The Owen Sound Attack had to settle for a split in their weekend back-to-back against the Erie Otters.
Brett Bressette broke a 1-1 deadlock at 8:47 of the third period and Liam Gilmartin added an insurance goal 53 seconds later, as the Otters clipped the Attack 3-1 in Ontario Hockey League action Saturday night at Erie Insurance Arena.
Spencer Sova also added a goal for Erie. Cal Uens had the lone goal for the Attack, his first of the season.
The loss ended Owen Sound’s (6-4-0-0) four-game winning streak. Erie (4-4-0-2) also handed the Attack their first loss against a divisional opponent this season. The Attack are now 5-1-0-0 against the Midwest.
After a scoreless first period, Uens scored the game’s first goal at 5:33 of the second period during 4-on-4 action. Thomas Chafe won a clean face-off in the offensive zone back to Uens at the blueline, and he skated a few steps forward and then fired a wrist-shot past Otters netminder Marshall Nicholls.
The Otters tied it with five minutes to go in the second. Sova streaked down the left-wing into the offensive zone and fired a shot past the blocker of Attack netminder Corbin Votary to make it 1-1.
Bressette’s go-ahead marker came prior to the midway mark of the third. Colby Saganiuk fired a low shot off the right wing and Votary made a pad save, but the rebound kicked out to a wide-open Bressette in the high slot. He took his time and placed a shot over Votary’s blocker, under the crossbar.
Fifty-three seconds later Erie got another. After back-to-back icing calls against the Attack, Bressette earned a clean face-off win back to Christian Kyrou at the blueline. The Otters defender one-timed a slapshot on goal and Gilmartin tipped it past Votary to make it 3-1.
Attack head coach Greg Walters lifted Votary for the extra attacker with nearly four minutes to play as his team needed two goals to tie the game. Owen Sound applied pressure and possessed the puck in the offensive zone, but a too many men on the ice call against the Attack with 1:41 to play ended the threat.
Nicholls made 24 saves in the win, while Votary stopped 30 taking the loss. The Otters outshot Owen Sound 33-25 while going 0 for 6 on the power play; The Attack finished 0 for 5.
Next game for the Attack is a trip to Barrie on Thursday, Oct. 27, before they return home for back-to-back games Saturday and Sunday – Oct. 29-30 – against the Guelph Storm and Kingston Frontenacs.
BUMPS AND BRUISES
The Attack recalled goaltender Carter George from Junior B St. Mary’s to serve as the backup goaltender Saturday night. Nick Chenard was unavailable. He played the entire game Friday but received attention for a lower body injury. Attack head coach Greg Walters said prior to Saturday’s game Chenard is “fine” but didn’t confirm his availability for the game at Barrie.
Kaleb Lawrence is expected to return Thursday against the Colts.