Storm shuts down London
Low-key coach George Burnett and the Guelph Storm completed an improbable Ontario Hockey League comeback tonight with a 6-3 road win over the London Knights to advance to the Western Conference finals.
The stunning upset gave no. 4 seed Guelph a four games to three series victory over no. 1 seed London.
The Storm overcame the ominous odds of being down three games to none to win four straight outings and fashion a comeback for the ages.
Even when Guelph was down three games and facing elimination, the unflappable Burnett refused to panic or concede defeat and with that nature, he did not put any added pressure on his Storm troopers.
Forward Mackenzie Entwistle, a trade-deadline acquisition by Guelph from reigning OHL champion Hamilton Bulldogs, scored twice to pace the Storm past London in tonight’s Game 7 sizzler.
Guelph will now play the no. 2 seed Saginaw Spirit in the Western Conference championship series.
As for Burnett, the Guelph coach-general manager immediately responded to a call from Hockey News North shortly after tonight’s victory.
“I am very proud of how the team responded … we got some great leadership from our top players,” Burnett told Hockey News North.
Burnett added that the Storm will “take a few minutes to let this sink in and get ready to play the Saginaw Spirit.”
PHOTO: Guelph Storm coach-general manager George Burnett.
Love it! What’s amazing to me is Burnett shipped Merkley and Bertuzzi out and then acquired all the Owen Sound talent to truly load up! Well done Guelph! Should be a great Western Conference Final versus a solid Saginaw Spirit team! Wish it was on the local cable package!
I have much respect for George. Always have.
That was sweet. Guelph always runs a top-notch organization. Keep it going, George.