Dmitri Samorukov’s hat trick helps Guelph Storm stave off elimination

Dmitri Samorukov’s hat trick against the Saginaw Spirit helped the Guelph Storm avoid elimination on Friday night in a 4-0 victory in Game 5 of their best-of-seven Western Conference Championship series.

Guelph now trails 3-2 in the series with Game 6 on home ice Sunday afternoon.

READ MORE: Saginaw Spirit top Guelph Storm to take 3-1 series lead

It took until the 5:33 mark of the second period for the Samorukov to open the scoring.

The Edmonton Oilers prospect assisted on Isaac Ratcliffe’s goal 10 minutes later to make 2-0 and then picked up a powerplay goal two minutes later to make it 3-0.

He completed the hat trick late in the game.

Nick Suzuki assisted on every Storm goal and Anthony Popovich made 20 saves for the shutout.

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Spirit netminder Tristan Lennox made 39 saves in a losing effort.

READ MORE: Guelph Storm bounce back with Game 3 victory over Saginaw Spirit

Game 6 is scheduled for Sunday afternoon at the Sleeman Centre in downtown Guelph.

Larry Mellott will have the call on 1460 CJOY at 2 p.m. ET.