No post-NHL camp blues here.
Drafted players returning to their junior teams after a stint at an NHL training camp often experience a period of adjustment, more of the mental variety than a physical one.
But none of that was evident Friday night as Washington Capitals draft pick Cam Allen was the best player on the ice as the Guelph Storm opened its season with a 6-4 win over the Owen Sound Attack at the Sleeman Centre.
Six different players scored for the Storm, who led 4-1 after the first period and 5-2 after two.
"That's what you expect out of a 19-year-old defenceman," said Storm coach Cory Stillman in applauding Allen's effort, which was rock solid at both ends of the ice.
"There will be a lull. I just hope it's not for a bit," Stillman said. "It's tough to come back to the league ... we expect big thing out of him. He's going to play some minutes and it's also for him to help the younger defenceman to learn how to play and play the right way."
Allen said consistency is his goal this season.
"Get out of a game being consistent. That's what I was told to do in Washington. It's not about the goals and the assists," said Allen, who had one of each in Friday's win.
Two players scored in their first OHL games for Guelph Friday, with Alex McLean and Daniil Skvortsov netting puck savers. Wil McFadden, Jake Karabela, Ryan McGuire and Allen had the other goals. Rookie Nolan Stevens had two assists.
Ten different Storm players had at least one point.
Brayden Gillespie faced 27 shots in the Storm net. Guelph had just 19 shots on Owen Sound backup Matt Koprowski.
"It's going to take all four lines and it's going to take some of the younger guys to learn how to play our style of game and help them fit in," Allen said.
"Know what you're doing on the ice, on the faceoffs, and just be prepared. Leave the thinking out of it," said Allen. "Learn not to think and just do it. Cory's said that to us a few times."
The Storm played without four regulars, as Jett Luchanko and Vilmer Alriksson remain at NHL camps, Max Namestnikov sat out the last game of a suspension picked up in last year's playoffs and Tommy Budnick was ill.
Guelph plays in Owen Sound Saturday night. Next home game is Friday when Sault Ste. Marie visits.
