Bears Show Heart in Tough Overtime Loss to Barrie
In a rare Tuesday night game at the Bayshore, the Owen Sound Attack twice fought back from a two goal deficit to force overtime against the visiting Barrie Colts, but it was the Colts Ethan Cardwell playing hero just 41 seconds into overtime to give the visitors a 6-5 decision.
The scoring came fast and often early in period one, as the Colts opened the scoring just over three minutes into the game of a Connor Punnett point shot through traffic. Though surrendering the first goal, the Attack did not face the deficit long as Montreal Canadiens prospect Cedrick Guindon circled the offensive zone before firing a wrist shot through a maze of bodies to bring the game even just 17 seconds later. Barrie reclaimed their one goal lead just 56 seconds after Guindon tied it, as Beau Jelsma streaked down the wing and beat Attack goalie Corbin Votary wiFth a perfect shot.
After the flurry of goals the game tightened up as the teams settled in, but unfortunately for Owen Sound it was Colts captain Brandt Clarke finding the back of the net on a power play with under 30 seconds left in the period to send the game to intermission with Barrie holding a 3-1 lead.
Quick strike was the name of the game tonight, as just over a minute into period two the Attack pulled within a goal as Ethan Burroughs banged home a loose puck at the side of the cage. Burroughs then aimed for some history, as he netted a second goal just 11 seconds later, only four-seconds off the franchise record for fastest two goals by a single player.
With the game all evened up again Owen Sound had the opportunity to grab the steering wheel and take control with a Clarke sitting in the penalty box, but it was the Colts captain chipping home his second of the game on a Barrie 3-on-1 rush just seconds after stepping out of the box. Barrie would regain their two-goal lead as trade deadline acquisition Ethan Quick banged home a loose puck just in front of the net to make it a 5-3 game.
Barrie was content to just lock the game down in the third period as Owen Sound showed heart in battling to get back into the game. The Attack’s efforts were rewarded when Nolan Seed joined the rush undetected and took a nifty backhand pass from Kaleb Lawrence to bring the Bear to within a goal.
As the clock wound down, the game began to look too far gone for the Attack, but it was captain Colby Barlow playing hero, roofing a loose puck over a net front scramble. Not only did Barlow’s goal even the game, but it extends his current goal streak to eight games (after having a 10 game streak earlier in the year) and matches his goal total from last season of 30.
As mentioned it was a quick strike game, and after forcing a turnover Cardwell sent the Bayshore faith home dejected, slamming the overtime winner home just 41 seconds into the extra frame.
The game was just the beginning of a busy week as the Attack get set for a 3-in-3 weekend, starting Friday night in London as they tangle with the division rival Knights, before welcoming two of the top Eastern Conference teams Saturday and Sunday to wrap things up. Tickets for Saturday night’s game against the Peterborough Petes are very limited, while tickets are becoming limited for the Sunday game against the Ottawa 67’s. Tickets for all Attack home games can be purchased at the MacVicor and McComb Sutton Realty Attack Box Office by calling 519-371-7452 or going online at tickets.attackhockey.com.
NOTE: With Hockey Day in Canada running throughout Saturday, parking for the Attack game may be limited and the Attack urge fans to consider other means of transportation or carpooling to the game.
