OHL Soo Greyhounds

Murray Solid as Hounds Push Owen Sound to OT

Published on March 22, 2013 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Soo Greyhounds News Release


The Soo Greyhounds put together a solid case to remove any doubt the team's lack of playoff experience would be a factor against the Attack.

Opening their Western Conference quarter-final series in Owen Sound Thursday, the Hounds came out strong and with poise from the opening face-off in a game that would go into extra time before deciding the contest.

"I thought our start was great.  Probably the best start we've had this season, atleast the best since I've been here anyways.  We came out took control of the game.  Our guys were prepared and ready.  Obviously getting the first goal was big but we need to get more than one  goal clearly to win a hockey game, but couldn't have asked for a better start" began Hounds Head Coach Sheldon Keefe.

The first goal of the game came 7:37 into the first when DARNELL NURSE'S point shot saw the rebound in front where MICHAEL SCHUMACHER backhanded it past Attack goalie Jordan Binnington for the 1-0 lead.

Just over the midway point of the period, MATT MURRAY kept the game in the Hounds favour stopping a redirection from a Cody Ceci point shot in one of his 9 saves of the period.

Owen Sound would pull even though in the final minute when Artur Gavrus picked up the puck off the initial point shot, circled the net and tucked home a wrap-around for a 1-1 tie after twenty minutes.

Early in the second the Hounds would lose the services of JARED MCCANN (3:55) when Cameron Brace hit the Hounds forward in the neutral zone.

While Brace received a minor penalty for a "check to the head", McCann left the game and did not return.

As of late Thursday Night he remained at hospital under evaluation with no results on the extent of any possible injury.

Zack Nastaciuk broke in shorthanded later in the period but was foiled by a glove save by Murray, and then with 7:19 to go, Daniel Catenacci forced Murray to move left to right before turning aside Brace on the Attack powerplay.

With both of the game's goalies combining for 27 saves in the period, the Hounds and Attack finished two periods remaining tied 1-1.

"He was outstanding.  It's the best I've seen him in all facets of his game.  The confidence he showed in the net, the confidence he showed leaving the net  to play the puck really was an outstanding game.  To me he was the best goalie on the ice and that's a real positive for our team" commented Keefe when questioned about his goalies play on the night.

Owen Sound pressed in the opening minute of the third, where Hounds defenceman ALEX GUDBRANSON slid to stop an attempted feed to the slot and break up the Attack chance.

Later, with 7:50 to go, SCHUMACHER forced a turnover before skating in alone but wired the shot wide of Binnington's glove side and keeping the score even.

Then while shorthanded NICK HALAGIAN and RYAN SPROUL broke in on a play that had a Greyhound edge, but could not capitalize.

A period that was highlighted with Hounds defensive plays and blocks, along with timely saves by Murray saw the club force overtime.

After ending the final forty-nine seconds on a powerplay, the man advantage for the Hounds carried over to the extra session but failed to put the club ahead.

The locals went 0-for-5 on the powerplay on the night.

"We had a number of powerplay opportunities, created some chances and had some pucks around the net but didn't execute the way we would have like to there.  Even 5-on-5 we had opportunities, missed the net on some, didn't bear down on others.  The difference between winning and losing in a game like tonight was very, very small and the game could have gone either way.  It hurts to lose a game like that because our guys deserved to win with the way they played" said Keefe.

Just under five minutes into overtime, Owen Sound would grab the winner when Daniel Milne appeared to hit part of the post before getting the puck past Murray for a 2-1 Attack win.

With the loss, the Hounds now trail the best-of-seven series 1-0, with Game 2 set for this coming Saturday, March 23rd, 7:30 p.m. at the J.D. McArthur Arena here in Owen Sound.

The Bay Mills Resort & Casino's pre-game show on Rock 101 begins at 7 p.m.

"It's important to remain positive.  We talked about the fact that you're in a playoff series and you're not going to win every game and you have to be able to dust yourself off and get back out and do it all over again.  We have a better sense what to expect from that team having not seen them for quite some time.  We'll make some adjustments for Game 2 and look to be better next time out" concluded Keefe.

ATTENDANCE - 2,411

RED STAR THREE STARS OF THE GAME

1 - Daniel Milne, OS

2 - Jordan Binnginton, OS

3 - Matt Murray, SSM

Check out the Soo Greyhounds Statistics

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from March 22, 2013


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