Ontario Hockey League
Owen Sound Attack 5 Kitchener Rangers 2
The Owen Sound Attack have tied a franchise record with their 10th consecutive win in the Ontario Hockey League.
The 10 game win streak matches the original record established in 1996 under coach John Lovell and matched in 2004-05 with coach Mike Stothers.
The Attack never trailed against the Rangers as Santino Centorame opened the scoring 4 minutes into the first period
The teams rotated markers through the first 5 minutes of the 2nd period with Kitchener’s Connor Bunnaman and Joseph Garreffa sandwiched around a goal by Attack defender Markus Phillips to create a 2-2 tie.
Late in the 2nd period, Kevin Hancock deflected a shot past Luke Opilka on an Attack power play for the game winning marker.
Another power play goal by Jacob Friend in the 3rd period followed by an empty netter from Matt Schmalz sealed the victory and allowed the Attack to tie the existing franchise record for consecutive wins.
Of note, Ethan Szypula assisted on the Friend goal to give him 100 career points with the Attack.
Netminder Michael McNiven who momentarily had to depart late in the 1st period, returned and posted the win. That victory gives McNiven 21 on the season and 57 in his career, allowing him to tie Jamie Storr and Scott Stajcer for 3rd all time for Owen Sound goalkeeper wins.
The 10 game win streak has boosted Owen Sound’s point total to 53 and leaves them 2 points back of Erie and Windsor for 4th in the Western Conference. Both the Otters and Spitfires have played 2 less games than Owen Sound.
Kitchener remains at 47 points, good for 6th in the Western Conference, now 6 points back of Owen Sound and 5 points up on Sarnia
Kitchener travels to Erie on Tuesday night for a game that follows the annual OHL Trade Deadline. Of note, Kitchener scratched forward Jeremy Bracco for the game of Owen Sound which further fueled speculation that the Rangers will be dealing Bracco.
The Attack who are expected to make at least one transaction before the deadline, maybe as soon as Monday, will conclude a 5 game homestand Wednesday night when they host the Guelph Storm and attempt to establish a new franchise record for consecutive wins at 11 in a row.
Attack 5 Rangers 2
Kitchener 0 2 0 – 2
Owen Sound 1 2 2 – 5
1st Period-
1, Owen Sound, Centorame 2 (Hancock, Suzuki), 4:36.
Penalties-Seitz Kit (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 2:52; McNiven Os (roughing), 2:52; Hora Kit (holding), 8:58; Seitz Kit (interference), 16:10.
2nd Period-
2, Kitchener, Bunnaman 18 (Mascherin), 3:17 (PP).
3, Owen Sound, Phillips 5 (Roberts, Brack), 4:10.
4, Kitchener, Garreffa 12 5:23.
5, Owen Sound, Hancock 17 (Palmu, Suzuki), 14:45 (PP).
Penalties-Centorame Os (holding), 2:38; Gadjovich Os (blindsiding), 7:36; Roberts Kit (cross checking), 9:00; Henderson Kit (boarding), 13:30; Meireles Kit (check from behind), 14:45; Schmalz Os (roughing), 17:28; Bourque Os (cross checking), 19:44.
3rd Period-
6, Owen Sound, Friend 2 (Szypula, Durzi), 4:54 (PP).
7, Owen Sound, Schmalz 11 (Centorame), 18:42 (EN).
Penalties-Di Perna Kit (hooking), 3:05; Campbell Os (slashing), 5:38.
Shots on Goal-
Kitchener 4-5-9-18.
Owen Sound 12-9-8-29.
Power Play Opportunities-
Kitchener 1 / 5;
Owen Sound 2 / 6.
Goalies-
Kitchener, Opilka 6-6-1-0 (28 shots-24 saves).
Owen Sound, McNiven 21-7-1-0 (18 shots-16 saves); Vella 5-3-0-1 (0 shots-0 saves).
A-2,873
Referees-Steve Picco (24), Andrew Thompson (36).
Linesmen-Michael Johnstone (41), David Milne (63).