The team had another great turnout as the Buffalo Storm fans packed into the stands for the 2nd time in 3 days, the game did not disappoint although the Storm almost did, as they almost let a sure win slip away.
Two Storm rookies struck early and often in the games first quarter as Rob Szymkowiak opened the scoring on a goal from Joe Bodkin, while Dan Wasielewski scored his 2nd of the season from Captain Kevin Fischer. Szymkowiak and Wasielewski would once again find their names on the scoresheet in the games 1st quarter as the Storm completely dominated the Power; Szymkowiak scored a highlight reel goal on a great individual effort while “Waz” put the Storm ahead by 4 with his 2nd of the night.
Not to be out done, the Power started a short lived comeback with 2 goals early in the games 2nd quarter; bringing the score to within 2 in less than 5 minutes. Jason Francabandiero continued his hot streak by scoring his 6th goal in 2 games by going almost the entire length of the rink by himself, just minutes later Franco would hook up Fischer on the power play for his 5th goal of the season. The Storm went into halftime playing some of their best team hockey ever as they held a commanding 6-2 lead over the Power; all the team had to do was continue to play their game and they could cruise to an easy victory in front of their home crowd.
The games 2nd half started much different than the 1st as the Power seemed to wake up from their 24 minute slumber. Although defenseman Justin Banaszak scored early in the 3rd, on one of the prettiest passing plays you will ever see to put the team up 7-2; the Storm ran into some problems halfway through the quarter and found themselves making mistake after mistake, which resulted in goal after goal by the Power. Mike Gose and Cameron Sault would bring the Power within 2 goals before the end of the 3rd; then less than 1 minute into the 4th Eric Speedy scored his 2nd of the game to bring the Power within 2, at 7-6.
Sault completed his hat trick for the Power and knotted the game at 7 halfway through the 4th;, it seemed at this point that the Powers dominating 2nd half performance had put the Storm completely out of the game. Had it not been for the man standing between the pipes for the Storm, Hamilton would have put the game out of reach; but Rich Latona stood strong for his teammates making key save after key save as Hamilton bombarded the keeper with shots in the 4th. A key poke check by Latona on a Hamilton breakaway with about 6 minutes remaining would prove to turn the tables for the Storm, Joe Bodkin recovered a loose puck and sent Fischer on his way to scoring the game winner seconds later; Bodkin finished the night with 3 assists and a solid +4 rating. Francabandiero added an insurance goal on the power play with 15 ticks of the clock remaining to seal the Storms 4th victory of the season; 9-7.
The Storm look to keep their perfect home record intact as they welcome the Chatham Maroons to the Cheektowaga Recreation Center on Saturday, June 24 at 7:30 PM. Come out and support the Storm as they continue their quest for their first GLi Championship. Admission to all home games is free and fans get to participate in games and raffles throughout the course of the game to win great Storm prizes. “Come out and weather the Storm!
