Lenny Greenberg of the Owen Sound Attack. Photo by Natalie Shaver/OHL Images
It rang off the crossbar – they were that close to tying it.
Pierce Mbuyi had a near-miss in the dying seconds of the third period, as the Owen Sound Attack came close again but ultimately fell 5-4 to the Ottawa 67’s in Ontario Hockey League action Sunday afternoon at TD Place Arena.
They were close in Friday in Kingston. Tristan Delisle had a would-be game tying goal ring off the iron, before the Frontenacs added one to win 5-3.
They were close Thursday in Peterborough, taking a pesky Petes team to overtime and getting their chances to finish it – including a breakaway opportunity for Harry Nansi. But they couldn’t find the game-winning goal.
They were close, but didn’t get the result – a pretty common theme in all three losses for the Attack on their three-game eastern swing as they managed just one of a possible six points through Peterborough, Kingston and Ottawa.
“Brick by brick I guess you could say, or one step at a time. And we’ll find a way to get those games to go to our side,” says Attack Head Coach Scott Wray.
Filip Ekberg ripped a one-time shot past Trenten Bennett just over three minutes into the third period to put the 67’s ahead for good, 5-4.
It was Ekberg’s second of the game. Spencer Bowes, Jasper Kuhta and Nic Sima also scored for Ottawa (36-10-1-2), which rallied from 1-0 and 4-3 deficits in a see-saw hockey game.
Cole Zurawski, Noah Roberts, Jared Langdon and Lenny Greenberg had the goals for the Attack (20-26-2-3).
The Attack jumped out to a 1-0 lead 8:03 into the first period. Zurawski took the puck up the right wing and ripped a wrist shot high past Jaeden Nelson.
But then the 67’s would answer with two quick ones past the midway mark of the period to get ahead 2-1. First it was Ekberg and 10:21, and then just 19 seconds later Bowes was credited with a goal on an odd play. He tried to tuck the puck from below the goal line behind the left skate of Bennett and around the post, it popped in the crease and Elliot Arnett tried to shoot it away from danger – but the puck deflected off Bennett, into the net. 2-1 Ottawa.
The Attack would tie it up in the final minute of the first period. Roberts went for a coast-to-coast rush, that ended with him cutting around the outside and to the net – and then he flicked one high short side past Nelson to make it 2-2.
Ryder Fetterolf took over the 67’s net in the second period.
Kuhta scored 7:05 into the second to give Ottawa the lead back, picking up a rebound in front of Bennett and putting it home to make it 3-2.
Then the Attack had a quick pair of their own. Langdon beat Fetterolf five-hole at 7:43 to tie the game, notching his first OHL goal. And 40 seconds later, Greenberg put a point shot on net that beat Fetterolf low and made it 4-3 Attack.
Sima scored at 16:23 of the second period to bring the 67’s even once again, capping off a nice shift in the offensive zone for Ottawa with a slot shot that got past Bennett glove side.
The Attack did an extra attacker out in the final minute of the third period and pressured the 67’s – and were close to tying it. Mbuyi rang a one-time shot off the crossbar.
Fetterolf made 15 saves in the win, while Bennett stopped 32 taking the loss. The 67’s outshot the Attack 37-28 while going 0 for 3 on the power play; Owen Sound finished 0 for 4.
The Attack continue a stretch of five straight road games on Wednesday, when they head to Erie to take on the Otters.
OH, YOU GUYS
The Attack saw their former captain David Bedkowski for the first time Sunday in Ottawa. He was held off the scoresheet, and finished the game with an even rating, two penalty minutes and a shot on goal.
Another former Attack player Sam McCue had an assist and was plus-2.