It definitely was not the result the Soo Greyhounds were hoping for, but a late game rally by the Guelph Storm cost the Hounds a much needed point as they continue to find themselves in a dogfight in the tight West Division.
On Sunday night, the Greyhounds put together a solid effort for much of the night but the Storm battled back in the third period to tie the Greyhounds 2-2 in front of 3,491 fans at Memorial Gardens in Ontario Hockey League action.
The Greyhounds dodged a bullet in the opening period when veteran defenceman Brad Staubitz was hit with a double minor for high sticking at 9:23.
After getting through the first half of the penalty unscathed, the Hounds picked up another penalty as another veteran defenceman, Jordan Smith, was nabbed by referee Ryan O'Neill for elbowing which gave the Storm a two-man advantage for 56 seconds.
The storm could not capitalize on their power play chances and the Hounds were able to escape the period, in which they played well at even strength, without any damage.
The Hounds capitalized late in the period when Jacob King knocked a loose puck past Storm goaltender Danny Taylor to give the Hounds something to work with as they took a 1-0 lead into the dressing room after one period.
A scoreless second period, which also saw no penalties called, again saw the Hounds play fairly well at even strength but not able to capitalize on any of their chances. A 12-3 advantage in shots in the period and the Hounds were unable to increase their lead heading into the third period.
The Hounds did capitalize early on in the third period when Jeff Larsh gave the Greyhounds a 2-0 lead to work with in the opening minute of the period.
Not long after, the Storm began to rally. After former Greyhound Ryan Kitchen got the Storm on the board at 6:49, the Storm began to increase the pressure in the Greyhound zone, forcing Hounds netminder Jakub Cech, who stopped 24 shots on the night, to make a number of big saves to keep the Greyhounds in the lead.
Late in the period, Kitchen, who was named the game's first star, struck again as he beat Cech at 17:27 to tie the game at 2-2. Despite some chances both ways in the overtime period, neither team would emerge victorious as the teams settled for the tie.
Hounds coach Craig Hartsburg was more upset than disappointed with the tie after his team held a two goal lead and he felt that the feeling in the dressing room was quite the same.
"We gave away a point tonight," Hartsburg said. "We played strong for most of the game. In the first two periods we were in control. We made two critical mistakes in our own end (that cost us).You can't leave people in the slot and expect your goaltender to make big stops every time. (The tie) should probably make anyone in that dressing room angry."
Hartsburg added that missed chances were another reason the Greyhounds were not able to come out on top as they missed a number of quality chances throughout the game that could have come back to haunt them. The goaltending from Taylor, who stopped 28 shots in the Guelph goal, was solid, but he added that good goaltending is not an excuse.
"We missed some quality chances," Hartsburg said. "Guys that should score had a lot of quality chances but we need to finish those chances. (Good goaltending) is part of the game. Goaltending was good both ways tonight."
The Greyhounds, who kicked off a four-game homestand against Guelph, now prepare for the Sudbury Wolves, who are in town for a 7 p.m. start on Wednesday night at Memorial Gardens.
Friday night will see the Saginaw Spirit in town before the Kingston Frontenacs make their lone appearance in Sault Ste. Marie on Sunday.
*** AROUND THE O:
In other Ontario Hockey League action on Sunday, all eyes were on the Sudbury arena as people looked in to see if the London Knights could continue their unbeaten streak and that they did as they defeated the Wolves 3-0.
Gerald Coleman stopped 28 shots for the shutout and Rob Schremp scored twice in the win, which was London's 15th straight. The Knights are now 25-0-1 on the season, which sets a new Ontario Hockey League record as the longest unbeaten streak in league history, previously held by the 1983-84 Kitchener Rangers.
The Brandon Wheat Kings hold the Canadian Hockey League record when they posted a 29 game unbeaten streak of 24-0-5 in the 1978-79 season.
In other action Julian Talbot had three goals and an assist as Ottawa beat Oshawa 6-3. Bryan Bickell and Derek Joslin each chipped in with a goal and two assists while Jakub Petruzalek also chipped in with three helpers in the victory.
The Windsor Spitfires, who are in a battle with the Greyhounds and the Plymouth Whalers for top spot in the West Division, received a 41-save performance from Kyle Knechtel and goals from four different players as the beat the Toronto St. Michael's Majors 4-2.
A 37-save performance from Mike Brown was spoiled by third period goals from Liam Reddox and Greg Stewart as the Peterborough Petes beat the Saginaw Spirit 5-3. Aaron Dawson, Trevor Hendrikx and Peter Aston each had a pair of assists in the win while Jordan Morrison added a goal and an assist for the Pete in the victory.
Michael Ouzas stopped 27 shots for Mississauga while Josh Disher stopped 38 for Erie as the IceDogs and Otters settle for a 1-1 tie. Anthony Butera scored for Mississauga while Sean O'Connor scored for Erie.
A two goal performance from Luke Lynes and a two assist performance from Howie Martin led the Brampton Battalion to a 5-1 victory over the Kingston Frontenacs.