The Owen Sound Attack host the Barrie Colts tonight in Ontario Hockey League action at the Harry Lumley-Bayshore Community Centre.
The buzz in the air is still audible, the buzz pertaining to Saturday’s 2-1 victory over the Erie Otters, backstopped by a 50 save performance turned in by Brandon Hope.
I’m with you, from a spectators’ standpoint, that was truly exciting, and the afterglow is legitimate.
Thinking quickly, the last time I remember an Owen Sound goaltender performing to that level in an definite underdog performance was November 3rd, 2007 when Tyler Beskorowany made 48 saves at Windsor in a 4-2 Attack victory.
And there’s the rub.
The performance by Beskorowany against Taylor Hall, Ryan Ellis, Adam Henrique, Josh Bailey, Mickey Renaud and the Spitfires underlined what underdogs Owen Sound were.
As it turned out, the Attack missed the playoffs that year, simply because as good as Beskorowany was that night and that season, it wasn’t nearly enough.
There’s lots of talk in the aftermath of Saturday about the Attack and their potential to scare a team come playoff time.
I hope so, but honestly, I think you’re dreaming.
What I see is a somewhat inexperienced team that’s getting a great education in competing shift to shift and how in the short term there’s going to be some delightful results like Saturday, but in the long term, they’ll need to maintain that high level of battle and above average show of netminding if they are to advance beyond a post season berth.
I’m Fred Wallace