Preview: Attack Embark on Northern Swing

The Owen Sound Attack head north this weekend for their annual northern swing.  Never has this swing been more important with the Attack sitting one point out of a playoff spot and a head-to-head matchup with the SOO who they are chasing for that final playoff spot set for Sunday afternoon.  The Attack will open the swing on Thursday night (7pm) at the Sadlon Arena against the Barrie Colts before heading to Sudbury (7pm) to take on the Wolves on Friday night.  The Attack will then enjoy a a rare travel day on the road as they head up to the SOO for Sunday’s big game at 2:05pm.

Pierce Mbuyi and Landen Hookey have been on fire of late and will be once again relied upon to continue to generate offence and distribute the puck if the Attack are to bed successful over the weekend.  The Bears will also look for secondary offence from the likes of Ben Cormier, Declan Waddick, Harry Nansi and the back end in James Petrovski and Braedyn Rogers.

On Thursday night the Attack and Colts will do battle for the fifth time this season, last time at the Sadlon Arena.  The Colts currently hold the season series lead taking home three of the previous four meetings this season.  The Colts have been tough to beat of late and have been led by their goaltending tandem who both have sub three goals against averages and north of 900 save percentages on the season.  The Attack will need to play a complete game against the Colts offence as they have many options after loading up at the trade deadline.  To be successful the Bears will need to continue to take the play to their opponent, compete for a full 60 minutes, be patient and capitalize on opportunities when they open up.

Friday night will be a rematch November 10th game at the Bayshore that saw the Wolves sneak one out 3-1.  The Attack will need to look to capitalize while 5-on-5 and try to avoid providing Sudbury with man-advantage opportunities as this is where their offence has seen great success.  Their penalty kill has also been good this season sitting just 0.5% ahead of the Attack.  The Attack will look to continue the Wolves woes that have seen them winner son just 3 of their last 10 games.

Sunday afternoon will be a marquee matchup of the weekend, as the battle for the final playoff spot in the west goes from scoreboard watching to head-to-head.  The Attack will need to keep Marco Mignosa, Brady Martin and Justin Cloutier in check while attempting to put pressure on the Sault’s young net minders who have been filling the void with Nolan Lalonde out.  The Attack won the only meeting between the two teams earlier this season 3-1 at the Bayshore.

All three games can be seen on Rogers Television Georgian Bay channel 53, streamed on CHLtv and heard on 560 CFOS Bear Radio.  Tickets for all 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.

RECORD WATCH:. Rookie forward Pierce Mbuyi’s hot streak has him moving up the record books.  Heading into weekend play he sits 7 goals back of the record for Most Goals by a 16-year-old in Franchise history, currently held by Colby Barlow (30), 7 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 19 points back of Most points by a Rookie in Franchise history, currently held by Cedrick Guindon (59).

HEAD-TO-HEAD BREAKDOWN: