When was the last time we had a game like tonight’s for the Owen Sound Attack ?
A truly meaningful game tonight here in Erie, which provides an opportunity for Owen Sound to clinch a playoff spot, eliminate the Kitchener Rangers, bypass the Otters for 7th place in the West, plus, keep the longshot hope of finishing even higher alive, all in the same night.
Now in some OHL centers, they’ll look down their noses at such ballyhoo about tonight’s game for 7th place.
But here in Owen Sound, it’s been a long time since we’ve had such a game.
I’d venture to say, the last time would have been the final home game of the 2006 season.
Remember that game with Windsor on March 18th of that year and what an exciting finish to the fiasco it was.
The scenario that night was if the Attack won, they would jump into 6th place and meet the Kitchener Rangers in the first round, which really wasn’t a desirable fate.
Nevertheless, if memory serves me correctly, the Attack roared out to a quick 4-0 lead, then elected to rest their top performers, Windsor made a stunning comeback and eventually tied the game forcing overtime, then a shootout when Andrej Sekera won it.
The victory, it was thoguht sealed Owen Sound’s doom, destined to lose to the Rangers quickly in the playoffs.
But as many recall, those playoffs produced 11 amazing games, a stunning comeback and really, the last time Owen Sound had a meaningful showdown.
Who knows what’s ahead tonight, or in the days ahead.
I’m Fred Wallace