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OHL Owen Sound Attack

Palmu Spearheads Comeback over IceDogs

February 29, 2016 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Owen Sound Attack News Release


Petrus Palmu saw Ethan Szypula's four goal, one assist performance against the Mississauga Steelheads and said "whatever you can do, I can do too."

Because that's exactly what the Finnish import did when the Attack played host to the Niagara IceDogs on Monday, Feb. 29.

Palmu's impressive offensize night capped off a wild 3rd period come back that saw the Attack take a 5-2 win over the visiting IceDogs after trailing 2-1 through 40 minutes of play.

Ethan Szypula would also come up big for the Attack on the night, contributing three assists - all in the 3rd period - in the winning cause.

Niagara struck first on the evening, scoring at the 4:25 mark to interrupt the solid momentum Owen Sound had built up with some early pressure in the Niagara zone.

IceDogs forward Pavel Jenys would bang in a rebound off of an Aaron Haydon shot, which was just Niagara's attempt on net of the night, to make it a 1-0 lead for the visitors.

The IceDogs would then have a goal called back for going offside shortly after, negating what would be a 2-0 lead and sending the Attack to the intermission needing to overcome just a one goal deficit in the final 40 minutes.

Despite trailing, the ice was firmly tilted in Owen Sound's direction in the 1st period, as the Attack outshot the IceDogs 14-5.

The 2nd period was a bit of a different story though, as the momentum seemed to favour Niagara until just about midway through the stanza.

The turning point was Owen Sound's first Baywest Nissan Powerplay of the game, an opportunity they wouldn't waste.

With Niagara's Brendan Perlini in the box for high sticking Liam Dunda, Santino Centorame would set up Petrus Palmu who blasted a picture perfect one-timer past Alex Nedeljkovic to make it a 1-1 game. Jonah Gadjovich would also assist on Palmu's 16th of the year, which came at 9:51 of the period.

Niagara would respond though, restoring their one goal lead on a pretty passing play with 17:32 gone in the 2nd.

Pavel Jenys would be the goal scorer, making it a 2-1 game on assists from Stephen Harper and Josh Ho-Sang.

Owen Sound was determined to launch a comeback though, and with 7:03 gone in the 3rd period they would make it a 2-2 game courtesy of Sean Durzi's 6th goal of the year.

After a long bout of pressure in the IceDogs' zone, Petrus Palmu would find Durzi standing all alone in the high slot, and the rookie defenceman would snap a laser beam past the Niagara netminder. Ethan Szypula would also assist on the play, which breathed life into the Bayshore faithful.

That jubilant crowd would boost the guys on the ice, and just moments after tying the game, the Attack would jump into the lead.

A scrambly play by the line of Palmu, Szypula, and Kevin Hancock would see Szypula get a weak backhander on net that Alex Nedeljkovic would kick aside. But in perfect position for the rebound, Palmu would pick up his 2nd goal of night by beating a down and out IceDogs' goalie with 10:33 left in the game. Palmu's 3rd point of the game would be assisted by both of his linemates, giving Szypula a multi-point game as well.

The Finnisher wasn't done there either.

With the Attack on yet another Paul Davis Systems Penalty Kill, Palmu would force a turnover in the neutral zone before streaking in and ripping home his 3rd of the evening at 16:08 to make it a 4-2 game.

Palmu would then cap off a crazy 3rd period rally with his fourth goal of the night with just 1:42 left in regulation.

Taking a saucer pass from Ethan Szypula, Palmu fired home another shot along the low glove side to make it 5-2, a score that would stand as the final. Jacob Friend would also assist on the play.

The Mark McDade Remax Shots on Goal finished at 31-28 on the evening as Michael McNiven would make 26 saves en route to picking up his 19th win of the year.

Palmu's four point night would garner him Mac Taylor Corporation 1st Star of the Game while his linemate Ethan Szypula would pick up 3rd star honours. Niagara's Pavel Jenys was named the game's 2nd star, while Owen Sound Captain Santino Centorame rounded out the awards by picking up Hatten Home Building Centre Hardest Working Player honours.

The Attack will now spend a few days practicing before their final three game road trip of the year kicks off on Thursday, Mar. 3 when the team heads to North Bay for a 7:00pm tilt with the Battalion.

Owen Sound's next home game is slated for Wednesday, Mar. 9, also at 7:00pm when the Barrie Colts come to town.

Fans can purchase tickets for that game, and the Attack's 2016 Ontario Hockey Leage Playoff games at the DJ's Furniture Attack Box Office, or by calling 519-371-7452.

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from February 29, 2016


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