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attackblack-fullThe Owen Sound Attack return home after a three-game road trip and will play host to the Kingston Frontenacs and the Erie Otters this Saturday and Sunday, respectively.

The arrival of the Fronts and Otters in the Scenic City also means a pair of World Junior Hockey Championship gold medallists will be skating at the Bayshore this weekend.

Kingston will be led into Saturday's contest by Lawson Crouse, currently ranked as the 4th-best skater in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft while projected first overall pick Connor McDavid will power the Otters offence on Sunday.

The two forwards were also the only underage players who suited up for Canada at the recent World Juniors, with McDavid leading the tournament in scoring having posted three goals and eight assists in seven games. Crouse contributed one goal and two assists over the course of the competition.

Owen Sound will enter Friday's game riding hot play from captain Zach Nastasiuk and leading scorer Kyle Platzer. Over three games on the recent road trip, Nastasiuk scored four times and added three assists to give him 50 points on the year, while Platzer contributed four assists, putting him at 52 points on the season.

Attack head coach Greg Ireland will be looking for his team to build on their success in Mississauga this past Sunday while working to combat a Kingston squad that plays a very similar style of play to the Attack.

Facing the Otters will be a different story, with the offensive powerhouse and Midwest Division leader boasting two players not named McDavid in the league's top seven scorers.

Saturday's game against Kingston is set for 7:30 pm while Sunday's is scheduled for2:00 pm. Fans are reminded of the Bell Skate with the Team and autograph session following the game against Erie. The first 200 children to Sunday's game will also receive a free small popcorn compliments of the staff at your local Investment Planning Counsel.

Tickets for Saturday's home game are available at the DJ's Furniture Attack Box Office, online at www.attackhockey.com or by calling (519) 371-7452. There is just standing room tickets left for Sunday's game and those can be purchased in person at the DJ's Furniture Attack Box Office.

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

KEYS TO VICTORY

VS. Kingston - The Kingston Frontenacs bring a workmanlike attitude to all of their games while proving to be very tight defensively. Because of the tightness of the Fronts' play, the Attack will look to generate as much traffic in front of the net as possible to prevent the Kingston netminder from seeing any shots. The forecheck and backcheck of the Attack will also be important, as the Frontenacs will bring a similar physicality to the game.

VS. Erie - With any elite level team, the key to victory is always limiting their time in the offensive zone. Keying in Connor McDavid will only allow the rest of Erie's talented forwards to work in the open space needed to create scoring chances. A very tight defensive game and a quick forecheck will give the Attack the opportunities necessary to win.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Lawson Crouse, LW, Kingston Frontenacs

16G, 7A, 30GP

While he may only be 5th in team scoring, Crouse is a big body and there is a reason he is projected to go 4th overall in June's NHL Entry Draft. He also brings a winning pedigree thanks to his World Junior Gold and will be a focus of Kingston's offence.

Connor McDavid, C, Erie Otters

21G, 39A, 23 GP

Before breaking his wrist, Connor McDavid was on pace to score 184 points this season. His point-per-game pace is second only to Wayne Gretzky in Ontario Hockey League history, and his skill is so high that even when the puck isn't on his stick he is creating scoring chances.

Zach Nastasiuk, RW, Owen Sound Attack

25G, 25A, 41 GP

Owen Sound's captain is showing why the Detroit Red Wings selected him in the 2nd round in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. After scoring seven points in three games this past weekend, Nastasiuk is on pace for a career high 82 points. More important than his point production is the intensity level he brings every night.

Source - Owen Sound Attack


 

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