In a fight for playoff positioning, the Owen Sound Attack will travel east in search of crucial cross-conference points as they look to continue climbing the OHL's Western Conference standings.
Currently in 7th place in the Western Conference with a 23-19-2-5 record and 53 points, the Attack sit just three points back of the London Knights, who hold down the 4th spot in the standings.
Riding a four game winning streak, including wins over the 2nd place teams in both the East and West, Owen Sound will begin their trip in Peterborough against the Petes on Thursday night.
The first meeting of the season between the teams, puck drop is scheduled for 7:05pm at the Peterborough Memorial Centre, and is sure to be a crucial matchup that will set the tone for the road trip.
Sitting in 9th place in the East, Peterborough enters the weekend at 18-27-3-3 on the year and is led by overage forward Nikita Korostelev, who has 55 points in 47 games on the year.
Owen Sound seems to be finding its stride as of late though, and the top line of Nick Suzuki, Kevin Hancock, and Jonah Gadjovich have combined for 13 points in the team's last three outings, with draft eligible forward Aidan Dudas and Philadelphia Flyers' prospect Maksim Sushko combining for nine points over that stretch as well.
Suzuki continues to lead the team with 67 points in 45 games, while Sushko's 25 goals is tied with the Vegas Golden Knights' prospect for the team lead.
Following Thursday night's contest, Owen Sound will head to Kingston to take on the Frontenacs on Friday evening in a 7:00pm affair.
While Peterborough sits low in the East, the Fronts are in 3rd place in the conference thanks to their 27-16-4-3 record and 61 points.
Having loaded up on Western Conference developed talent at the trade deadline by acquiring Gabriel Vilardi, Sean Day, Max Jones, and Cliff Pu, Kingston is an offensive powerhouse that is headed up by Jason Robertson's 69 points in 50 games.
Currently on a five game winning streak, the Frontenacs have picked up points in eight of their last 10 games, while Owen Sound is 7-3-0 in their previous 10 outings. Friday night's matchup will mark the final meeting of the year between the two teams after the Attack were defeated 2-1 in a shootout at the Bayshore back on Saturday, Dec. 16.
Following the game at the K-Rock Centre, the Attack will enjoy a day off in the nation's capital before concluding their road trip on Sunday with a 2:00pm game against the Ottawa 67's.
Sitting in 7th place in the Eastern Conference standings, the 67's will have squared off against the Oshawa Generals on Saturday afternoon before playing host to the Attack on Sunday.
The first meeting of the year between the sides, the game will mark Olivier Lafreniere's 1st trip back to Ottawa after being acquired by the Attack on Dec. 13.
Since being brought over from the 67's, Lafreniere has posted a 5-5-0-2 record, with a 2.67 goals against average and an .894 save percentage.
He and the Attack will be tasked with shutting down Ottawa's leading scorer, Sasha Chemelvski, who has 25 goals and 24 helpers through 50 games on the year.
All three games on Owen Sound's road trip will be available live on Kia of Owen Sound/Terry's Trailer Service Bear Radio on 560 CFOS or by watching live on Rogers Local 53.
The Attack will play their next home game on Wednesday, Feb. 14 when they play host to the London Knights in a 7:00pm puck drop at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre.
Tickets are limited to standing room and can be purchased at the MacVicar & McComb ReMax Attack Box Office.
source: media release, Owen Sound Attack
