GUELPH, Ontario – The offensive onslaught continued against the Erie Otters on Friday night.

Guelph handed the Otters a 10-2 loss in front of 2,806 at Sleeman Centre. Erie enters today’s 7 pm. home opener against Oshawa having been outscored 21-6 in a season-opening, three-game losing streak.

The Otters’ young defense, which features four rookies and has lost second-year player Adam Pelech to a wrist injury, has allowed 131 shots on goal in those three games.

On this night, Zack Mitchell led the Storm’s offense with three goals and an assist. Francis Menard had a goal and three assists.

Ryan Horvat (two goals, assist), Ben Harpur (goal, two assists), Cody McNaughton (goal, two assists) and Tanner Richard (goal, two assists) had three points apiece for the Storm (2-1-0-1). Chris Festarini allowed all 10 goals on 38 shots for the Otters (0-3-0-0).

The Otters erased nearly all of a 3-0 deficit with goals from Mike Cazzola and Mac McDonnell in the second period. Rookie winger Nick Betz assisted on McDonnell’s goal for his first career point.

But the Storm scored the game’s final seven goals. The start of the game was delayed by 20 minutes because a closure on the Queen Elizabeth Way in Ontario left the team bus stuck in traffic.

SUMMARY

Storm 10, Otters 2

Erie  0  2  0  —  2

Guelph  3  3  4  —  10

1^st Period — 1. Guelph, Ben Harpur 1 (Auger, Garlent), 1:15. 2. Guelph, Tanner Richard 1 (Horvat, Kosmachuk), 2:15. 3. Guelph, Zack Mitchell 1 (Menard, McNaughton), 18:40. Penalties — McKegg (E) checking from behind, 4:01; Foote (G) delay of game, 5:14; Cazzola (E) hooking, 7:42; McKegg (E) goaltender interference, 12:40; Leslie (G) slashing, 13:33.

2^nd Period — 4. Erie, Mike Cazzola 1 (unassisted), 1:22. 5. Erie, Mac McDonnell 1 (Betz), 13:25. 6. Guelph, Mitchell 2 (McNaughton), 16:33. 7. Guelph, Ryan Horvat 1 (Richard), 16:45. 8. Guelph, Horvat 2 (unassisted), 19:10 (sh). Penalties — Auger (G) hooking, 7:34; Wood (E) 5-min. fighting, 12:01; Bertuzzi (G) 5-min. fighting, 12:01; Leslie (G) slashing, 18:07.

3^rd Period — 9. Guelph, Cody McNaughton 4 (Kosmachuk, Richard), 1:10. 10. Guelph, Kyle Pereira 2 (Leslie, Menard), 2:57. 11. Guelph, Mitchell 3 (Menard, Harpur), 13:42. 12. Guelph, Francis Menard 3 (Mitchell, Harpur), 17:50. Penalties — Cazzola (E) slashing, 3:13; Pereira (G) cross checking, 3:13; McGuire (E) slashing, 10:41; McGuire (E) 5-min. fighting, 10:41; McNaughton (G) 5-min. fighting, 10:41; McGuire (E) game misconduct, 10:41.

Shots on goal — Erie, 15-8-7—33; Guelph, 15-6-17—38.

Goaltenders — Erie, Chris Festarini 0-2-0-0 (36 shots, 26 saves); Guelph, Brandon Foote (4 shots, 4 saves), Garret Sparks 1-1-0-1 (29 shots, 27 saves).

Power plays — Erie (0-4), Guelph (0-3).

Referees — Matt Parlette, Ben Wilson. Linesmen — Tim Steen.

Attendance — 2,806.

Three stars

* Zack Mitchell, Storm (3 goals, assist) ** Ryan Horvat, Storm (2 goals, assist) *** Tanner Richard, Storm (goal, 2 assists)