OHL Owen Sound Attack

Bears Set for Bees

Published on January 8, 2015 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Owen Sound Attack News Release


After having Wednesday, Jan. 7's game against the Peterborough Petes postponed due to inclement weather, the Owen Sound Attack are set to take on the Sarnia Sting at the Bayshore on Friday, Jan. 9.

The 7:30 pm puck drop will be the 2nd meeting of the year between the teams, with Sarnia having won the previous meeting by a score of 2-1.

Owen Sound comes into the contest sitting at 16-11-2-7 on the year, good for 41 points and 4th in the Midwest Division. The Sting sit in 2nd place in the West division with a record of 18-15-2-2 prior to their game against the Erie Otters on Thursday, Jan. 8.

Both squads will have new faces in the lineup for the Friday game, with the Attack welcoming newly acquired forwards Erik Bradford and Liam Dunda, while the Sting will see Anthony Salinitri enter the lineup after being traded for offensive defenceman, Anthony DeAngelo.

With DeAngelo now in the Soo, the Sting will be led by veteran forward Daniel Nikandrov who has 27 points in 37 games on the year. Rookie import Pavel Zacha, who represented the Czech Republic at the 2015 World Junior Hockey Championships, will also be a big part of Sarnia's game plan on Friday.

The Attack will be looking for a boost in their offensive game thanks to the addition of overage forward Erik Bradford who has 12 goals and 23 assists on the year.

Owen Sound will also be bolstered by the expected return of Holden Cook to the lineup. Cook has not played since Oct. 22 when he suffered an upper body injury against the Barrie Colts but in his 12 games played on the year he tallied seven goals and five assists. Sophomore forward Ethan Szypula will not be in the lineups as he is out with an upper body injury.

The Attack will also be at home on Saturday, Jan. 10 when they host the Belleville Bulls at 7:30 pm.

Tickets for both games 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.

KEYS TO VICTORY

The Sarnia Sting are a skilled offensive team and like to play a run and gun style. While the Attack are also able to play this way, a grinding forecheck that slows the pace down will be what head coach Greg Ireland will ask of his team. That same forecheck will also wear down what is a young group of players for the Sting.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Pavel Zacha, C, Sarnia Sting

9G, 10A, 21GP

A consensus top 10 pick in the upcoming NHL Entry Draft, the big bodied Czech Republic native is the definition of a power forward. Zacha is not afraid to play physically, but he also possesses the skill to punish teams without using his body as well. He has seen limited action with the Sting due to a pair of suspensions and his World Junior appearance, but when he has been in the lineup he has been almost a point per game player and a large part of Sarnia's offence.

Erik Bradford, C, Owen Sound Attack

12G, 23A, 37 GP

Bradford will immediately be inserted into a leadership role with the Attack as the final overeager in the lineup with Holden Cook and Daniel Milne. But Bradford will also be inserted into a scoring role as his 35 points put him into 4th on the Owen Sound scoring list. A good sized pivot, Bradford will be looked upon to win face-offs and create opportunities for his new line mates.

Check out the Owen Sound Attack Statistics

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from January 8, 2015


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