Attack Sweep Weekend Set !
The OHL Eastern Conference, Central Division leading Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors, visited the Scenic City Saturday night. Their only regular season game in Owen Sound. Our Attack were guests of the Majors September 30th. The Majors won that game 5-3. The first meeting since the Jarrod Maidens game winning goal in overtime of the 7th game of the OHL Championship final May 15, 2011 in Mississauga. The Majors came to town with an 11-5-1-2 record, while our Attack were 10-10-1-1. The Majors defeated the Barrie Colts 4-3 Friday night at home. Our Attack sent the Sarnia Sting home with a 5-2 loss. The Majors were 3-4-1-2 over their past ten games. The Attack, 5-3-1-1.
Nothing surprising about the outcome of this game. That OHL Final last season was won by the Attack with 3 of their 4 wins in overtime. Overtime didn’t produce a winner. Joseph Blandisi won it for his Attack scoring the lone goal in the shootout.
Owen Sound 4 – Mississauga 3 SO. Final shots on net were 42-42. Each team was 1 for 9 on the power play.
Jordan Binnington started in the Attack net. His 3rd consecutive start. All wins. JP Anderson for the Majors. These two should and did put on a pretty good show.
Even though the Majors ran into some penalty trouble in the first period. Short a man for most of the 5:17 mark till 14:28, the Attack couldn’t connect on 3 PP chances. 0-0 after one period of play.
After an early penalty to Attack defender Geoffrey Schemitsch that the Attack killed off, it was a parade to the penalty box for the Majors once again. Minors at 2:59, 4:52 and 6:48. The first Attack PP turned into total chaos in their own end till Justin Rasmussen put an end to it with his 4th of the season into an empty Attack net at 5:13. Schemitsch was injured on the play and did not return.
Rasmussen was back for his second shorty after, deking Binnington left on a breakaway and firing a wrist shot for the 2-0 lead at 7:41.
The Attack got the break they needed when a Jay Gilbert errant pass to Gemel Smith ended on the Mississauga net where Anderson misplayed the puck. Gemel Smith was right there to snap his 10th of the season. An unassisted power play goal at 9:00.
The Majors jumped out to a 3-1 lead scoring another special team goal. This time it was a PP goal by Riley Brace, tipping a blast from the left point by Jordan at 11:42. 3-1 Mississauga after two periods of play.
Time was winding down and Attack fans were getting nervous, but no one was counting their Attack out of this one as yet. This is a resilient bunch. A good Matt Petgrave defensive play in his own end, became a 3-on-2 for the Attack. Mike Halmo and Cameron Brace moved the puck around till Petgrave jumped into the play as a trailer. Cameron seen him, fed Matt and Matt put the puck on the net. Anderson made the save, but the rebound went to Gemel Smith at the left side and this was a one goal game at 14:02.
Attack Head Coach Greg Ireland had fans on the edge of their seats when he called a time-out at 18:15 and pulled Binnington from the net for the extra Attacker. The Attack tied the affair after a great pass from Mike Halmo – while on his knees – found Gemel Smith alone to the right of Anderson. Gemel’s 3rd of the game at 18:34. Daniel Catenacci went off for tripping with 28 seconds left in regulation. The Attack killed the time and the home town crowd roared their approval of the battle back by their Attack to earn at least one point.
Owen Sound had to kill the Catenacci penalty and another to Matt Petgrave in the OT and they did. Off to the shoot-out.
Joseph Blandisi, Mike Halmo and Artur Gavrus shot for the Attack. The rookie Blandisi was the only shooter to score with a pretty deke to Anderson’s right and then slipping the puck back to his left.
Final score Attack 4 – Majors 3 SO. The Attack have won 4 straight at home.
The 3 Stars of the Game were
1st Star – Gemel Smith with the hat-trick.
2nd Star – Justin Rasmussen with 2 goals.
3rd Star – Mike Halmo
The Dickie’s Clothing Hardest Working Attacker of the Game was Keevin Cutting.
The Kelsey’s Neighbourhood Bar and Grill Attacker of the Game was Gemel Smith.
Our Attack continue to enjoy a 4 game at home stretch when the Erie Otters will be our guests Wednesday, November 16th. Game time at the J.D. McArthur Arena is 7:00 p.m.
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.
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