The second half of the Ontario Hockey League season begins this afternoon with the traditional post-Christmas game at Plymouth as the Whalers host the Erie Otters in the Western Conference.
Then tonight in the other match scheduled for the day, the Owen Sound Attack open a home & home series with the Colts, meeting them in Barrie this evening with the rematch tomorrow night at the J.D. McArthur Arena.
Have I mentioned before that the Attack play 6 home & home series over the season, essentially 1/5th of their entire schedule in home & homes, and Owen Sound ALWAYS starts the home & home on the road ?
Regardless, with 10 days between now and their last game, fatigue shouldn’t be a factor for Owen Sound, nor Barrie.
The handicappers will give the Attack the edge as they have 44 points on the year compared to just 15 for Barrie who are last in the overall standings.
Furthermore, in the season series to this point, Owen Sound has won all 3 games against the Colts.
But lest we forget, Owen Sound dropped their last two games going into the Christmas break, while Barrie won 2 of their last 3 outings.
Christmas is a time for hope, and here’s hoping the Attack don’t allow Barrie to dream of anything other than the # 1 pick in the OHL Priority Selection.
Welcome back to the OHL’s second half.
I’m Fred Wallace