Attack Aim to Right Ship with Divisional Matchups
It’s been a rough stretch for the Owen Sound Attack of recent, but what better way to right the ship than a week full of Midwest Divisional games. Having suffered a lose in the Family Day battle of Highway 6 against the Storm, the Attack now focus on their three other divisional rivals from Erie, Kitchener and London.
The first kick at the can for the Bears comes Wednesday night when the Erie Otters visit the Bayshore for the final clash this season between the teams. The Otters visit the Bayshore at the perfect time, as the Bears have found success against their division rivals, sporting a 4-1 record so far this season. Though coming out on top in four of the previous five meetings, games between the Otters and Bears this season have been entertaining, including the first game at the Bayshore when the Attack scored five times in the third period to claim a 8-5 comeback win. Though not officially out of playoff contention, Erie sits last in the Western conference and has taken up the role of spoiler for all those vying for better playoff positioning. This includes the Attack as they now find themselves slightly behind the eight ball in the race for home ice advantage.
Friday nights battle will highlight a pair of inconsistent teams, as the Attack travel south to the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium for their fifth of eight meetings with the Rangers. Though the Attack’s struggles have been recent, the Rangers have been an underachieving team all season, and have continued that trend even after bolstering their roster at the trade deadline. The match-up is another favourable one for Owen Sound, who have a 3-1 record against Kitchener this season, but the team’s have not met since the calendar flipped to 2023, and the Rangers remain in striking distance of climbing the Western Conference standings. Regardless, the Friday night tilt at the Aud will be one to watch as the two Midwest rivals aim to get back in the win column and build momentum heading into the final month of the regular season.
Everything wraps up for the Bears with a Saturday night battle against the London Knights at the Bayshore. This game also marks the final meeting between the Midwest rivals, as the Attack look to finish the season series with an even 3-3 split. Not only are the Bears looking to even the season series, but will also have some revenge on their minds after the 9-1 thumping the Attack took during the teams last meeting in London. For their part the Knights have shrugged off a slow start to the season and climbed the league standings to be among the top teams, and heavy favourites for winning a OHL Championship. The timing of the matchup couldn’t work any better for Owen Sound, should they get back in the win column earlier in the week, as they can prove to themselves and the league that they are still a team to feared going into the playoffs.
Fans looking for tickets to the home games they can purchase them online or by calling the MacVicor and McComb Sutton Realty Attack Box Office at 519-371-7452. For Saturday night against London, tickets are becoming limited and fans are encouraged to purchase tickets soon rather than later. To catch the Attack action on the road fans can tune into Rogers TV Grey County Channel 53 or stream the game through CHL TV.
The weekend preview is presented by Joe Tomatoes located in the Galaxy Plaza on the Sunset Strip.
