The Owen Sound Attack of the Ontario Hockey League open their training camp today & I hope they’re ready for the season.
You might think, ‘ what’s the rush, Fred; the season doesn’t start for 26 days ? ‘
Well, a year ago, with equal time to prepare, Owen Sound opened the season at Barrie and got slaughtered 9-1 in what was a tone setter for the early portion of the OHL season in which they won once in their first 8 or 9 games.
In fairness, Barrie was an experienced team last year, even on Opening Night, bolstered by big trades with Belleville that brought them Luke Pither and Bryan Cameron.
But wait a minute…….the Guelph team Owen Sound will encounter this year, not only on Opening Night but also the following night in Owen Sound for the home opener, is also an experienced squad.
You can make the argument that Holland, Beck, Latta & McNaughton will be as formidable as Pither, Cameron, Hutchings and Della Rovere were a year ago.
Furthermore, this is the same Guelph organization that has finished ahead of Owen Sound in the standings for SIXTEEN of the last 17 years.
Plus, the home and home with Guelph to open the season is the first half of an all MidWest Division start for the Attack that also includes London & Kitchener.
I’m experienced enough to know the regular season is a long way off, but still I wonder, are the Attack ready ?
I’m Fred Wallace