Our Attack were guests of the Windsor Spitfires Saturday night.  The two OHL Western Conference members are fighting for playoff position. 

Our Attack went with a 27-21-3-4 record for 61 points and 5th position.  The Spits, 25-27-3-2 for 55 points and 7th spot.  The two play each other four times during the regular season.  This was the final.  Our Attack won the first two and lost a 6-5 game in Owen Sound February 3rd  by shootout.

Scott Stajcer got the start in the Attack net.  Jaroslav Pavelka for the Spitfires.

Our Attack jumped out to an early 2-0 lead.  Daniel Catenacci picked up his 29th goal of the season after snapping his own rebound at 3:08 of the first period.  His linemates, Cameron Brace and Mike Halmo assisted.

30 seconds later, rookie Joseph Blandisi picked off a clearing pass by Windsor defenceman Adam Bateman and from the slot area, spun and fired his 17th at 3:38.

Windsor overager Zack MacQueen blasted his 15th of the season at 13:02.  A nice shot by the right handed shooting MacQueen from the left side of Stajcer.  The Spits would then bring a physical game.  Three fights broke out before the period ended with the period closing with an Alexander Khokhlachev goaltender interference penalty.  2-1 Attack.  Shots 13-11 Attack.

At 6:36 of the second period, our Attack found themselves short two with  Chris Bigras and Mike Halmo off with minor penalties.  As Chris’s penalty expired, Chris raced out of the penalty box to find the puck and was able to feed a speeding Cameron Brace.  Cameron backhanded his 24th high.  His shorthanded goal came at 7:25.

Windsor leftwinger Chris Marchese made it a 3-2 game at 8:23.  Chris’s 16th of the season and 3rd versus our Attack this season.

What a game Attack underage defenceman Chris Bigras had.  Chris wired his 2nd goal of the season, roofing it high for an Attack PP goal at 11:35.  Kyle Hope and Artur Gavrus assisted.

Working a PP, Windsor import forward Alexander Khokhlachev raced around the Owen Sound endzone for what seemed like 45 seconds before feeding Brody Vail and then sneaking in from the side and firing his 21st goal of the season.  The Windsor PP goal came at 16:11.  4-3 after two periods of play.  The Spitfires led shots on goal 26-24.

The Windsor PP goal by Khokhlachev to make it 4-3?  How about another just 34 seconds into the third.  A laser that beat Scott Stajcer for his 22nd of the season and 2nd of the night.

CHL Player of the Week Cameron Brace will be a targeted man.  A goal and an assist in this one only adds to the attention he will get.  After the Spitfires were once behind 2-0 and battled back to tie the game 4-4, it was an elbowing penalty from behind on Cameron by Nick Ebert at 18:55 of the third that would be the determining factor this game.  A Jay Gilbert blast with Kyle Hope setting him up wins it just 56 seconds into OT and our Attack move 8 points ahead of the Spitfires in the OHL Western Conference standings.

Final score Owen Sound 5 – Windsor 4 OT.  The shots on net were 34-34.  The Spits were 3 for 7 on the PP.  The Attack 1 for 4.  Six straight wins for our Attack and 13 points over their last seven games.

The 3 Stars of the Game were:
1st Star –  Alexander Khokhlachev
2nd Star – Cameron Brace
3rd Star – Chris Marchese

Sunday, our Attack travel back to the U.S. as guests of the Saginaw Spirit completing their 3 games in 2.5 days road trip.  Part of Hockey Day In the USA.  A  4:00 p.m. start that can also be heard on Grey Motors BearRadio AM560.

Next home game for our Attack is Wednesday, February 22nd when the Sarnia Sting will be our guests.  Game time at the J.D. McAthur Arena is 7:00 p.m.

Don’t miss it!

The Attack box office is open Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.   Saturday and Sunday game days 10:00 a.m. through to the end of the second intermission.  Wednesday games 8:30 a.m.  through to the end of the second intermission.

Phone orders at 371-7452 or toll free 1-866-5ATTACK.

Internet orders at www.attackhockey.com