Rangers overcome Attack in Third Period, 3-2
The Owen Sound Attack put together a strong performance tonight, but fell just short to the Kitchener Rangers 3-2. Landen Hookey started the scoring off for the Attack, marking his team leading 33rd goal of the season. Pierce Mbuyi also Potted his 29th goal of the season, his 11th powerplay goal of the season and now sits only one goal behind Colby Barlow for goals scored by a sixteen year old (30). Christian Humphreys, Trent Swick and Jack Pridham all put goals on the board for the Rangers.
The first period told fans this was once again going to be a hard fought matchup, as all seven previous games between the two foes we’re decided by one goal. Both teams found opportunities on the powerplay early into the frame, but both goalies stood tall making many key saves to keep this game tied. The Rangers ramped up their play on both ends of the ice, putting the pressure on Matthew Koprowski and the Attack early. Thankfully for the Attack, Koprowski showed up ready to go turning away sixteen shots in the first game keeping this game scoreless going into the second frame.
The second period started off near perfectly for the Attack, putting the game’s first goal of the game just a minute and fifty one seconds into the frame. Pierce Mbuyi pulled the puck out of a battle along the boards, Mbuyi made his way behind the net with Landen Hookey sitting in the right hand slot all alone. Hookey recieved a hard tape to tape pass from behind the net and rifled the puck bardown, breaking the deadlock for a 1-0 lead while marking his team leading 33rd goal of the season. The Rangers evened the game up on a man advantage with just fourty three seconds left in the frame. Christian Humphreys point shot sneaked by a screend Koprowski to tie the game up at one, setting the stage for a thrilling third period.
The third period showcased two desperate teams on the ice, the Attack we’re looking to clinch a playoff spot while the Rangers we’re looking to hit 100 points on the season for the first time since 2002. Trent Swick potted the go ahead goal eight minutes into the frame due to a strong offensive breakout between Jack Pridham and himself. Swick saw Pridham breaking out of their end all alone with speed along the boards, looking to generate a strong scoring chance. Pridham rushed into the Attack’s zone with the puck while having the Attention of mulitple Attack defenders, allowing Swick to make his way infront of a wide open net for an easy tap in goal. Marking his 27th goal of the season and taking a 2-1 lead. Four minutes later the Attack found themselves on the powerplay, looking to take the momentum back in this game and so they did. The Attack set up their 1-3-1 formation, looking to get the puck to an open man on either faceoff dot. A strong executed cycle left Bruce McDonald wide open on the right side, he recived the pass from Declan Waddick but just fanned on it. Thankfully for the Attack, Pierce Mbuyi was in the right place at the right time. Mbuyi quickly grabbed the loose puck infront of the net and rifled the puck top shelf, potting his 29th goal of the season and tied this game up at two. Unfortunatley, the Rangers quickly ramped up their offensive play and found the back of the net just a minute later. Almost identical to Hookey’s goal in the first period, Pridham parked himself infront of the Attack’s net while the Rangers cycled behind their net. Swick pulled the puck out from a puck battle in the corner, made his way behind the net and found Pridham all alone infront of the net for an easy tap in goal, which would end up being the game winning goal.
Tonight’s loss combined with SOO Greyhound and Sarnia Sting victories has the Attack now tied for 8th place in the Western Conference at 57 points with the Sting points and the Greyhounds out of reach for both Sarnia and Owen Sound. The Attack will be back on home ice against the Guelph Storm on Saturday night looking to close out the regular season with a win. A win in regulation, overtime or shootout on Saturday night will guarantee the Attack at least a tie breaking game against Sarnia. No matter the result, Attack fans will be scoreboard watching on Sunday as the Sting visit the Greyhounds and the result of that game will ultimately decide where the Bears finish.
Tomorrow’s game is down to standing room only. Standing room 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. If you can’t attend, all Attack games can be seen on Rogers Television Georgian Bay (Channel 53), streamed on CHLtv and heard on 560 CFOS Bear Radio.
