Attack Fall to Firebirds in Playoff Type Atmosphere
The intensity was apartment right from opening puck drop as the Owen Sound Attack and Flint Firebirds engaged in a playoff style battle Saturday night at the Bayshore. It was the visiting Firebirds who were able to secure a 4-2 win with a late third period goal.
The pace was fast as both teams came out of the gate hungry to play, but it was a defensive battle for much of the opening 20 minutes. Owen Sound had some quality looks on the Flint net, but Firebirds goalie Nathan Day stood tall as he kept the potent Attack offence off the board. The goose eggs were broken with just under a minute to play in the opening period, as Flint was able to blast home a power play marker by Attack rookie goalie Carter George.
George, who was called up earlier in the day got the nod for his fifth OHL start, but it was an unfortunate result as the young net minder would suffer his first career OHL loss in a stellar effort.
The visitors would claim a two goal lead just a few minutes into period two, as the Attack got lost in coverage and a Firebirds player was all alone to clean up a rebound opportunity.
Going down by a pair seemed to awaken the Attack, as they upped the offensive pressure. Though keeping the Bears offence off the score board for more than a period, the egg was gonna crack for Day and it cracked hard, as the Attack netted a pair of goals just 34 seconds apart. It was first captain Colby Barlow, who made a fancy chip play to get around the Flint defender, before Jackson Stewart slammed home a juicy rebound in the slot to pull the game even at 2-2.
Owen Sound thought they had scored the go-ahead goal later in period two, as Barlow wired home his second of the night, but the play was called back for off-side upon a review.
Both teams looked content to play the game into overtime for much of period three, as neither was eager to make any over aggressive plays on the puck. Like it was for the Firebirds second goal, the Attack got lost on defensive coverage as the visitors were able to find the open-man in the low slot for the go-ahead goal late in the game.
Owen Sound would press for the equalizer but it was Flint securing the win with an empty netter with 37 seconds left on the clock.
The Attack will enjoy a week off before they welcome exceptional status Micheal Misa and his Saginaw Spirit to the Bayshore for the first time this season. The game is also the Hockey for Hospice charity night, as the Attack will be wearing specialty jerseys for the game. For more information on the Hockey for Hospice game details can be found here, as tickets are becoming limited for next Saturday fans are encouraged to contact the MacVicor and McComb Sutton Realty Attack Box Office by calling 519-371-7452 or going online.
