Sam Lofquist has found a home in Guelph after struggling to fit in at the University of Minnesota.

This reporter loves the way he plays the game. Early in contests he is more conservative defensively but if he finds his club behind in the third period he is the first one to lead a rush up the ice looking for the equalizer. He seems to have a sense as to when to go.

“I do feel it is a valuable ability to know when to take a chance and when to hold back, especially in the third period,” said Lofquist.

“The third period is when the best players make a difference and I like to try and be a game changer.”

Storm general manager and coach Jason Brooks went after Lofquist hard when it became known he wasn’t happy there.

“The family came to watch a playoff game a couple years ago when we beat London in the first round and really liked the way our defence played,” said Brooks, still recovering from his recent back surgery.

“Drew (Doughty) and Michael (Caruso) both had strong games and (then GM) Dave Barr met with them soon after. But they decided on Minnesota and then I went down to see him last year and saw his great shot from the point.”

That shot and the fact he is quite willing to pass the puck off to a teammate has greatly improved the power play. Near the bottom of the league when he arrived, it has now climbed to ninth in the league performing at a 19.3 per cent efficiency.

“When I’m on the power play I just like to slow things down,” said Lofquist, who has been on a point a game pace since joining the Storm.

“I like quarterbacking the power play and trying to put myself in the best position to shoot or dish off to my teammates.”

“Offensively he’s a dangerous weapon and he really contributes on the power play” said Brooks. “He’s not afraid to shoot and is usually able to get his shot through.”

Giving up his NCAA scholarship is not something he will talk about, only to say that things “didn’t work out.”

He does plan to go back and start working on his business degree this summer at Minnesota before returning to the Storm as an overage player in the fall.

“I’m having so much fun here,” said Lofquist, who played hockey at the Shattuck St. Mary’s prep school in Minnesota just like fellow alumni Sidney Crosby, Jonathan Toews and Zach Parise. “It has been just awesome. I couldn’t ask for anything more, well, except we have to make the playoffs now.”

Lofquist has solidified himself as a “must have” as an overage player for next season. You can tell he just loves to play the game.

“Its true, I love everything about hockey,” he said. “Whether

‘I do feel it is a valuable ability to know when to take a chance and when to hold back, especially in the third period’ its scoring on the power play or shutting down the other team’s top line, it’s all fun.”

Of all the moves that Brooks has made this season, the addition of Sam Lofquist has been his best.

From the Land of Oz . . . Guelph lost in 5-1 in Windsor last Thursday night, hammered Owen Sound 6-1 Friday night and then lost a 3-2 decision in overtime to the Attack on Friday. So that leaves them six points behind the 8th place Attack with three games in hand. They are also seven points behind Saginaw and Erie with games in hand . . . Guelph hits the road for three games in three days this coming weekend. They’re at Kingston Friday (7:30 p. m.), Belleville Saturday (7:05 p. m.) and Ottawa Sunday (2 p. m.) . . . Guelph’s next home game is Wednesday Feb. 10 when Plymouth visits for a 7 p. m. game at the Sleeman Centre.

OHL WESTERN CONFERENCE STANDINGS

Team ... Games played ... PTS. Windsor Spitfires...52...85 London Knights...50...72 Kitchener Rangers...51...68 Plymouth Whalers...52...63 SSM Greyhounds...51...57 Saginaw Spirit...50...53 Erie Otters...51...53 Owen Sound Attack...52...52 Guelph Storm...49...46 Sarnia Sting...52...31