Hi, this is Fred Wallace with ” Off the Wire “.
There are 12 games left in the Ontario Hockey League season for the Owen Sound Attack and curiously, only 3 are against divisional rivals from the Midwest.
So it’s fair to say Owen Sound’s fate will be tied primarily to their results against the West Division clubs against whom they have 6 games down the stretch against.
However, that’s not to say that tonight’s divisional game at Guelph against Storm lacks clout.
This is the 7th of 8 meetings between the two clubs, a series in which Guelph holds a 4-2 advantage.
Of note, the Storm won the first 4 matches against Owen Sound before the Attack responded by winning the last two head-to-head encounters.
Is it coincidence that Owen Sound has beaten Guelph twice after the trade deadline ?
It’s probably not the only reason, but I think it’s a factor.
On January 5th, Guelph beat Owen Sound 4-1 to establish a 7 point bulge over Owen Sound in the standings.
My long held belief is that an OHL team can’t bridge a 7 point margin after Christmas, but this is a very different season in the Midwest, and Owen Sound has enjoyed a remarkable 12 point swing and currently leads Guelph by 5 points .
Heading to tonight’s game at the Sleeman Centre Owen Sound has won 4 straight & 10 of 11. Guelph has lost 4 straight including curious back to back defeats at the hands of the Erie Otters.
Owen Sound’s fate in the Western Conference may in fact be determined by their games against the West Division ahead, but tonight’s game at Guelph is the most significant one at hand and somewhat of a must-win in Owen Sound’s pursuit of home ice for the opening round of the playoffs.
I’m Fred Wallace