A Good News, Bad News Friday Night for the Attack
Starting with the good news on Friday night, the SOO Greyhounds lost their game agains the Sarnia Sting which helped move the Owen Sound Attack closer to clinching a playoff position for the 2023 OHL Playoffs. The bad news was an 8-3 drubbing that the Attack took at the hands of the Kitchener Rangers at the Memorial Auditorium.
On a night where both Owen Sound and Kitchener had clinching scenarios, it was just the Rangers who took advantage as the Attack once again struggled to keep up with a fast pace opponent. The Bears can still walk out of the weekend with a playoffs spot secure, as long as they acquire at least a point in Saturday night’s tilt agains the Oshawa Generals at the Bayshore.
The game began in a semi perfect fashion for Owen Sound, as during an early game penalty kill captain Colby Barlow was able to force a turnover at the blue line before beating the Rangers defender down the ice to have a clean cut breakaway opportunity. Barlow made no mistake, as the top 2023 NHL Draft prospect made no mistake going upstairs blocker side on Rangers goalie Marco Costantini. The shorthanded marker, along with some stellar goaltending by Nick Chenard were the lone bright spots for the Attack early on in the game, as the Rangers hounded the puck all over the ice, sending the Bears to the intermission trailing 2-1.
The second period, though the Attack had looks, was all Kitchener as the Rangers piled on a pair of power play goals, as they extended their lead to 5-1 heading into the final 20 minutes of play.
Owen Sound looked to mount a third period comeback, as Deni Goure converted on the door step just nine seconds into an Attack power play early in the period. Though the hockey gods were just not on Owen Sound’s side tonight, as shortly after the Goure goal, Kitchener would restore their four goal lead, and then extend it to five just moments later.
Sam Sedley would snipe his sixth of the season, though originally called no-goal, but later confirmed after review. It was just moments later when Goure looked to bring the Attack to within three goals, but this one did not get reviewed for a good goal and instead the Rangers went the other way during the play and scored their eighth of the night.
Again, Owen Sound can clinch a playoff spot with just a single point tomorrow night at the Bayshore when they welcome the Generals. Tickets for the game are very limited but fans can inquire at the MacVicor and McComb Sutton Realty Attack Box Office by calling 519-371-7452 or going online.
