Another week, and another all Eastern Conference weekend for the Owen Sound Attack in the Ontario Hockey League.
Last week, Owen Sound went 2 & 1 against Eastern Conference teams, losing their opener at Barrie to a pretty accomplished Colts team and then following with a 4-2 win at Sudbury over the disjointed Wolves, and then a 5-4 win at home over Belleville in a battle of two teams who had seen most of Ontario and the upper States in the 2 days prior.
Owen Sound gets Belleville again this week, only this time at Belleville, sandwiched between stops at Ottawa and at Kingston.
Similar to last week, the handicapping chart relates the Attack will get the toughest test first when a 67’s club on the upswing will host Owen Sound this evening.
Ottawa’s, start, like Owen Sound’s, wasn’t magnificent, but based on their 4-0 win at Brampton Sunday, the 67’s have found some magic in 3 lines up front and there’s very few liabilities among the 6 regulars who man the blueline.
In the East, a good head of steam has allowed Ottawa to jump to fourth in the Conference and quickly challenge Peterborough for the East Division lead.
No such luck for Owen Sound who have won 4 of their last 5 games, beating the teams you expect them to beat.
Regardless of that successful stretch, Owen Sound finds themselves approaching the midway point of the season where their remaining games against Eastern opponents, including this weekend, plus their 6 matches remaining with Guelph will quite likely determine their playoff location.
I’m Fred Wallace