Caden Taylor scored on the power play with 32 seconds to go in overtime, as the Owen Sound Attack survived a furious rally from the Kitchener Rangers to win 8-7 in Ontario Hockey League action Saturday night at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre.
The Attack (27-32-4-5) locked up sixth in the OHL’s Western Conference with the win, as the Guelph Storm lost 4-3 to the Erie Otters.
In that sense, it was mission accomplished. But the circumstances of how this game unfolded left a bit of an odd taste for a victory.
Cole Zurawski scored 1:55 into the third period to extend the Attack lead to 6-1. If it wasn’t already, surely the game was over with that goal. Owen Sound was playing a Rangers team that rested 10 of its regulars.
But Kitchener didn’t quit. The Rangers stormed back with five unanswered goals, and had tied the game 6-6 at 14:10.
Cameron Arquette scored twice, and Max Dirracolo once as the Rangers found three in a span of 2:07 before the midway mark of the third to cut the Attack lead to 6-4.
Owen Sound called a timeout to settle things.
But the Rangers found another couple quick ones to tie it. First Andrew Vermeulen at 13:48 and then Gabe Chiarot 22 seconds later, Kitchener’s fifth unanswered goal in a wild third period made it 6-6. A completely stunning turn of events.
Nick Sykora would put the Attack back in front with 3:06 to go, notching his 24th of the season to make it 7-6.
Kitchener tied it again. This time with the net empty, 6-on-5. An Alex Bilecki point shot was deflected by Avry Anstis with 2:12 remaining to make it 7-7.
It went to overtime. Owen Sound took a bench minor for too many men to send Kitchener to a 4-on-3 power play. Chiarot had a stellar chance in the slot, Koprowski lunged forward to make a save.
Then Owen Sound got a power play with 1:04 left in overtime on a tripping call to Dirracolo. Taylor’s second of the game was the winner. The Attack survived.
Noah Nelson, Wesley Royston, Pierce Mbuyi and Tristan Delisle also scored for the Attack, which will face either Windsor Spitfires or Flint Firebirds in Round 1 of the OHL Playoffs.
That will be decided Sunday. The Spitfires have one game remaining and can lock up the West Division with a single point.
Koprowski made 32 saves in the win, while Jason Schaubel stopped 32 taking the loss. Owen Sound outshot Kitchener 40-39 while going 2 for 2 on the power play; Kitchener finished 1 for 6.