Storm winger Justin Auger picked the perfect time to complete his first career OHL Hat Trick as he scored a highlight reel goal with 4.4 seconds remaining to lift Guelph to an exciting 5-4 win at the Sleeman Centre.

After Auger tied the game at one midway through the opening period, the Whalers scored a pair of goal unanswered to grab a two goal lead with less than 18 minutes to play.

Jason Dickinson started the Storm rally with a brilliant individual effort.  The Georgetown native raced up his off wing, cut behind the Plymouth defenders and neatly tucked his fourth of the season past a sprawling Matt Mahalak.  Minutes later, Guelph pulled even for the first time since the opening minutes of the contest on an Andrey Pedan point shot through traffic that handcuffed the Plymouth netminder.  Then with the score tied and the crowd still buzzing, Auger gave the Storm their first lead of the contest with a one timer from the high slot for his second of the night. 

Not happy with the Whalers' collapse, Mike Vellucci calmed his club down with a timeout.  The veteran Plymouth squad responded with the equalizer off the rush by Rickard Rackell at 11:14 and set the stage for an exciting climax.  Tied at four for almost eight full minutes, Auger used his long reach to dangle around a pair of Plymouth blueliners before sliding the game winner behind Mahalak. 

Winners of three in a row after solid wins over London, Windsor and now Plymouth, the Storm will look to make it four straight with their third game in three nights tomorrow evening in Owen Sound.  Then next Friday, Connor McDavid, just the second 15 year old forward to be declared eligible for the OHL Draft as an 'exceptional player' makes his first regular season appearance in Guelph with the Erie Otters. 

Plymouth Whalers 4 at Guelph Storm 5 - Status: End of Game
Friday, October 5, 2012 - Sleeman Centre

Plymouth 2 0 2 - 4
Guelph 1 0 4 - 5

1st Period-1, Plymouth, Curcuruto 1 (Carrick, Mahalak), 1:30 (PP). 2, Guelph, Auger 2 (Watling, Fabbri), 9:57. 3, Plymouth, Payne 3 (Carrick), 16:07. Penalties-Leslie Gue (interference), 0:29; Mistele Ply (high sticking), 2:14; Payne Ply (too many men), 4:29; Malysa Ply (slashing), 4:52; Richard Gue (roughing), 4:52; Hartman Ply (tripping), 11:29; Harpur Gue (cross checking), 18:08.

2nd Period- No Scoring.Penalties-Bratina Ply (hooking), 15:54; Pedan Gue (high sticking, high sticking), 18:44.

3rd Period-4, Plymouth, Noesen 3 (Wilson), 2:22 (PP). 5, Guelph, Dickinson 4 (Pedan), 3:51. 6, Guelph, Pedan 2 (Richard), 6:56. 7, Guelph, Auger 3 (Horvat, Watling), 7:29. 8, Plymouth, Rakell 3 (Wilson, Noesen), 11:14. 9, Guelph, Auger 4 (Finn, Horvat), 19:55. Penalties-Rakell Ply (interference), 0:10; Wilson Ply (roughing), 8:23; Horvat Gue (roughing), 8:23; Carrick Ply (hooking), 8:50; Hartman Ply (interference), 13:08; Wilson Ply (charging), 16:20; Kosmachuk Gue (hooking), 17:17.

Shots on Goal-Plymouth 10-11-12-33. Guelph 9-7-14-30.
Power Play Opportunities-Plymouth 2 / 4; Guelph 0 / 7.
Goalies-Plymouth, Mahalak 1-0-1-1 (30 shots-25 saves). Guelph, Sparks 3-2-0-0 (33 shots-29 saves).
A-0
Referees-Dave Koziel (8), Korey Bannerman (15).
Linesmen-Jason Finley (37), Ryan Wilson (54).