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Storm wore special jerseys Saturday night in support of the 3D Chaarity Hockey group. Photo courtesy Shaun Penner/EverythingGP
By Jeff Henson
GP STORM

Offence dries up as Storm fall again to Crusaders

Feb 2, 2020 | 9:45 AM

After a disappointing effort Friday night against Sherwood Park, Storm coach Ryan Aasman was looking for his club to step up their play in the rematch on Saturday.

While the club did play much better, they could not find a way to beat Crusaders goalie Carter Gylander, who stopped all 24 shots he faced in a 4-0 win for Sherwood Park.

“I thought (Friday night) was very uncharacteristic of our group to have a low work ethic and a low attitude in terms of being a team mate.” said Aasman after the game. “I thought we responded well. We had our chances but just could not capitalize, which has been the story of the season for us.”

“We got to find a way to find some scoring and create it and keep teaching it to this young group.”

Despite being out-shot 19-6 in the first period, the Storm were only down 1-0 as AJHL scoring leader Arjun Atwal tallied in the final minute of the period.

Atwal would add a pair of assists later in the game to become the first AJHL player to hit the 90 point mark this season.

The Storm would actually out shoot the Crusaders 18-14 over the final two periods, but would give up a second period marker to Michael Benning, and third period goals to William Zapernick and Jacob Franczyk, with the latter goal being scored into an empty net.

“At the end of the day, we have to find ways to score and to win hockey games.” added Aasman. “We are back in a bit of a slump. We have always worked hard, our practice standards have been higher, it just needs to start coming into game situations.”

The Storm have now gone five straight games without a win.

After a few days off, the Storm will return to the practice ice on Tuesday as they prepare for a stretch of six games in eight days.

It starts Friday night in Drayton Valley before games Saturday in Sherwood Park and Sunday in Spruce Grove.

The Storm will then return home to face Drayton Valley on February 11th and 12th, and the Calgary Canucks on the 14th.

by Jeff Henson