Bears Roar to 5-2 Victory over Sting
The Owen Sound Attack put an end to their 8-game slide with a statement 5-2 victory over the visiting Sarnia Sting on Wednesday night. Sam McCue had two goals, while Antonio Tersigni, Tristan Delisle and Landen Hookey added goals for the Attack, while Matthew Koprowski made 23 saves for the win. Ruslan Karimov countered with 2 goals for the Sting.
Long stoppages plagued the Attack and Stings ability to get a real flow to the first period, with both teams exchanging minor opportunities most of the way. The Sting did find a way to capitalize on the Attack when Ruslan Karimov was sprung on a breakaway with 3:30 remaining in the first. Karimov made a nice move but Koprowski stood his ground, unfortunately, as he tried to sit on the puck is slid out and just over the line. This was confirmed after a long review giving the Sting a 1-0 lead. The Attack would continue to push and being to control the play late in the period, giving them a late power play. During the power play, the Sting forward Easton Wainwright would lay a hit on overage defenceman Alec Leonard, resulting in Leonard leaving the game and not returning and Wainwright being assessed a five minute major for boarding with just 2 seconds left in the opening frame.
The Attack opened the second period on a two-man advantage, that was quickly cut short when Tristan Delisle was called for hooking just 44 seconds into the period. While 4-on-4 the Attack were able to tie the game, when James Petrovski gathered the puck behind the Sarnia net, dropping it to Hookey who spotted McCue all alone in front. Wasting no time Hookey made the backhand pass to McCue who riffled it over Nick Surzycia’s blocker. Unfortunately for the Attack that was all they were able to get during the major penalty. It was the Sting that would strike next when Ruslan Karimov notched his second of the game off a pass from Kaeden Johnston. The Attack continued their no quit mentality and before the break were able to even up the score at 2. Jake Crawford started the opportunity stealing the puck just outside the Sarnia blue line and drawing in the Sting defenders then sliding it over to a wide open Tersigni who ripped one past the blocker of Surzycia with under 10 seconds to play in the period, leaving the score 2-2 heading into the final frame.
The Attack came out determined to finish off the game in period three and did just that continuing the determined play that has led to their successes this season. Delisle gave the Attack their first lead of the game, just over three minutes into the period, when he was sprung on a breakaway and despite not converting didn’t give up on the play. Rafik Varosyan followed the play up the ice and went into the corner and retrieved the puck and quickly threw the puck to the front of the net to a wide open Delisle who roofed it over the glove of Surzycia to make it 3-2. The Bears extended their lead a little after the mid-way point of the period when Hookey ripped home his eighth of the season off a clean offensive draw win by Delisle, giving the Attack a two goal lead, 4-2. Three minutes later McCue all but sealed the game when he was sprung on a breakaway thanks to a Koprowski save and a quick pass from Petrovski. He went forehand, backhand and lifted it over the glove of Surzycia to make it 5-2 Attack. This was all the Attack needed taking home their fourth victory of the season.
Uo next for the Attack is the final two games of their 5-game homestead this weekend. The Attack will hit the ice at the Bayshore on Saturday night at 7pm against the Kitchener Rangers for their annual Hockey Fights Cancer game, before closing out the homestead against the Sudbury Wolves on Sunday afternoon at 2pm in the teams second Investment Planning Counsel Sunday which will include a skate with the team following the game.
Tickets for all Attack games can be purchased at the MacVicar & McComb Sutton Realty Attack Box Office, over the phone at 519-371-7452 and online at tickets.attackhockey.com.
