Suzuki plays hero as Attack down Knights
Nick Suzuki played hero as the Owen Sound Attack downed the London Knights in the final game before the Christmas Break on Saturday, Dec. 19.
With a goal in regulation, the breakaway winner to give the Attack the 4-3 overtime win, Nick Suzuki helpd the Attack cap a furious comeback after giving up three straight goals in the first period.
The Knights struck early, capitalizing on a goalmouth scramble just 1:05 into the game.
After making a trio of saves, Attack netminder Michael McNiven could only watch as the puck skittered out to London defender Ncolas Mattinen who rifled it into the top half of the cage.
The Knights would then double the lead just under five minutes later with defenceman Victor Mete pocketing a goal on a wrist shot from the high slot that bounced off of McNiven’s shoulder and into the net behind him.
London would score once more before the period ended, when CJ Yakomowicz banged home a rebound with 6:03 left in the frame. The Knights’ goal would bring Daniel Dekoning into the game for the Attack with McNiven making 7 saves on 10 shots in his 13:57 of action.
Owen Sound wouldn’t be held off of the board though. With less than five minutes having expired in the 2nd, Ethan Szypula capitalized on a Baywest Nissan Powerplay to score his 9th of the year and make it a 3-1 London lead.
Josh Sterk and Jaden Lindo assisted on the goal, which was the result of a pretty passing play on goal line that allowed Szypula to rifle home a backdoor snipe.
London’s lead was reduced further when Sean Durzi created the team’s 2nd goal on a hard drive to the net, a play that allowed Nick Suzuki to tap in an easy rebound and make it 3-2 with 8:19 having been played in the period.
A few moments after the Attack’s 2nd goal, the Knights would also change goalies, switching Brendan Burke out for Tyler Parsons.
It seemed the Attack comeback would fall short as time wound down in the 3rd period, but rookie defenceman Sean Durzi had other ideas.
With just five seconds let in regulation, Durzi hammered a shot from the point that found its way through traffic and into the back of the Knights’ cage forcing ovetime.
It would be another rookie who ended the extra frame, with Nick Suzuki scoring at 3:58 of the sudden death period to send the Attack into the Christmas Break on a high note.
Kevin Hancock would spot the OT hero standing all alone at the Knights blueline before finding him with a stretch pass that Suzuki deposited between Parsons’ pads, ending the game.
Suzuki’s two goal effort earned him the honour of Mac Taylor Corporation 1st Star of the Game while Sean Durzi was named 3rd star of the evening. London’s Max Jones picked up 2nd star honours while Kevin Hancock was named the Hatten Home Building Centre Hardest Working Player of the Game.
The Mark McDade Remax Shots on Goal finished at 47-35 for the Attack, as Daniel Dekoning would turn aside all 25 shots he faced on the evening.
The Attack will now enjoy the Christmas Break before returning to action at home against the North Bay Battalion on Tuesday, Dec. 29.
Tickets for the 7:00pm puck drop are available at the DJ’s Furniture Attack Box Office, online at www.attackhockey.com, or by calling 519-371-7452.
This season of Attack Hockey is brought to you by Caframo.