Fresh off of a thrilling come from behind victory over the Kitchener Rangers, the Owen Sound Attack are set to travel to Guelph on Friday, Jan 2 for the 1st game of a weekend home and home against the Storm.
Just two points separate the divisional rivals, as Guelph is 4th in the Western Conference with 42 points in 36 games, while the Attack boast a 16-10-2-6 for 40 points in 34 games, leaving them 5th in the West.
Friday night's game at the Sleeman Centre, a 7:30 pm start, will mark the 4th time the two teams have met on the season. Guelph holds a 2-1 advantage in what has been an extremely close season series, with all three games being decided by just one goal and two of them needing a shootout to determine the winner. Guelph's Robby Fabbri, Pius Suter, and Phil Baltisberger are all representing their countries, with Fabbri suiting up for Team Canada while both Suter and Baltisberger are playing for their native Switzerland.
The Attack are also riding a pair of personal highs going into Friday's tilt. In the 5-4 shootout win over Kitchener on New Year's Day, Attack captain Zach Nastasiuk scored twice to give him 20 goals on the year, a total that pushed him to 150 career Ontario Hockey League points.
Defenceman and assistant captain Chris Bigras also reached a career milestone, totalling four assists in the win to give him a career best of 39 points through just 32 games. Bigras' four points also propelled him to the top of the OHL's defensive scoring race, where he sits ahead of Oshawa's Mitchell Vande Sompel by one point.
On Saturday, the Attack and Storm will face off at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre as part of the Rogers Hometown Hockey Tour weekend.
Puck drop is set for 7:30 pm and concludes a thrilling day of festivities, which will take place in the Bayshore's south parking lot. A full list of activities on the weekend, as well as pertinent parking information can be found at http://attackhockey.com/page/rogers-hometown-hockey-tour.
Tickets for Saturday night's game, and all Attack home games can be purchased at the DJ's Furniture Attack Box Office, online at www.attackhockey.com, or by calling 519-371-7452.
This season of Attack Hockey is brought to you by Caframo.
KEYS TO VICTORY
The Sleeman Centre has become one of the OHL's toughest arenas to play in, with Storm fans being a raucous bunch. For the Attack to build on their momentum from Thursday's win they will need to get on the board early and take the crowd out of it. Capitalizing on a strong forecheck while tightening up some loose play in their own zone will keep the Storm from getting any momentum of their own going, which will make the game easier for Owen Sound.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Chris Bigras, 19, D, Owen Sound
12 G, 27 A, 32 GP
In his past 4 games, the 4th year defender has amassed 11 points, including a five point and a four point performance on home ice. Bigras is the definition of a two way defenceman and when he is able to dictate the play at both ends of the ice, the Attack are a very, very difficult team to stop.
Tyler Bertuzzi, 19, LW, Guelph
21 G, 28 A, 36 GP
Likely a future teammate of Attack captain Zach Nastasiuk, Tyler Bertuzzi is having a career year with the Guelph storm, and as such is leading them in points. A rugged two way forward, Bertuzzi is at his best when he is agitating his opponent and the Attack will have to contend with his post whistle antics as well as his ability to find the back of the net.
Source - Owen Sound Attack
