Battalion’s Robinson helps weather Storm

Brampton still undefeated in pre-season

Brampton's Brandon Robinson corrals the puck as he looks for the hat trick in the third period versus the Guelph Storm on Thursday night. The Battalion won their fourth straight exhibition game.  

BRAMPTON — Brandon Robinson had two goals, including the game winner, to lead the Brampton Battalion to a 5-2 exhibition victory over the Guelph Storm at the Powerade Centre on Thursday night.

Robinson, a second-year player from Pickering, Ont. is showing the offensive upside coach and general manager Stan Butler is expecting to see.

Brennan Feasey, Patrik Machac and Mike Amadio also scored for the Battalion who are now 4-0 in the preseason.

Scott Kosmachuk was the lone bright spot for the Storm, as he had both goals for the team. He also ended the game with a fight, finishing an assist shy of the Gordie Howe hat trick.

The Storm fall to 2-2 in exhibition games.

Guelph dropped behind early, as Robinson struck for his first goal before the game was three minutes old.  A loose puck found the 16-year-old in the slot, he patiently out-waited Jason DaSilva and beat him blocker side.

After a goal by Feasey, Robinson added his second of the night in the middle of the first period. Storm defenceman Ben Harpur turned it over and Robinson picked it up with speed, streaked into the zone and beat DaSilva glove side.

Although Brampton was in control all night, a pair of fights in the third period seemed to wake up the Storm. Kosmachuk scored his second of the night on the power play and Guelph was suddenly within two goals, 4-2, with 15 minutes to play.

However, a quick penalty later followed by Amadio’s first of the night quickly quelled the comeback.

Rookie Jake Smith ended up victorious for the Battalion, as he stopped 18 of 19 shots in net.

First string goalie Matej Machovsky replaced Smith in the middle of the second frame to give him game action. He stopped 19 of 20 shots.

In the other end, DaSilva was pretty solid despite the five goals against.

Three of those came of the garbage variety, where the puck seemed to have eyes for the Battalion finding its way past the Kitchener, Ont. native through skates, sticks, and anything else that seemed to be in the way.

The most important thing for Brampton is the way the forwards are playing.

Robinson has three goals in a trio of exhibition games and his line of Patrik Machac and training camp walk-on Mat Santos dominated at times in the first and the offence that the Battalion so desperately needs may be found in their hands.

Brampton and the Storm play their final exhibition game in a re-match in Guelph on Friday.

About this article

By: Evan Peaslee
Posted: Sep 14 2012 12:06 am
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Filed under: Hockey Sports
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