OA’s Shine in 4-2 Victory over Storm in Regular Season Finale
The Owen Sound Attack’s never-quit mentality paid off on Saturday night at the Bayshore, defeating the Guelph Storm 4-2 and securing themselves at least a tie-breaker game with the Sarnia Sting, depending on the result of their game on Sunday afternoon. Cole Zurawski, Masen Wray, Landen Hookey and Bruce McDonald all contributed to the Attack’s goal scoring tonight, while Jett Luchanko and Max Namestnikov put goals on the board for the Storm. Carter George stood his ground tonight per usual, turning away 26 shots for the win.
The first period showcased two desperate teams on the ice just like last night against the Kitchener Rangers. The Attack looking to guarantee themselves a chance at playoffs, while the Storm look to deflate the Attacks playoff hopes. With the amount of energy in the Bayshore from fans tonight, it was not a struggle for the Attack to generate offence. Just nine minutes into the game, Cole Zurawski picked up a loose puck along the Attack’s blue line, looking ahead he only saw one Guelph defender infront of him. Zurawski quickly skated to the top of the right face off dot and used the Storm defender as a screen, ripping it above the pad of Zachary Jovanovski for an early 1-0 lead. The period went on and both goalies made muliple key saves to keep this game close. Unfortunatley, the Storm took advantage of a powerplay opportunity and tied the game up at one with five minutes left in the period. Carter George made two big saves while being sprawled out, but the Storm continued to hound the loose puck allowing Max Namestikov to bury his 24th goal of the season.
The second period quickly became an intense, tightly contested affair between the two teams. Both teams had multiple powerplay opportunities but could not get the puck past two hot goaltenders, both making key saves to keep this game tied heading into the third frame.
The third period was here and the Bayshore was the loudest it has been all season. The Attack fed off the crowd’s energy, putting the pressure on the Storm’s defence early generating multiple strong scoring chances. Masen Wray got the loud Bayshore crowd back on their feet just five minutes into the third, when Mbuyi picked up the loose puck in the Attack’s zone and caught a burst of speed. Mbuyi made his way into the Storm’s zone but got the puck stripped from him. Thankfully Wray was in the perfect spot, picking up the loose puck all alone and let off a toe-drag release that was sniped past Jovanovski to take a 3-2 lead. The drama ramped up in the Bayshore as the game continued, with both team getting more powerplay chances but couldn’t covert due to both goaltenders standing their ground. Unfortunatley, The Storm found the answer to tie this game up with five minutes to go in the frame. A puck battle in the corner made Attack defender’s scramble for the loose puck. The puck made it onto Ryan McGuire’s stick who passed it to a wide open Jett Luchanko infront of the Attack net, and opened up the net with a beautiful forehand-backhand deke to put the equalizing goal on the board. Not even a minute later, the Storm won over possesion of the puck and slowly set up in the Attack’s zone opening up multiple shooting lanes. Rowan Topp took advantage of being on the point all alone, ripping it at a screened Carter George and was tipped by Will McFadden, sucking the air out of the bayshore to take a 3-2 lead. Thankfully for the Attack and their fans it was deemed McFadden’s stick was too high, keeping this game tied with four minutes to go. The Attack understood how that could have potentially costed them their chances at a playoff spot, quickly ramping up play on both ends of the ice. Due to their hard work, the Attack were able to draw a penalty to gain a man advantage at the perfect time. It became even more perfect for the Attack when Landen Hookey put away the rebound off of James Petrovski’s point shot, quickly responding to take a 3-2 lead. The Attack would not take their foot off the gas which put Guelph in a desperate position, having to pull their goalie with a minute and twenty seconds to go. Bruce McDonald was able to pick up a loose puck at center ice due to a Guelph offensive breakdown, and put away the empty netter for a 4-2 win.
The Owen Sound Attack now await the result of Sunday afternoon’s game between the Sarnia Sting and SOO Greyhounds. A Sting win on Sunday, will result in the first tie-breaker game in the OHL since 2001. If the game is required it will be played in Owen Sound at the Bayshore on Tuesday, March 25th at 7pm. If necessary tickets for the tie breaking game will be put on sale Sunday night at 6pm, with season ticket members having until Monday, March 24th at 5pm to claim their seats for the game. Any other result for the Sting and the Attack will claim the 8th place position and face off against the London Knights in the OHL Western Conference Quarter-Finals with tickets for Games 3 and 4 of that series going on sale on Monday, March 24th at 9 am. Tickets 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.
