OHL Owen Sound Attack

Attack Start Roadtrip off with Win

Published on February 12, 2016 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Owen Sound Attack News Release


The Owen Sound Attack exacted revenge on the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds when the two teams met on Friday, Feb. 12 at the Essar Centre.

Meeting for the 2nd time on the year, the Attack downed the Hounds 2-1 in overtime on Friday night, reversing the result from the last time the squads met, which saw the Soo win 2-1 in a shootout in Owen Sound back on Oct. 3.

Nick Suzuki would play hero for the Bears on Friday night, picking up his 15th goal of the year by tipping home the game winner in the extra frame, while Thomas Schemitsch picked up two assists in the winning effort.

Defence and goaltending dominated the first 40 minutes of the game, as neither team was able to find a seam in the starting goaltenders.

Hounds' netminder Brandon Halverson was peppered with 27 shots in periods one and two, but turned everything aside, including a handful of grade-A scoring chances.

Justin Brack would have maybe the best chance to open the scoring in the first period, but his one-timer into an empty cage would be denied as Halverson sprawled out to keep the game knotted at zeroes.

Michael McNiven wouldn't let his counterpart steal all of the spotlight though.

Despite being tested just 12 times through 40 minutes, McNiven was up to the task every single time, punctuating his performance with a fantastic pad save on a streaking Zach Senyshyn during the middle stanza.

While the goalies were doing their thing, the Attack forward corps was intent on wearing down the Sault Ste. Marie defence with a relentless flow of punishing body checks. Jaden Lindo, Liam Dunda, and Trent Bourque led the way for the visitors by laying into everything that had a Hounds logo on, and despite the score being 0-0, the Attack would clearly hold the momentum going into the 3rd period.

However that momentum wouldn't result in a lead for the Attack, as the Greyhounds would score less than three minutes into the 3rd to open the scoring.

Boris Katchouk would get credit for the goal, a flukey tally that squeaked through McNiven's legs and into the back of the net to give Sault Ste. Marie a 1-0 lead at 2:49 of the final frame.

Owen Sound wouldn't give up though, and their relentless pressure paid off by way of Jacob Friend's 3rd goal of the year.

With 12:41 gone in the frame, Friend took a pass at the point from Thomas Schemitsch and uncorked a bomb that fooled a screened Halverson and found the back of the net through his five hole.

Bryson Cianfrone would also register a helper on the play thanks to his timely face off win that set up the play.

Friend's goal would guarantee the Attack at least a point, as the teams would head to a thrilling overtime frame.

After a number of odd-man rushes going in both directions in the extra period, it would be a relatively harmless shot on net that ended the affair.

Receiving a pass close to the blueline from Kevin Hancock was Attack defender Thomas Schemitsch, who fired a low hard one along the ice that found pay-dirt after being redirected by rookie forward Nick Suzuki.

Suzuki's goal put an end to the game with 3:48 gone in the extra frame, and got Owen Sound's three game road trip started on the right foot, making it a 2-1 overtime win for the Attack.

The Mark McDade Remax Shots on Goal finished at 40-22 in favour of the Attack, and Hounds netminder Brandon Halverson would be named the Mac Taylor Corporaton 1st Star of the Game for his 38 save performance. Nick Suzuki picked up 2nd star honours thanks to scoring the game winner, while Owen Sound goalie Michael McNiven was named the game's 3rd star.

The Attack continue their road trip with a stop in Flint on Saturday night to take on the Firebirds in a 7:30pm puck drop.

Fans can watch the game live on Rogers Local 53 or tune in to Kia of Owen Sound Terry's Trailer Service Bear Radio on 560 CFOS.

Check out the Owen Sound Attack Statistics

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from February 12, 2016


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