George Heroics Rally Attack past Rangers, 3-2 in Shootout

The Owen Sound Attack pulled off a huge come from behind win on GMAN C.A.R.E.S. night in a shootout final against the Kitchener Rangers. Carter George stole the show, stopping 50 of 52 shots, including many game saving stops.  Masen Wray scored his ninth of the season, first goal since returning from injury and Max Bleicher potted his second goal of the year. Evan Headrick and Christian Humphreys both put goals on the board for the Rangers.

The first period showcased a tight fought affair.  Carter George stood tall making key saves in the early moments of the period, giving his team a fighting chance against the Rangers. Harry Nansi almost put home the game’s first goal of the game on a breakaway, but Luke Ellinas’s effort on the back check took away his golden opportunity. The Rangers would strike two minutes later off a great individual effort from Andrew Vermuelen. Vermulen carried the puck up the ice from the Rangers end with speed, Vermulen quickly toe dragged around Max Bleicher splitting the defence.  Vermuelen found a wide open Evan Headrick all alone beside an empty Attack net for an easy tap in. Both teams would battle for their possesions throughout the remainder of the period, but both goalies stood their ground not allowing anything by them with George turning away 18 shots.

The second period continued to be a close contest, but unfortunately, the Rangers got on the board first once again. Five minutes into the period, the Rangers found time and space in the Attack’s zone and set up a cycle. The puck got fired at the crowded net from the left defencemen Matthew Andenovski , George made the initial save but Christian Humphreys fought his way through traffic and buried the rebound, putting the Rangers up by two. The Attack continued to fight back and broke the deadlock while shorthanded. Alec Leonard won a puck battle along the boards in the defensive end, looking for the headman Leonard saw Wray breaking out with speed. Wray bursted through center ice with Leonard following along behind. Wray found a burst of speed and got by both Ranger’s defencemen but had the puck stripped from him. Leonard made his way into the play at the perfect time, picking up the loose puck all alone and set up Masen Wray for an easy tap in goal, giving the Attack some much needed momentum and making it a 2-1 game.

The third period showcased the Attack’s never quit mentality on the offensive end, and from goaltender Carter George. George continued to make big save after big save throughout the entire frame, giving the Bear’s as much support as they could ask for. The Attack found the momentum they needed eight minutes into the period. Antonio Tersigni’s strong effort paid off for the Attack, rewarding them with a goal. Tersigni created the turnover along the center ice boards, turned and passed it ahead to Declan Waddick who was zooming down the right wing, catching the Rangers defence off guard. Waddick had two Rangers defenders on him once he entered the zone. That left Elliott Arnett all alone in the slot who passed it to Max Bleicher who snuck in beside the Rangers net and roofed it for his second goal of the season, tying this game at two a piece. Once again both goaltenders stood their ground, not letting anything else by them for the remainder of the period. This game needed overtime.

Overtime action was here and the Bayshore was buzzing, anticipating a miraculous come from behind win against one of the top teams in the OHL. The Rangers would start off the frame gaining posession and slowing down play, looking to generate a strong scoring chance against a hot goaltender. Landen Hookey had a strong scoring chance at the two minute mark, toe dragging around the Rangers defencemen with speed. Hookey looked to shelve it top corner on the shoreside but was stopped by the post. Unfortunatley for the Rangers, George had gotten too hot at this point of the game stopping all shots faced in overtime, ending overtime with a total of 50 saves made on the night.

The Shootout approached and the Attack we’re ready to put this game to bed. Hookey started the shootout off for the Attack and executed his plan perfectly. A nice couple of forehand backhand dekes opened the five hole of Jason Schaubel, and opened up just enough for Hookey to slide the puck right through, putting the pressure on the Rangers early. Trent Swick looked to take the pressure off but couldn’t get the puck past George and the post. The stage was now set for Declan Waddick who is known to be a strong performer in the shootout. Waddick walked in slowly while stick handling the puck back and forth, waiting for Schaubel to make the first move. Waddick noticed a good chunk of the net open due to how far Schaubel was out of his crease. Waddick picked his spot and sniped it top shelf giving the Attack a huge advantage going into the potential final attempt in the shootout for the Rangers. Tanner Lam hopped over the bench with hopes of keeping his team in the game. Lam quickly made his way towards George, Lam performed a slick backhand forehand, but could not fool George who made a sprawling pad save to seal the deal for the Attack and putting the exclamation mark on what was a stellar performance between the pipes.

The Owen Sound Attack will have a week of rest and recovery before heading to Erie to take on the Otters for their annual double header at the Erie Insurance Arena. The first matchup will take place on Friday, March 7th at 7pm. The second and final matchup between the Attack and Otters this season will go down on Saturday, March 8th at 7pm. Friday and Saturday night’s game can be seen streamed on CHLtv and heard on 560 CFOS Bear Radio. Tickets for for the final three regular season Attack home games can be purchased at the MacVicar & McComb Sutton Realty Attack Box Office, over the phone at 519-371-7452 or online at tickets.attackhockey.com.

PLAYOFF PICTURE:

RECORD WATCH:. Rookie forward Pierce Mbuyi’s hot streak has him moving up the record books.  Heading into weekend play he sits 5 goals back of the record for Most Goals by a 16-year-old in Franchise history, currently held by Colby Barlow (30), 5 points back of the Most Points by a 16-year-old in Franchise history, currently co-held by Joey Hishon and Colby Barlow (47) and 17 points back of Most points by a Rookie in Franchise history, currently held by Cedrick Guindon (59).