Game Preview: Owen Sound Attack @ Barrie Colts. Let's try this again... #OHL

Tonight, the Barrie Colts host the Owen Sound Attack for the 6^th and final meeting of the 2016-17 regular season. Both teams will "make up" for a game that was originally scheduled on December, 15^th that was candled due to a "snow storm from hell". The Attack look to extend their current franchise record of 14 straight wins while completing the season sweep of the Ponies. A sweep would be sweet revenge for Owen Sound when you consider the Colts the same thing to the Attack last season so you can expect that Owen Sound, and the Colts former captain Cordell James have lots of motivation to get the win. 

Colts VS. Attack this season.

As mentioned earlier, Owen Sound, like the rest of the OHL have had the Colts number this season. Owen Sound has outscored Barrie 30-8. The last meeting was last Saturday at Barrie Molson Center and saw the Attack, well, attack the Ponies 6-2.

The Attack came out hard and set an early standard as far as how they were going to handle power plays. Kade Landry would take the first penalty with a boarding call and Petrus Palmu would score before the halfway point of the period to give Owen Sound the 1-0 lead.  Later, Jason Smith took a hooking minor and Maksim Sushko would get another goal for the Attack on the man advantage go put the Attack up 2-0. That is how the 1^st would end with the Colts trailing 2-0 being heavily out-shot 14-4.

Barrie came out a little stronger early in the 2^nd and their efforts would translate in goals when Roy Radke scored a nice goal to cut into the Attack lead. Markus Phillips would score shortly after to take the 3-1 lead. Ethan Szypula scored late in the 2^nd to extend the Attack lead to 4-1.

The 3^rd period saw Cordell James score against his former team. His 17^th of the season. Sushko would score later with his second PP goal of the night to go up 6-1. Girodano Finoro would score in the last minute to make it 6-2 but that is close as Barrie would get.

Barrie was out-shot 39-22 in the game. Ruan Badenhorst made 33 saves in his 3^rd loss of the season. Ruan has looked solid in most his starts having seen more ice time since the league resumed following the Christmas break.

Special teams were a killer for the Colts allowing 3 goals on 4 penalty kills. They did however manage to score a goal on 4 man advantages.

Cordell James scored a goal and got a pair of assists against his former team. He was a +2 on the night, got 4 shots on goal and went 13 for 21 in the face-off circle. NO WAY TO TREAT YOUR FORMER TEAM, CORDELL!

Ben Hawerchuck had a tough night for the Colts ending the night a -1, only getting 1 shot while taking a couple of penalties. His struggles were mostly at draws though having lost 17 of 23 face-offs.

Final thoughts.

I think Cordell James needs to throw his old team a bone and maybe not put up a turkey against them again? No? FINE. Barrie did manage to find some success with the man advantage but allowing 3 PP goals on 4 chances is really bad. Owen Sound is flying right now but Barrie must find a way to be harder to play against. If they can find a way to contain the Attack with the man advantage, or, you know, not take penalties, they could find success and not only prevent the season streak but also end the 14-game win streak Owen Sound is riding. Also, being stronger at face-offs will give them a better chance when they do find themselves down a man. 

On a sad note; Unless the Colts really turn things around and sneak into the playoffs, tonight will be the last time Barrie Colts fans will get to see Cordell James at Barrie Molson Centre.

Minus an unlikely miracle, tonight will be the last time Barrie Colts fans will get to see Cordell James at BMC. That makes my heart sad.

— Ryan Noble (@ryannoble66) January 26, 2017

As far as which goalie will start tonight, your guess is as good as ours. We may start letting our cats decide or something because this random three goalie rotation has been difficult to read.

Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30.