Nobody knows it yet, but I’ve been growing a playoff beard this year.
As soon as the Owen Sound Attack clinched an OHL playoff spot last Thursday night, I decided, ‘ why not ? ‘
Like I say, the playoffs may be well underway before my face gives me away, still the point is the beard is facial marking to congratulate the Attack on making the post season.
Owen Sound’s very modest goal this season was to upgrade from their survival mode a year ago and take the next step.
Owen Sound hit those initial targets and I believe congratulations are in order.
They hit their target with 5 games to spare in the regular season.
They hit their target with just 1 overage & 1 European import in the lineup
They hit their target with 3 underagers and manged to work a 4th one into a handful of games.
They hit their target with a 17 year old as their top offensive threat.
They hit their target with a defence corps were really only one defender generates offense from the back.
They hit their target without a 17 year old goal scorer for a quarter of the season as he sat out a suspension without merit.
And there were many other traps and hurdles along the way that Owen Sound managed to navigate.
Lest anyone think this is a critical piece, it’s far from it.
It’s applause for achievement……
But the backpatting is essentially over now.
Three more regular season games in a flurry this week and then the business of trying to take the next major step in a playoff series.
I’m Fred Wallace