Anthony Popovich had quite a return to the place he called home for three years on Friday night.
The former Guelph Storm goaltender returned with his new team, the Flint Firebirds, for the first time since being traded for draft picks.
And what a return it was.
Popovich was recognized in a pre-game ceremony and received a nice ovation from the fans, took the pre-game ceremonial face off instead of captain Ty Dellandrea, messed up a shoot-in that resulted in a Storm goal, then assisted on the winning goal in overtime as the Firebirds skated to a 4-3 win.
"It was a bit weird, actually. In warm-up I've never felt like that before," Popovich said of his return to Guelph.
"Ever since I got traded I marked down this day and it was my first time back in Guelph. It was special. It was a good night and all I wanted was a win."
He called the pre-game video played on the scoreboard recognizing him and the on-ice presentation of his OHL championship ring by Storm co-owner Rick Gaetz special.
"It's good to know the fans really enjoyed my time here in Guelph because I loved my time in Guelph," he said. "It's pretty much home to me."
Popovich knew it was time to move on from the rebuilding Storm over the summer and was looking for another chance to be on a winning team.
"I just wanted another chance to win again this year and luckily I was traded to Flint," he said.
Friday's win was the fourth in a row for Flint, a franchise record.
They won it when Riley McCourt polished off a nice feed from Evgeniy Oksentyuk on a two-on-one break, beating Storm netminder Nico Daws from in close.
Guelph had tied the game with the Daws pulled for the extra attacker when Daniil Chayka one-timed a blast from the point that beat Popovich with 1:46 left in regulation.
Chayka also had Guelph's first goal while Jacob Roach had the other, his first in the OHL, after Popovich mishandled a puck behind the Flint net in the second period.
Storm coach George Burnett was again pleased with the team's work ethic and play of the younger players, but he is looking for a bit more from his older players.
"I'm looking at our older guys in the group in the special situations like tonight. That's two overtimes now (losses)," he said. "We need those guys to really elevate their game and take charge of those situations
"It's disappointing to lose after fighting back, but to come back, steal a point and have an opportunity to win is good.
"The first period tonight I thought we were pretty fortunate to be ahead 1-0, because we didn't win a face-off in the first period," Burnett said.
"But our mistakes are all correctable."
The Storm plays on the road Sunday against the Sarnia Sting. Next home game is Friday when the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds visit.
