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OHL Owen Sound Attack

Cianfrone Makes Big Splash in Win

September 25, 2015 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Owen Sound Attack News Release


It was an exciting day for the Owen Sound Attack, who began their 2015-16 Ontario Hockey League season with a trip to Kitchener to take on the Rangers on Friday Sept. 25.

Just before the bus departed the Bayshore, the Attack dealt goaltender Jack Flinn to the Mississauga Steelheads for overage forward Bryson Cianfrone, while simultaneously dealing an 11th round draft pick to Erie for goaltender Daniel DeKoning.

The pair were both able to suit up for the Attack as the team opened the year against their Midwest Division rivals and Cianfrone made an immediate impact, scoring the game winner and adding two helpers in a 5-4 overtime win for the Attack.

Owen Sound began the game with most of the momentum and carried the play deep into Kitchener's zone in the early going. Despite the hot start for the visitors, it would be the Rangers who found the back of the net first.

With 3:43 gone in the first period, Jake Henderson was able to bank a puck off of the back of Attack netminder Michael McNiven and into goal.

Moments after Kitchener scored the game's opening goal, Keenan Reynolds made his presence felt in the game. After Mike Davies drove Santino Centorame into the boards from behind, Reynolds came to his teammates aid and scored a decisive win in short, but lively fight.

The Attack were unable to take advantage of the momentum from the fight though.

Kitchener doubled their lead just one minute after the scrap, with Adam Mascherin wiring a snapshot over McNiven's blocker while the Attack were on a Paul Davis Systems Penalty kill.

Owen Sound wouldn't be denied though, and after their hardworking play resulted in three straight Baywest Nissan Powerplays, the Bears were able to capitalize.

With just three minutes remaining in the first period, Nick Suzuki accepted a pass at the side of the Rangers' cage and bank it in off of the far post for his first career Ontario Hockey League goal.

Also celebrating a milestone on Suzuki's goal was fellow first round draft pick, Markus Phillips, who recorded his first career OHL point with the lone assist on the play.

Owen Sound looked to generate the momentum from their first goal with another powerplay opportunity almost immediately after, but they quickly had the wind taken out of their sails.

With just six seconds left in the opening frame, Darby Llewellyn put what looked to be a harmless shot on net and struck gold, fooling Michael McNiven to give the home side a 3-1 lead heading into the break.

The intermission appeared to benefit the Attack, as Owen Sound came out looking like a different team in the middle stanza.

While their pressure didn't pay dividends right away, the Attack's work ethic wore down the Rangers as Jaden Lindo made it 3-2 at the 7:53 mark of the 2nd when he tipped home a shot from Cianfrone.

Petrus Palmu also tallied his first point of the year with a helper on Lindo's goal, but the celebration didn't last long for the Attack.

Kitchener was able to regain their two goal advantage thanks to Henderson's 2nd goal of the game with 5:05 left on the clock in the 2nd period.

Owen Sound wouldn't go quietly however.

With 1:08 remaining in the middle frame, Santino Centorame got in on the scoring act by converting on a long shot from the point. His goal, which came on a Baywest Nissan Powerplay, saw Josh Sterk pick up his first point as a member of the Attack while Cianfrone grabbed his 2nd point of the game.

Centorame's goal would send the teams to the final break with the Attack trailing 4-3 and looking to complete the comeback in the 3rd.

The Attack gained even more ground in their comeback quest when Ethan Szypula evened the score at four a piece with 6:28 gone in the final frame.

After failing to convert on a 2-on-1, Szypula deftly snuck to the back door and tapped home a pass from Josh Sterk, who picked up his 2nd helper on the evening.

Szypula's marker was enough to guarantee the Attack a single point and force the teams to play 3-on-3 with the game on the line.

And it was in overtime that Cianfrone really made his impact on the game.

With just 33 seconds left in the extra period, Cianfrone held off two Rangers' defenders before sliding the puck into the Kitchener net, securing the Owen Sound win.

The goal gave Cianfrone three points on the evening, good for the honour of Mac Taylor Corporation 1st Star of the Game. Rookie forward Nick Suzuki was named the game's 3rd star thanks to his early goal and a helper on the game winner, while Kitchener's Luke Henderson earned 2nd star of the game.

The Mark McDade Remax Shots on Goal finished at 35-30 for the Attack, with Michel McNiven turning aside 26 shots in the winning effort.

The Attack are right back at it tomorrow night when they host the Guelph Storm in the 2015-16 Bruce Telecom Home Opener.

Fans are invited to join the Attack at the 560 CFOS/Mix 106.5/Country 93 Attack Home Opener Celebration, which runs from 5:30 pm right up until puck drop and will feature a charity barbecue, draws, and much more.

Tickets for Saturday's game against the Storm are available at the DJ's Furniture Box Office, online at www.attackhockey.com, or by calling 519-371-7452.

This season of Attack Hockey is brought to you by Caframo.

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from September 25, 2015


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