3-1-1 Storm off to fast start on offense
11/3/2005The Toledo Storm has lost just one game through its first five contests due in large part to consistently lighting the lamp.
Toledo is off to a 3-1-1 start and has scored the second-most goals in the ECHL. Toledo is scoring an average of 4.4 goals per game, led by forwards Scooter Smith and Ken Magowan.
Smith is tied for the league lead in scoring with five goals and six assists. Magowan is tied for second with 10 points (four goals and six assists). Fellow forward Todd Jackson is fourth in the league in scoring with eights points on four goals and four assists.
Storm coach Nick Vitucci consistently has said he is not worried about his team scoring goals. His concern in the early going has been preventing them.
Toledo has given up 3.80 goals per game and is ranked 18th in the 25-team league in goals- against average. The Storms penalty-kill unit is ranked 12th. But Toledo has started three different goaltenders and has allowed only 28.6 shots per game, fifth-best in the league.
I m not worried about our offense. The key is our team defense, Vitucci said. We stress team D because you give yourself a better chance if you take care of things in your own zone.
Goalie Logan Koopmans, who started the season in net, won his only game before suffering a shoulder injury and will likely not play in any of Toledo s three games this weekend. Backup Chad Collins is 1-1-1 with a 2.89 goals-against average. Emergency goalie David Cann won his only start, giving up two goals.
Overall, Vitucci said he is pleased with his team s start.
If we can go 3-1-1 in five-game segments the rest of the season, I d be very happy, Vitucci said.
Toledo goes on the road tomorrow to face Wheeling and then returns home to host Victoria at 7:35 p.m. on Saturday and Reading at 3:05 p.m. on Sunday.
ADAMS HONORED: Defenseman B.J. Adams was named the Reebok Hockey ECHL Plus Performer of the Month after finishing tied for the league lead in plus-minus rating with a plus-6 in October.
Adams, who began his professional career in Toledo in 2000-01, was even or better in four of his five games this year. He was a season-best plus-3 on Oct. 21.
In his fourth season in the ECHL, the 6-foot-2, 205-pound Adams has 53 points (10 goals and 43 assists) in 199 games.
NEW TICKET OPTIONS: The Storm is offering a limited number of tickets for $8 apiece. The tickets can be purchased only at the Toledo Storm hockey office, behind the Sports Arena.
Individual game tickets will be available up to a day prior to each game at the Storm Office. For more information call the hockey office at 419-691-0200.
ODDS AND ENDS: Toledo tallied six goals in a game for the second time this season on Saturday in a 6-2 win over Johnstown. The Storm scored six goals just three times all of last year. Through five games this season, the Storm has taken an average of 37 shots per game, third-most in the ECHL. Storm captain P.J. Martin made his third start of the season Saturday and is plus-3. Toledo has eight power play goals in 42 opportunities this season, which is 10th-best in the ECHL at 19 percent. Cann posted an 11-19-7 record with a 3.39 goals-against average while playing for Johnstown last season. Jonathan Tremblay was recalled to the Cleveland Barons after being assigned to the Storm on Oct. 25.
Contact Mark Monroe at:mmonroe@theblade.com or 419-724-6110.