty nice goals, I mean come on, Jake Smith is one of the top goalies in the league for a reason. Sometime you can have four shots and give four goals if they are the right top of shots. I mean those things happen. They have some talented players and they are really patient with the puck.”

North Bay found itself down 3-1 earlier in the second period and looked to be out of the game. However, the Battalion found new life thanks to Mike Baird’s first OHL goal and Ray Huether’s power play marker midway through the period. It only took 20 seconds though for Guelph to regain the lead, when Tyler Boston charged at the net and was rewarded for his effort. North Bay later tied it again after Brenden Miller threw the puck on net from a bad angle and somehow the puck snuck through the pads of Justin Nichols.

“We have a lot guys that we need them to score right now. It’s nice to see Mike get a goal, Owen Green almost had a goal tonight. You like to see those kids get rewarded and hopefully we can get a little bit from those guys it would help us overall,” said Butler.

It was the first time the Storm were back in North Bay since the two teams met in the OHL finals last season. Guelph won that series in 5 games.