Attack Push Back but Come up Short in Game Two
After a disastrous game one Friday night, the Owen Sound Attack bounced back Sunday afternoon in a thrilling game two at the Budweiser Gardens, but ultimately fell short in a 5-4 overtime loss to the London Knights, giving London the 2-0 series lead.
After going 0-4 on the power play in game one, Owen Sound was able to get things clicking Sunday afternoon with the extra man as Colby Barlow scored twice on the power play, including opening the scoring just over 11 minutes into the game. It was the first lead the Attack held in the series, but only lasted about five minutes, as the Knights pulled back even late in period one to send the teams to the dressing rooms tied 1-1.
Owen Sound struggled with penalties in game one, though going 5-6 when short-handed, it stalled the Attack from gaining any offensive traction. A similar scenario played out during period two Sunday, as Owen Sound found themselves a man short four times, and had two potential power play opportunities thwarted with coincidental minors being called. As a result of the parade to the box, Owen Sound found themselves trailing 3-1 going into the final period, a score that could have been worse if not for stellar goaltending by Corbin Votary in the Attack net.
As the final period started, it looked as though London was going to play keep away from the Attack, as the Knights held possession for long stretches. It was about five minutes into the period however, when Sam Sedley tracked his man to the top of the zone before stripping the puck and burying a breakaway chance to pull the Attack to with a goal early in period three. Much like when Barlow gave the Bears the opening lead, the one goal game lasted just a little more than five minutes, as London was able to restore their two goal lead. This all set the stage for some wild action in the final 1:30 of the game.
First it was Barlow banging home his second power play marker just off to the side of the net as crept in from the top of the circle before jumping all over a loose puck that got deflected to him from the traffic in front. As the captain pulled the Bears back to within a goal, just 32 seconds later it was Cedrick Guindon’s seeing eye point shot that got through heavy traffic before getting past Knight’s goalie Brett Brochu, that pulled the game back even with under a minute to play. Owen Sound would even have an opportunity to jump back into the lead late in regulation, but ultimately the game would be settled in overtime.
The overtime period was nothing short of intense, as the tams traded chances but tight defensive play and strong goaltending stood tall early on. After Ethan Burroughs was denied on a backhand opportunity deep in the London end, the puck would turn back up ice where the Knights would find George Diaco open to walk into the slot where his wrist shot beat Votary to seal the game.
Owen Sound may be trailing 2-0 in the series but now returning home to the Bayshore for Game 3 Tuesday night, the mindset of your never in trouble until you loose at home will be front and centre. Tickets for both Tuesday night, as well as Game 4 on Thursday night can be purchased at the MacVicor and McComb Sutton Realty Attack Box Office by calling 519-371-7452 or going online.
