Attack’s Third Period Surge Sends the Colts Home Unhappy
A third period surge by the Attack started 2017 off on the right foot for them as they defeated the Colts 5-1.
It all started with Nick Suzuki’s 21st goal of the season extending the Attack lead to 3-1, followed by Chase Campbell’s second tally of the night capping off a great start to the new year for Owen Sound.
Kevin Hancock also added another late one, also scoring his second goal of the game that blew open a game that was very close most of the way.
After ending 2016 with a loss, the Colts were looking to turn a page and get back on track as they headed down highway 26 to Owen Sound. They put up a strong effort but didn’t get the result they were looking for.
Coach Hawerchuk decided to shake things up as well and give Ruan Badenhorst the nod in net, as he was making just his 2nd appearance this year.
It didn’t start off great though, Campbell helped finish off an odd man rush for the Attack to put them in front. It was a smooth breakout for Owen Sound finished off by a hard wrist shot that beat Badenhorst over the glove hand for his 10th goal of the season. Ethan Szypula and Maksim Sushko picked up tallies on the go ahead goal.
With about four minutes left in the period Owen Sound was looking for more. Nick Suzuki weaved his way past a couple Colts defenders putting himself in all alone on Badenhorst, but the Colts net-minder came up big keeping the score the same.
Barrie was able to get 10 shots in the period but struggled to get anything going against Michael McNiven, who was recently sent back from Team Canada’s World Junior Camp.
The second held a different fate for the Colts, and early on at that. Colts defenseman Cameron Lizotte picked off a pass and found a streaking Lucas Chiodo who put a move on McNiven and slid home his 12th goal of the season.
The game remained tied for just a short period of time. Hancock put on a show in front of the home crowd. He grabbed the puck in the neutral zone before a beautiful toe drag around a Colts defender and snapping it home to restore Owen Sounds lead.
That goal really gave the Attack a lot of jump as they were peppering Badenhorst with shots, but the Tiny Township native was playing strong keeping the boys in it.
Early in the first it was almost a replay of the second. Lucas Chiodo went in on a break, but this time McNiven made the big stop and kept the lead for the Attack.
The boys are back in action this Thurday at home when the Oshawa Generals are coming to town. They will also welcome back Matt Brassard who was traded there earlier this week. Puck drops at 7:30pm at the Barrie Molson Centre.
