Attack Concede Late Goal in Road Loss to Storm
It was a very much last goal wins type of game Friday night in Guelph, as the Owen Sound Attack conceded at the game winning goal with under two minutes to play, falling 4-3 to the rival Guelph Storm.
It was a special teams battle early in the game as the teams traded power play markers just six minutes apart. First it was Max Namestnikov getting the Storm on the board, but it was Matthew Papais who showed great hand-eye in pulling the Attack even. It took just eight seconds into the power play for Papais to claim his 10th of the season, as Servac Petrovsky had a clean face-off win, before James Petrovsky went across the blufeline to Nolan Seed who’s sent a perfect shots to the net for Papais to deflect.
Guelph would reclaim the lead late in the period, but Owen Sound was able to bang home a second power play goal of the night under five minutes into the second, bringing the game back even. This time it was Kaleb Lawrence who used his big frame in a net front presence to chip a loose puck home tying the game 2-2. It was not long after the Lawrence goal that Guelph pulled back in front, but the Attack had a quick response of their own, as Julian Fantino brought the game back square 3-3 just 32 seconds later.
After playing a home and home just two weekends ago, you could tell that bad blood was boiling between the division rivals as players would acquaint themselves after each whistle. Though with many post-whistle scrums, the final 30 minutes would be played mostly 5-on-5.
It looked as the game would be similar to the previous two meetings, in need of extra hockey. It would not play out as such as a small miscommunication in the Attack zone led to Storm rookie Jett Luchanko alone in front, as he slid the puck under goalie Nick Chenard. With under two minutes on the clock the Attack would press for the equalizer but it was with no result as the Storm would hold strong and claim the victory.
The teams will reunite tomorrow night back at the Bayshore as the Attack will look to get even on home ice. Tickets for tomorrow night are limited but can be purchased at the MacVicor and McComb Sutton Realty Attack Box Office by calling 519-371-7452 or going online at tickets.attackhockey.com.
