The Owen Sound Attack will welcome a former Bear to the Bayshore when they host the Niagara Ice Dogs on Wednesday, Jan. 28. Goaltender Brandon Hope will be making his only appearance in Owen Sound while wearing a visiting jersey this year, and he will be leading a resurgent Niagara squad into the game.
Wednesday's contest marks the 2nd time the Attack and the Ice Dogs will have met this year, with Niagara having won the last meeting by a score of 8-7 in overtime back in January.
Since that contest, Niagara has quickly pulled itself out of the basement of the Eastern Conference into contention for home ice in the playoffs. Their turnaround is thanks in large part to the play of New York Islanders draft pick Josh Ho-Sang who leads the team with 55 points in 38 games this year.
Niagara is 8-0-2-0 in their last 10 games and will arrive at the Bayshore coming off of a 7-4 win over Barrie on Sunday, Jan. 25.
The Attack enter Wednesday's game having been defeated by Erie in their last outing, and are 5-4-0-1 in their last 10 games.
Powering the offence for Owen Sound heading into the game is the trio of Kyle Platzer, Zach Nastasiuk, and Erik Bradford.
Platzer leads the Attack with 55 points, a career high, while Nastasiuk has also set a career high in points this year contributing 26 goals and 27 assists in 43 games. Since being acquired at the trade deadline, overage forward Erik Bradford has scored four times while adding two assists in seven games with the Attack and now has 41 points on the year.
Tickets for Wednesday's game 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 Attack have turned the corner as of late and have really been finding their game while five on five. Because of the hardworking, hard nosed style of play that Owen Sound employs, the team will have to work just as hard to stay out of the penalty box and prevent Niagara's talented forwards from generating any chances on the man advantage.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Josh Ho-Sang, RW, Niagara IceDogs
12G, 43A, 38GP
A lightning rod kind of player, Josh Ho-Sang has displayed the ability to change a game in either direction with his style of play. A change in scenery has seemed to work wonders for the right winger, and he is flourishing in Niagara. In his last outing, Ho-Sang scored twice while adding three assists for a stellar five point evening.
Zach Nastasiuk, RW, Owen Sound Attack
26G, 27A, 43GP
The 48th overall pick by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, Nastasiuk has set a number of career milestones recently. On January 16 against Ottawa, Nastasiuk scored his 24th of the year to tie his career high in goals before surpassing it with a pair against the Mississauga steelheads on the 18th. Then, in a game against the Kingston Frontenacs he contributed his 51st and 52nd points of the year via assists to tie and pass his career high in point production from last year.
Source - Owen Sound Attack
