The Owen Sound Attack are taking a lengthy loop to Erie Pennsylvania and back, playing 3 times, twice on the road, this week in the Ontario Hockey League.
The Attack have 17 games remaining in the regular season & as
the day unfolds Owen Sound is tied with the Saginaw Spirit for 5th in the Western Conference, 3 points back of the Sarnia Sting for 4th.
First, second and third in the Conference have sailed, and the lone remaining position that offers home ice advantage in the opening round of the playoffs is 4th.
The Sting, who are in the midst of a busy road sequence themselves, hold 4th and have played one less game than Owen Sound and Saginaw.
The Attack have been streaky this season, losing 3-winning three at various times and now face the prospect of building a win streak after enduring a difficult 6 game losing streak in January.
Saginaw, they’ve got momentum, having started the season 1 & 7, they’re now rolling and threatening to overhaul the field for 4th.
And let’s not overlook Windsor, Guelph and Sault Ste Marie where a Saginaw-like hot streak could alter fortunes in fairly short order.
The Attack are at Erie tonight, Brampton tomorrow and then home on Saturday to host the Peterborough Petes.
I’m stretching if I call these 3 matches ” must win ” games, but in terms of the chase for 4th and the race to eliminate 1 of 6 in the derby for a playoff spot, it’s pretty close to a ” must win ” scenario
I’m Fred Wallace