OHL Owen Sound Attack

Attack Take Stranglehold on 1st Round Series

Published on March 26, 2018 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Owen Sound Attack News Release


For the second straight game, the Owen Sound Attack and London Knights needed overtime to decide an entry in the journal that is the Western Conference Quarterfinal matchup between the two Midwest Division rivals.

And for the second straight game, it was the Attack celebrating the OT victory, this time thanks to a rebound goal by Alan Lyszczarczyk just 33 seconds into the extra period to give them a 4-3 win.

Brett McKenzie was a beast for the Attack yet again, picking up points on all four of Owen Sound's goals on the evening including a clutch assist on the winning tally where he kept the puck in at the blueline before firing the pill off of Raaymakers' pad, and right onto Lyszczarczyk's win for the winner.

Looking to take the crowd out of it early, the Attack started the game by taking the body at every possible chance.

And just under 4:00 into the game, the early pressure paid off.

Ethan Szypula was able to tie up his man along the half wall to the left of Joseph Raaymakers, allowing Alan Lyszczarczyk to dig the puck free.

With his linemates having done the dirty work, a wide open Brett McKenzie wasted no time in hammering Lyszczarczyk's centring pass into the back of the net for his 3rd of the post season and a 1-0 Attack lead at the 3:54 mark of the 1st.

That goal stood as the difference through the remainder of the 1st, a period of hockey that was as dominant as any you would see by a road team.

But the 15:00 intermission seemed to be just what the Knights' needed and after a neutral zone turnover by the Attack early in the 2nd, Sergey Popov skated over the Attack blueline and rifled the tying marker past Olivier Lafreniere at exactly 2:30 of the 2nd.

Owen Sound didn't need long to restore their lead though, and a successful penalty kill ended in Brett McKenzie tallying his 2nd of the evening.

A hard hit along the side wall in the neutral zone poked the puck free and McKenzie was able to pick it up before walking in uncontested and snapping the puck up and over Raamakers' blocker for his 4th of the post season with 5:08 gone in the middle stanza to make it 2-1 for Owen Sound.

And the Bears weren't done there either.

Another forced turnover in the neutral zone - this time by McKenzie - sent the Attack in on an odd man rush. Showing patience, McKenzie circled back, and found Ethan Szypula with the pass.

Then, the London native went cross ice to Sean Durzi who one-timed it into the back of the net for a 3-1 lead with 11:24 still to play in the 2nd.

Not wanting to let the Attack get too far ahead though, London was able to cut into the lead once more, this time taking advantage of a tripping minor to Chase Campbell.

With the Attack down a man, Tyler Rollo grabbed the puck behind the Owen Sound net and banked it in off of the back of Lafreniere, making it a 3-2 lead for the Bayshore Boys with 10:30 gone in the 2nd.

But just like the 1st, the goal scoring would cool off after the Attack had the one goal lead, sending the teams to the 3rd period with that 3-2 score still intact.

And despite both teams throwing everything and the kitchen sink at one another in the final 20:00 of regulation, it was as if the offence had dried up.

That was until Ethan Szypula was assessed a double minor for high sticking with 5:14 to play in the game, allowing the Knights to strike and force OT.

Just 15 seconds after the infraction occurred, London captain Evan Bouchard snapped a puck that squeaked through Lafreniere's pads and just over the goal line, making it a 3-3 score; one that would hold up through 60:00 of intense hockey that saw Owen Sound outshoot the Knights 40-26.

That dominance in regulation eventually paid off in overtime, too.

Just 33 seconds into the extra frame, the Attack were celebrating their 3rd straight victory in the series when Alan Lyszczarczyk slammed home the rebound of a Brett McKenzie shot to hand the Attack a 4-3 win and a stranglehold on the Western Conference Quarterfinal.

Lyszczarczyk was named the Mac Taylor Corporation 1st Star of the Game for his effort on the winner, while Brett McKenzie's four point night gave him 2nd star honours. London's Evan Bouchard was named the game's 3rd star.

Olivier Lafreniere made 23 saves on 26 shots in the win, with the Mark McDade Chestnut Park Shots on Goal finishing at 42-26 for Owen Sound on the night.

Game 4 of the series will go on Thursday night back at Budweiser Gardens with puck drop set for 7:00pm.

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

This season of Attack Hockey is brought to you by Lerners Personal Injury Lawyers and Bertrand & Muzzell Paralegal Services.

Check out the Owen Sound Attack Statistics

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from March 26, 2018


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