Attack’s Struggles Continue as Playoffs Inch Closer
The hope was that the Owen Sound Attack would skate out of a tough 3-in-3 weekend with 4-of-6 points and help their push for home ice in the playoffs. After getting shutout on Saturday night, the Bears then got doubled up by the Highway 26 rival Barrie Colts 6-3 in a Sunday matinee at the Bayshore.
Right from the opening face-off fans could tell that they were in for an entertaining game, as the teams played with a fast pace, emulating playoff intensity. The Colts though seemed just a half step ahead all game, and that was evident on the opening goal as Evan Vierling beat the Attack up ice and forced a penalty, which resulted in a penalty shot. With the break-away the Colts overage forward made no mistake with a slick forehand-backhand deke. Vierling would be all over the score sheet for Barrie as he collected a het-trick and a pair of assists in a five point afternoon.
Barrie would extend their lead to 2-0 later in the period on the power play, but it was captain Colby Barlow late in period one getting the Bayshore crowd rocking as his wrist shot was too much for Colts goalie Anson Thornton and the 2023 NHL Draft prospect claimed his 44th goal of the season.
As mentioned the Colts were just a half step ahead of Owen Sound all afternoon, as they reclaimed their two goal lead just over a minute into period two. Credit was due for the Attack however, as they never quit and continued to battle all afternoon, and were rewarded by once again pulling within a goal, as Taos Jordan jumped into the rush to take a Barlow feed before firing home his second of the season.
A goal was the closest the Bears were able to claw however, as for every goal the Colts were quick to respond. This held true throughout the third as Kaleb Lawrence again brought the Bears to within a goal, only to see Barrie reclaim the advantage shortly after.
The loss hurts Owen Sound’s playoff push, as they continue to battle and claw for the fourth spot in the Western Conference. A busy month of March will continue for the Attack Wednesday night as the team travels to North Bay the second and final meeting of the season with the Battalion. A return home comes Saturday night when the Bears welcome the Oshawa Generals to the Bayshore for a showdown of two top prospects for the NHL 2023 Draft in Barlow and Generals Callum Ritchie.
