Looking to bounce back from a pair of disappointing losses, the Owen Sound Attack will take to the ice three times in the penultimate week of the 2017-18 Ontario Hockey League season.
Sitting at a record of 32-22-3-5, Owen Sound is two points back of the London Knights who have 74 points and are currently slated to finish 4th in the Western Conference and with the final home ice designation for the 2018 OHL Playoffs.
Despite having dropped two straight outings, the Attack are still one of the OHL's hottest teams since the beginning of February, and in their last 10 games have posted a 7-2-1-0 record - helping them climb from 7th in the Conference up to 4th at one point.
With just six games left in the regular season, Owen Sound will travel to Barrie on Thursday, Mar. 8 to begin their final push for the Playoffs and draw level with the Knights in what has turned into a tantalizing battle for home ice.
Thursday night's affair at the Molson Centre will mark the 6th and final meeting of the year between the Highway 26 Rivals, with Barrie currently leading the series four games to one.
The Attack's lone victory against the Colts this season came on Wednesday, Jan. 31 when they doubled up Barrie 4-2 at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre.
Currently 11 points up on the Niagara IceDogs in the race for the Central Division title, the Colts begin their week of action in 2nd place in the Eastern Conference thanks to their 38-21-2-1 record, which puts them at 79 points. Leading the way for Barrie on the year is overage forward Aaron Luchuk, whose 45 goals are tops in the entire league, while his 105 points through 62 games is one shy of Sarnia Sting forward Jordan Kyrou for the league lead.
Continuing to pace the Attack is Vegas Golden Knights prospect Nick Suzuki, whose 89 points through 58 games on the year has him on pace for a career best 98 points.
Fans can watch Thursday night's tilt, which gets underway at 7:30pm, on Rogers Local 53 or by tuning into Fred Wallace's call on Kia of Owen Sound/Terry's Trailer Service Bear Radio on 560 CFOS.
Following the game against the Colts, Owen Sound will return home for a pair of weekend games against the Saginaw Spirit and the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds.
Taking on the Spirit on Saturday night at 7:30pm, the Attack will look to even up the two game season long set against Saginaw after dropping the only other meeting of the year between the squads by a score of 5-3 back on Nov. 18.
Saginaw, who plays in Guelph on Friday night, currently sits in 7th in the Western Conference thanks to their 28-26-8-0 mark. With 64 points on the year, the Spirit are neck and neck with both the Windsor Spitfires and the aforementioned Guelph Storm for what will be an exciting race for the 6th, 7th, and 8th seeds in the post season.
The Attack will then conclude their weekend with the final Investment Planning Counsel Sunday game of the year on Mar. 11 against the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, currently the Canadian Hockey League's number 1 ranked squad.
Already having captured the Ontario Hockey League's regular season title, the Hounds boast a record of 52-6-2-2 and 108 points, 17 more than the next closest squad.
Sunday's game will mark the 2nd and final meeting of the year between the Attack and Sault Ste. Marie, with the Greyhounds having recorded a 5-2 win at the Essar Centre back on Jan. 12.
Fans are reminded that IPC Sunday Games feature free popcorn for the first 200 children through the gates, jersey giveaways, and a post game skate and autograph session with the team. Everyone is welcome to participate in the post game skate, but ONLY those with skates will be allowed on the ice and all children must be wearing a CSA approved helmet.
Tickets for Owen Sound's games on Saturday and Sunday are limited, but can still be purchased at the MacVicar & McComb ReMax Attack Box Office.
source: media release, Owen Sound Attack
