Brayden Gillespie of the Guelph Storm. Photo by Natalie Shaver/OHL Images
The Attack had their chance, but couldn’t close this one out in overtime.
Brayden Gillespie made six saves in the extra frame and shut down a 4-on-3 power play for the Owen Sound Attack with the game on the line, and then was perfect in the shootout as the Guelph Storm pulled off a 3-2 win in Ontario Hockey League action Friday night at the Sleeman Centre.
Jett Luchanko scored the lone shootout goal for Guelph (27-24-5-1), which ended a four-game losing streak.
Braeden Bowman and Charlie Paquette scored for the Storm in regulation. Declan Waddick and Servac Petrovsky had the goals for the Attack (26-24-5-3), which extended a point streak to three-games but also dropped their fifth in the past six.
This game got wild late. Paquette scored with 1:11 remaining in the third to give the Storm a 2-1 lead in what looked to be a game-clinching goal.
But the Attack answered 18 seconds later. Sam Sedley sprung Petrovsky with a pass up the middle and he used a burst of speed to break in, chipping a perfect shot over the left shoulder of Gillespie to tie the game 2-2.
Owen Sound had its chance in overtime to end it when Guelph was given a bench minor for too many men on the ice. It came with 2:20 to go in overtime, giving the Attack and their league-best power play a chance to work 4-on-3 for the game-winner.
They moved the puck around the perimeter, and tried a couple of one-time shots. Colby Barlow was denied by Gillespie. Deni Goure also teed one up, but couldn’t beat the Guelph goaltender.
The Attack outshot Guelph 6-1 in overtime, but couldn’t capitalize on that power play chance.
Gillespie continued to shut it down during the shootout, denying Goure, Barlow and Petrovsky. Luchanko was the only shooter to get one past George, and it was enough.
The Attack led 1-0 after the first period. Waddick was the recipient of a fortunate bounce near the net and quickly fired the puck into an open goal at 12:06 on the power play. That ended a stretch of eight straight games Owen Sound had conceded the first goal against.
Guelph tied it in the second period. Bowman was left unmarked in the slot and Luchanko got the puck to him. The Storm captain then shot low past George to make it 1-1 at 11:11 of the second.
Gillespie made 34 saves in the win, while George stopped 32 taking the loss. The Attack outshot the Storm 36-34 while going 1 for 2 on the power play; Guelph finished 0 for 1.
Owen Sound continues a three-in-three weekend with a home game against the West Division-leading Saginaw Spirit (42-15-0-1) Saturday night at the Bayshore. Game time is 7 p.m. Sunday evening, the Attack host the Peterborough Petes.
TOUGH TIMES ON THE ROAD
Things have shifted for the Attack on the road the last month-and-a-half. They haven’t won. Friday’s loss in Guelph was Owen Sound’s sixth straight setback on the road. The last time they picked up a road win was Jan. 21 in Ottawa.
STEENER BACK
Madden Steen made his return to the Attack lineup Friday night after missing the past six games due to injury.