OHL Owen Sound Attack

Weekend Preview

March 12, 2015 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Owen Sound Attack News Release


The Owen Sound Attack kick off the penultimate weekend of the OHL season with a trip to Barrie to take on the Colts on Thursday, Mar. 12. Owen Sound and Barrie have met five times already on the season, with the Attack boasting a 3-2 advantage in the season series, including wins in each of the last two encounters.

Thursday night's game is certain to have a playoff-like atmosphere, as both teams are fighting for positioning in the 1st round. While the Colts currently hold down the 2nd spot in the Eastern Conference and are 1st in the Central Division, they are only three points up on the North Bay Battalion.

For Owen Sound, the game against Barrie represents a chance to gain more ground on the Guelph Storm - who are three points up for 4th place in the Western Conference - while also putting more distance between them and the Kitchener Rangers, who trail the Attack by three points for 5th. Both Guelph and Kitchener are also in action on Thursday night, with the Storm heading to Windsor to take on the Spitfires, and the Rangers clashing against the London Knights.

The Attack are hopeful that captain Zach Nastasiuk will return to the lineup this weekend after missing four games with an upper body injury. Prior to his injury, Nastasiuk was on a 13 game point scoring streak that saw him notch five goals and 12 assists. Nastasiuk began the streak on Jan. 31 against Sudbury and kept it going with an assist on Feb. 28 against the Erie Otters before suffering the injury.

Owen Sound will also look for Kyle Platzer to help them out in a big way against the Colts on Thursday. Platzer, who leads the team in points with 72 on the year, has been held off of the scoresheet in the team's last four games.

Barrie enters Thursday's game with two players already having eclipsed the 100-point mark on the year. Andrew Mangiapane has 99 points and will look to join teammates Joseph Blandisi and Kevin Labanc at the century mark.

Thursday night's game can be watched live on Rogers Local 53 at 7:30 pm or listened to on 560 CFOS with Fred Wallace.

The Attack will then travel to London for a divisional match up with the Knights on Friday night before hosting those same Knights on Saturday, Mar. 14 at 7:30 pm.

Tickets for Saturday's game are down to standing room only and can be purchased at the DJ's Furniture Attack Box Office.

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

KEYS TO VICTORY

The Attack and Colts have a unique rivalry being two of the only inter-conference teams that face each other more than twice a year. Because of this, the games usually wind up as chippy, intense affairs. While the Attack have benefited from a solid penalty kill in recent games, success against Barrie has come thanks to their ability to avoid the rough stuff after whistles. The Attack will look to continue that on Thursday night. Another key for Owen Sound will be capitalizing on their power play, which has been held scoreless in its last 12 attempts.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Kyle Platzer, C, Owen Sound Attack

29G, 43A, 62GP

Despite not having found the scoresheet in his last four games, Platzer has still been a big part of the Attack's push to the playoffs. The versatile forward plays in all positions, and has become one of the best penalty killers on the roster. The Edmonton Oilers' 4th round selection in 2013 has been one of the breakout players in the OHL this year, and it is not likely he finds himself held pointless much longer.

Andrew Mangiapane, C, Barrie Colts

40G, 59A, 63GP

In just his 2nd year in the league, Mangiapane has taken great strides from his rookie season. After only scoring 51 points last year, he has already almost doubled his production this season. He will look to become the 3rd Colt to surpass the 100 point mark this year, making Barrie the only team in the league with three 100 point players. That might not last for long though, as Max Domi of the London Knights has 97 points and could join teammates Christian Dvorak and Mitch Marner soon enough.

Check out the Owen Sound Attack Statistics



Ontario Hockey League Stories from March 12, 2015


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