Otters Overpower Attack in Final Frame, 4-1 Final

Otters Overpower Attack in Final Frame, 4-1 Final

The Owen Sound Attack fought hard against the Erie Otters Friday night but fell short in a 4-1 final. Carter George stood tall for the Attack turning away 36 shots, including many key saves helping to keep the game in reach for the Attack. Braedyn Rogers was the lone goal scorer for the Attack, potting his seventh goal of the season. Martin Misiak, Tyler Challenger, Malcolm Spence and Garrett Frazer all put goals on the board for the Otters tonight, including Frazer’s first goal of his OHL career.

The first period was a hard fought affair from puck drop until the final buzzer.  The period would start off with the Otters heading to the powerplay just 51 seconds in the game, thankfully the Otters we’re called for a penalty just 59 seconds later to open the ice up for four-on-four action. Braedyn Rogers took advantage only two minutes and thirty seconds into the game. Antonio Tersigni winning the puck battle in the Otter’s corner, opening up plenty of room for him and the Attack in the offensive end. Tersigni slid the puck to Rogers who was wide open in the slot and took advantage of the screened Noah Erliden, ripping it by him for his seventh goal of the season and the Attack’s first goal of the game. Erie quickly ramped up their play on both ends of the ice, not allowing anything easy for the Attack throughout the remainder of the period. Both goaltenders would stand tall not allowing anything by them for the remainder of the period, Including George turning away 10 shots.

The second period showcased a desperate Otters team on both ends of the ice, looking to clinch a playoff birth with a win at the Erie Insurance Arena tonight. Carter George stood tall once again throughout the entire period, turning away 14 shots in the period. Unfortunately, Martin Misiak was able to put the Otters first goal of the night on a two-man advantage with seven minutes left in the period. Sam Alfano was able to win a puck battle behind the Attack’s net, quickly sliding the puck beside him to Pano Fimis. Fimis carried the puck to the blue line, taking advantage of all the room in the Attack’s zone. Fimis walked into the slot, faked a shot and passed it over to Misiak on the right hand slot for a one timer that was lasered past George, tying this game at one. Both goalies would once again stand tall throughout the remainder of the period, not allowing anything by them setting the stage for what should be a hard fought third period.

The third period was a close fought affair between the two teams. The Otters eventually took the advantage putting three goals on the board. Three minutes into the game, Wesley Royston received a breakout pass from his d-man while breaking into the Attack’s zone with speed. Royston made his way behind the Attack’s net finding Brett Hammond alone in front of the net. George made a beautiful pad save on Hammond’s backhand shot but unfortunately Tyler Challenger was in the right place at the right time. Challenger was all alone on the left side of the crease for the tap in rebound goal, putting the otters up by one just three minutes into the period. Malcolm Spence was able to add onto the Otter’s momentum just three minutes later, on his third breakaway attempt of the game. Pano Fimis was able to create a turnover along the Otter’s blue line and quickly passed the puck up to Spence, who was all alone along the Attack’s blue line. Spence walked in and was able to roof it top left corner for the Otter’s third goal of the game, while outshooting the Attack 29-13. The Otters scored their third and final goal with six minutes left in the frame off an offensive end faceoff win. Gabriel Frasca won the draw and quickly sent it over to his wingman Misiak. Misak passed it up to his d-man Garrett Frazer, one timing the puck past George for his first career OHL goal, and ending this game with a 4-1 final. 

The Owen Sound Attack will look to get back in the win column tomorrow night in their final matchup of the season with the Otters. 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).