OHL Owen Sound Attack

Pearson Hat Trick Leads Attack to Lopsided 11-1 Victory over IceDogs

Published on February 6, 2020 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Owen Sound Attack News Release


The Owen Sound Attack hit the road once again to meet the Niagara IceDogs at the Meridan Centre on a snowy Thursday night in St. Catharines. Both teams came into the evening's game needing crucial points for a tight playoff race in the West and the East. The Attack started the night ranked 7th in the West while the IceDogs were just a few points ahead of the Kingston Frontenacs for 8th in the East. Mack Guzda started for the Attack and former Owen Sound netminder Andrew MacLean got the nod for the home team. Former Attack forward Jackson Doherty was in the lineup for the IceDogs but Matt Philip would miss the game due to an upper body injury.

The Attack started the night out looking like a team desperate for a win. After the first five minutes of the game, Owen Sound was leading in shots 10-1 over Niagara. Shortly after the six minute mark, Aidan Dudas capitalized on a big rebound from a Deni Goure and Matthew Struthers give and go. Dudas made no mistake depositing the rebound past an outstretched MacLean for his 13th of the season and an early 1-0 advantage. The Owen Sound pressure didn't let up after the first goal, and Andrew MacLean was bombarded with shots in the opening frame. Attack shooters put twenty three pucks on the Niagara net and with less than five minutes remaining in the period Kaleb Pearson and his linemates Barret Kirwin and Sergey Popov teamed up to double the lead. Niagara got one back on a Cameron Butler cannon on a power play, but the two-goal lead would be restored shortly after. The captain continued his hot night by wiring one past MacLean on a partial breakaway for his 2nd of the night and 14th of the year. Owen Sound led after the first 20 minutes 3-1 and were ahead in shots 23-4.

Owen Sound began the 2nd period on a power play after earning a late man advantage in the 1st. They were unable to convert, but the offense wouldn't slow down. Shortly after the power play expired, Kaleb Pearson tipped home an Andrew Perrott point shot to put the Attack up three with his second of the evening. Matthew Struthers scored the fifth Owen Sound goal of the night after Carter Robertson dangled his way through a slew of IceDogs at the blueline, fed it to Dudas who left it for the overaged forward. Struthers made no mistake and went high blocker to put the Attack up 4. The visitors played a tremendous road period, holding the IceDogs without a shot for almost the first 15 minutes of the period. The first shot was met with cheers from the Meridian Centre faithful. Niagara ended with three shots in the period, all of which Guzda turned away. In the final minute, Owen Sound struck again. First it was Pearson completing the hat trick after chasing down a loose puck in the neutral zone. Thirty seconds later, Ethan Burroughs dug out a loose puck to Josh Samanski who left it for Burroughs. Burroughs roofed it over MacLean's outstretched glove to make it 7-1 after two periods of play. Owen Sound outshot the IceDogs 36-7 after forty minutes.

Starting the third, Head Coach Alan Letang put his 3rd and 4th lines out for extended shifts. No matter who was out there, the Attack continued their outstanding play. Deni Goure scored on a breakaway after being sprung by Brady Lyle at the five minute mark. Brady Lyle notched one of his own at the ten minute mark that was declared a goal after a lengthy review by the officials. Less than three minutes later, Lyle added another with a backhand on a delayed penalty call to put the Attack up 10-1. Sergey Popov scored his 15th of the year minutes later for his 5th point of the night and an 11-1 lead with just under five minutes remaining.

The Hatten Home Building Centre Hardest Working Player was Matthew Struthers, who had a goal and two assists. The Owen Sound Bug Juice North Stars Three Stars were Matthew Struthers (1G, 2A), Aidan Dudas (2G, 2A) and Kaleb Pearson (3G, 1A).

The Attack visit the Erie Otters on Saturday night at 7 pm. The game can be heard on 560 CFOS Bear Radio and streamed online at OHLLive.com. Owen Sound returns home next Wednesday to meet the Hamilton Bulldogs. Tickets are available at the MacVicar & McComb Sutton Realty Attack Box Office and online.

Check out the Owen Sound Attack Statistics

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from February 6, 2020


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