Attack Take Home Ice Advantage in Game 1 Road Win

1 down. 15 more to go.

In the long, gruelling pressure of playoff hockey, the Owen Sound Attack did themselves a huge favour in taking away home ice advantage from the Flint Firebirds in the Western Conference Quarter-final showdown.

As game 1 began Friday night in Flint, it was the visiting Attack, who needed just 2:21 after puck drop to open the scoring, when William Portokalis broke into the Firebirds zone, before firing a shot that beat goalie Luke Cavallin through the wickets. Flint would draw even roughly 5 minutes later, when they took advantage of a power play opportunity, as captain Brennan Othmann wired home a one-timer.

Normally in a 7 game series, teams take the first game or two to feel each other out, but on Friday night the Attack and Firebirds were hard nosed and in each others faces all game.

Owen Sound would regain their lead early in the second period, when Colby Barlow ripped home a wrist shot from the slot on the power play, but the Firebirds were able to pullover again, less than 5 minutes later.

As period 3 started even at 2-2, Flint claimed their first lead just 38 seconds into the third. The Attack need just 22 seconds after the Firebirds go-ahead goal to even the game a 3’s, where the score would stay for much of the period.

It was over age veteran Nicholas Porco, who was solid all game, regaining the Attack lead late in the game, as he followed Portokalis beating Cavallin five-hole.

A late period power play, provided Flint with a glimmer of hope, but a pair of shorthanded goals by Gavin Bryant and Igor Chibrikov sealed the win, and earned the Attack a 1-0 series lead!

Game 2 is set for Saturday night April 23, before the series shifts back to Owen Sound Monday night.