Attack head to Guelph for Game 5
While every game in the playoffs has a ‘must win’ feel to it, the Owen Sound Attack are facing a do-or-die situation on Saturday, Apr. 4.
Trailing the Guelph Storm 3-1 in the Ontario Hockey League Playoff’s Western Conference Quarterfinals, the Attack will head to Guelph for Game 5, set for 7:00 pm on Saturday night.
Twice the teams have battled to overtime in the first round series, with the latest bout of free hockey coming on Wednesday, Apr. 1 in Owen Sound as the Attack fell 3-2 despite peppering Storm goalie Justin Nichols with 52 shots.
Wednesday’s loss was the 3rd straight for the Attack after Owen Sound took Game 1 of the series by a score of 6-1 on Friday, Mar. 27.
Even though the Attack fell on Wednesday night, Game 4 marked a stark contrast from Game 3 for the Owen Sound squad, and was the 3rd straight game of the series that was decided by just one goal.
The Attack will need to win on Saturday night to extend the series and force a Game 6, scheduled for 6:00 pm on Sunday, Apr. 5 in Owen Sound.
Saturday’s game is set to be broadcast live on 560 CFOS Bear Radio at 7:00 pm as well as Rogers Local 53.
If necessary, tickets for Sunday’s Game 6 will be available starting at 8:00 am on Sunday morning at the DJ’s Furniture Attack Box Office.
This season of Attack Hockey is brought to you by Caframo.
KEYS TO VICTORY
After starting lightning hot on the Baywest Nissan Powerplay in Game 1, the Attack have cooled off dramatically in Games 2-4. Owen Sound’s penalty kill has been exceptional, operating at close to a 90% clip for the series. Game 5 could be a special teams battle and the Attack will need to see more success on the man advantage to extend the series. A physical series to this point, the Attack and Storm will both look to set the tone early on and for Owen Sound, a hard forecheck and early net front presence will be key to sending the series back to Georgian Bay.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Erik Bradford, C, Owen Sound Attack
1G, 3A, 4GP
The Attack’s workhorse so far in the series, Erik Bradford has done everything in his power to get wins for Owen Sound. The overage forward has dominated down low in the Storm zone while also proving to be a hassle on the defensive end. Bradford’s line will be catalysts in Game 5 for Owen Sound and he can be expected to come out firing.
Justin Nichols, G, Guelph Storm
3-1, 2.81GAA, .924SV%
After getting lit up for three goals in just 11 shots in Game 1 of the series, Justin Nichols has rebounded and stolen a pair of games for the Guelph Storm. In Games 3 and 4, Nichols turned away a combined 84 shots and many of them in acrobatic fashion. Nichols helped lead the Storm to a J. Ross Robertson Cup championship in 2014, and he will be a big part of the Storm’s success in Game 5.
