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OHL Owen Sound Attack

Niagara Races into Town

February 23, 2016 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Owen Sound Attack News Release


The Owen Sound Attack have a chance to clinch a playoff spot when the Niagara IceDogs come to town for a midweek game on Wednesday, Feb. 24.

Sitting at 26-20-7-3, good for 62 points and 7th in the Western Conference, the Attack can punch their ticket to the postseason with a victory over the Eastern Conference's 4th place team.

The win would move Owen Sound to 64 points, a mark that the Western Conference's 9th place Flint Firebirds could only tie. With the Attack owning a perfect 4-0 record against Flint this year, the mark would be enough to secure Owen Sound's 6th straight playoff berth.

A victory would also push the Attack back into 6th place in the Western Conference, two points ahead of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds.

Wednesday's game doesn't just have direct implications on Owen Sound's playoff hunt though.

For the IceDogs, the game is a chance to separate from a pack of teams who sit at 62 points in the Eastern Conference. Currently in 4th place with a record of 28-22-3-3, Niagara is embroiled in a battle for home ice with Peterborough and Mississauga who both also have 62 points on the season. Also breathing down their necks are the Ottawa 67's, who have 61 points on the year.

Owen Sound enters the midweek tilt, their 3rd such game in the three weeks, with a record of 6-3-1-0 in their last 10 games and is fresh off of a dominant 4-1 win over the Guelph Storm in their last outing.

Niagara, who is 4-6-0 in their last 10 contests, is also coming off of a 4-1 victory; this one over the Ottawa 67's on Monday night in what was a rescheduled game after ice issues on Saturday.

In the only previous meeting between the Attack and IceDogs on the year, Owen Sound romped to a 7-4 victory at the Meridian Centre in St. Catharines back on Jan. 21.

The Attack offence, which has been clicking as of late, is led into Wednesday's contest by a pair of veteran forwards who are enjoying solid point streaks.

Overage assistant captain Bryson Cianfrone has picked up 10 points over a seven game point streak, a stretch of games that has seen him tally three goals and seven assists. Five of those points have come in the team's last two games alone.

Also boosting the offence for the Attack is Finnish import, Petrus Palmu. Recently named the Attack's Becker Shoes Player of the Week, Palmu has points in three straight games, including four goals and two assists.

The sophomore forward's recent offensive outburst has given him 32 points on the year, just 10 shy of the mark he set in his rookie season, despite having only suited up in 42 games this year.

Niagara comes into Wednesday's game powered by the offensive dynamo, Josh Ho-Sang. The New York Islanders' first round pick from 2014 has contributed 16 goals and 49 assists to the IceDogs' campaign this year, while Jordan Maletta is the team's leading scorer with 30 goals on the year.

Fans can purchase tickets for the game by visiting the DJ's Furniture Attack Box Office, calling 519-371-7452, or logging on to www.attackhockey.com.

The Weekend Preview is presented by Joe Tomato's, located next to the Galaxy Cinemas on the Sunset Strip. For half priced wings and appetizers, Attack fans can bring their ticket stubs into Joe Tomato's following every home game.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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