Attack win OT Thriller Over Storm
For as rough a month as February was for the Owen Sound Attack, they sure capped it off with a bang, as they claimed a 3-2 overtime win over the Guelph Storm Saturday night at the Bayshore.
Though the ending was perfect, the start was anything but, with the Storm tying a franchise record scoring only nine seconds into the game. It was Matthew Papais, who beat Attack defender Sam Sedley to a loose puck after it careened off the end boards right into the slot.
Sedley for his part, redeemed that small mistake, as he netted the overtime winner after finding space in the low slot and going post and in.
In-between those tow goals however there was very little action, as both teams seemed scared to make mistakes and provide scoring chances for the opposition.
Though trailing nine seconds in, the Attack did not remain behind on the score sheet for long. Rookie winger Colby Barlow entered the weekend on a six game scoreless streak, but will leave having four goals in just two games. After scoring a pair Friday night, Barlow added another two Saturday in just a three minute span. With the rookie snipers help, Owen Sound found themselves leading 2-1 just eight minutes into the game.
The score would remain 2-1 well into the third period, as both teams tightened up defensively. It was Papais, matching Barlow’s pair, who potted the equalizer just after an Attack penalty had expired.
Overtime seemed like the perfect end for this game, as both Nick Chenard in the Attack net and Jacob Oster in the Storm net stood tall for their teams when needed. It was a wild back and forth race with each net minder coming up with big saves, before Sedley found his space to end the game.
This was the Attack’s second straight victory over a mid-west rival, and a pivotal two points in the play-off race as they try and distance themselves from the bottom four teams in the conference.
With his four goals over the weekend Colby Barlow now sits just three back from tying Bobby Ryan’s scoring record as a 16-year old, as Ryan recorded 22 goals in his underage season.
Owen Sound returns to action next Wednesday night when they welcome the Kitchener Rangers to the Bayshore, a game that will mark a full capacity building for the first time since early December for Owen Sound, as fans are encouraged to come out and cheer on their Attack!
