Attack Clinch 1st Place !
When the London Knights come to town, it is never going to be a dull affair. The game Saturday night was no different than any of the others.
Final score Owen Sound 5 – London 2 EN. Final shots on net were 31-26 London.
With a season high attendance of 3344, the Knights opened the scoring at 5:43 of the first period with Matt Rupert one handing a loose puck behind former London 1st round draft pick, Michael Zador while on his knees for his 2nd goal of the season.
Our Attack were working one of their 10 power play opportunities when Garrett Wilson tied the game with his 40th of the season beating Michael Houser at 17:04. Joey Hishon had fed Andrew Fritsch, right side to left side. Andrew didn’t shoot. He found Garrett standing near the right post with a wide open net. 1-1 after one period of play with the Knights outshooting the Attack 14-9.
Defenceman Matt Stanisz scored the lone second period goal after a nice passing play with Joey Hishon. Working a PP, Matt worked the left side in London’s end, finding Joey with a cross ice pass far right. Matt then snuck in behind his check, Stephen Sanza, where Joey found him with a beauty pass and Matt pounded his 10th of the season at 19:08. 2-1 Attack after two with the Knights outshooting the Attack 13-8 that period.
Working one of their 10 power plays, London defenceman Jake Worrad had his shot blocked but the rebound went right to Vladislav Namestnikov. Who fired his 28th of the season at 5:42.
It was rookie Jarrod Maidens who scored the game winner. Defenceman Jay Gilbert pinched in right side and fed Jarrod with a pass out front. With patience far beyond his underage years, Jarrod slid across the London net right to left with Michael Houser crawling along trying to defend, till Jarrod lifted the puck over him for his 8th of the season at 8:08.
Joey Hishon and Garrett Wilson sure play well together. Similar to the Sedin twins in Vancouver, the two seen to know where each is or will be all the time they are on the ice. Garrett found himself defending near his own net. Joey read the situation and seeing that Garrett would get control of the puck, took off up ice. Garrett found him with the long up ice pass in behind the London defenders and Joey was in alone beating Houser with a wrist shot stick side for his 36th goal of the season at 10:03.
With Houser pulled for an extra skater and an Attack minor penalty being called, our Attack were playing short two skaters when Liam Heelis found the empty London net with his 19th goal of the season at 19:54. Two seconds later, the London bench was given a 2 minute unsportsmanlike penalty. For some reason, London Head Coach Dale Hunter entered the ice surface and slowly crossed the ice to the London dressing room. No idea what that was about.
Final score 5 – 2 EN Attack. With the win and a Kitchener shootout loss in Erie, our Attack have now clinched 1st place in the OHL Western Conference and set a new franchise record for points in a regular season with a standing 91 points.
The Dickies Clothing Hardest Working Player of the Game was Matt Stanisz.
The Kelsey’s Neighbourhood Bar and Grill Attacker of the Game was Garrett Wilson.
The 3 Stars of the Game were:
1st Star – Michael Zador – kind of nice to have different Attack goaltenders named 1st Star two consecutive nights.
2nd Star – Joey Hishon
3rd Star – Vladislav Namestnikov
Next Attack game is at home this Wednesday, March 16th when the Plymouth Whalers will be our guests. Game time at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre, J.D. McArthur Arena, is 7:00 p.m.
Friday our boys will be in Guelph. The game can be heard on Bear Radio AM560.
Our hockey club returns home to close out this great 2010-2011 regular season hosting the London Knights once again, Saturday, March 19th. First series playoff preview ?
Don’t miss it !
The Attack box office is open Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday game days 10:00 a.m. through to the end of the second intermission. Wednesday games 8:30 a.m. through to the end of the second intermission.
Phone orders at 371-7452 or toll free 1-866-5ATTACK.
Internet orders at www.attackhockey.com.
