The Owen Sound Attack have a chance tonight to do what has never been done in the history of the Highway 26 OHL matchup with the Barrie Colts.
Owen Sound has won all 5 meetings on the season and since the Colts entered the league in 1995, neither Barrie, nor the Platers nor the Attack has managed a sweep of the season series.
( Okay….I know, Barrie has picked up a point with a shootout loss this year, so it’s not a complete sweep, but…..)
Oh, it’s been close
In 1997-98 when both clubs were in the old Central Division, Barrie won 7 out of 8
Barrie also won 5 out of 6 in the geographic crossover years that followed in 1999-2000 and again in 2007-08, Mark Reeds first year as coach of the club.
Remember Wednesday February 27th, 2008, when the Attack right winger couldn’t make the simple play and chip it out with 10 seconds to play and how Barrie kept it in, and COLTON KENNEDY scored the tying goal with seconds remaining and then Barrie won it in a shootout to prolong what would become a season-ending 17 game LOSING STREAK for the Attack ?
I do.
But I also recall the Attack won 5 out of 6 and lost the last one in overtime two years ago against Barrie and I’m certainly familiar with this season’s results against a Barrie team that will likely miss the playoffs for the first time ever.
The point is, Owen Sound should forget history, and take advantage of their final opportunity against a respectable opponent who are enduring their worst year ever.
The two points on the line tonight, season sweep or not, could be very valuable come March and beyond.
I’m Fred Wallace