Attack Fall Back to Earth in Loss to Rangers
A night following a big win over rivals London Knights, the Owen Sound Attack fell back to earth Saturday night at the Bayshore, as they dropped a 4-1 contest to the Kitchener Rangers.
It looked like the Bears would pick up the momentum from their big Friday night win, as Nicholas Porco opened the scoring just under four minutes into the contest. The goal gave Porco tallies in four straight, with five goals total over that stretch.
It wasn’t long after gaining the lead, that the Attack saw the ice tilt towards their end. The Rangers began to press, and were clearly the hungrier team, as they continue to fight for their place in the playoffs.
Having to battle for one of the two remaining spots, Kitchener evened the game just after the 10 minute mark of the first period. It looked as though the Rangers had taken the lead only a few minutes later, but the goal was overturned because of an offside upon entering the zone. The break did nothing to get the Attack to wake up, as they finished the opening frame sluggish, just holding on to the 1-1 score.
The second period was all Kitchener, as the Attack had maybe a total of four minutes of offensive zone time, and found themselves trailing 3-1 going into the final frame.
Tempers started to flare, both late in the second and into the third, as both Cedricson Okitundu and Nolan Seed got into altercations with Rangers player’s. A slew foot on Deni Goure to begin the third period did nothing to calm the game, as Kitchener’s Mitchell Martin was given a match penalty. Unfortunately, Owen Sound was unable to capitalize with a full five minute power play, and the Rangers added to their lead just minutes after the successful kill.
The loss stalls the Attacks chances of overtaking Guelph for 5th in the West, as both teams are currently tied with 72 points, with Guelph having two games in hand. Owen Sound is back in action next Wednesday April 13 when they welcome the Barrie Colts for their final meeting of the season. This game will mark the final trip to the Bayshore for long time Attack goalie Mack Guzda.
Fans are reminded that next Wednesday’s game is a reschedule from both January 5th and March 30th. With tickets from either date being valid for entry.
