Everybody knows I’ve got issues. BIG ONES !! Like rampant paranoia as it pertains to the Owen Sound Attack & the Ontario Hockey League.
Driving back from Kitchener last Friday night/Saturday morning, I got thinking about how the Attack were on the road but heading home for a game against London.
Or put another way, Owen Sound was travelling 4 hours round trip to Kitchener and playing a game, before a home game the following night, which, in my twisted mind, impacts the concept of home ice advantage.
I wondered, ‘ how many times does this happen per season ? ‘
So I counted.
FOURTEEN !!!!!!!
Almost half of the Attack home games are preceded by a road game the night before……. Almost half
Then, the mania set in and I wondered, ‘ how many times do the other divisional teams play on the road the day or night before THEY have a home game ? ‘
So I counted;
Guelph 10 times.
Kitchener 8.
Erie 6.
And London…………………………..THREE !!!
So while everyone plays a balance of home games & away games, the image of home ice for the Owen Sound Attack is hindered 4 to 11 times more than their chief rivals.
Can this be rectified ?
Sure it could.
First, have Owen Sound play 1 midweek game each at Kitchener, Guelph & London eliminating one Friday night in those centres.
If the Attack can go to Erie on a Wednesday…………
Next, insist that Owen Sound play Family Day at either Guelph, Kitchener, Barrie or Mississauga and you lose another Friday road date.
I note the Attack have played on Family Day in the past at…….Peterborough and at…………….OTTAWA !!!
Finally, of the 2 trips to Sarnia, stipulate that one be a Thursday & not a Friday.
Would an altered schedule, with better protection of the Attack home game Saturdays, equate to more points per year ?
In my troubled mind it would.
I’m Fred Wallace