It had been awhile since the Attack won a road game, but you wouldn’t have guessed that in Sarnia Friday night.
Masen Wray scored twice in his second straight game, and Landen Hookey had a goal and an assist in his first time out as captain, as the Owen Sound Attack downed the Sarnia Sting 5-3 at Progressive Auto Sales Arena.
Rafik Varosyan and Ben Cormier also scored for Owen Sound (12-22-2-3), which ended a seven-game losing streak on the road dating back to Nov. 27.
Ryan Brown, Alessandro Di Iorio and Jack O’Brien scored for Sarnia (14-20-2-5).
The Attack took control with three goals in the second period. Hookey was left wide open in front of the net just over four minutes into it, and Tristan Delisle found the new Attack captain with a pass. Hookey had lots of time and put a shot by Nick Surzycia glove side to tie the game 2-2.
Just over five minutes later it was Wray scoring his second of the game, and he spun and put a low shot on goal from the top of the circle that found its way by Surzycia. 3-2 Attack.
And then it was Varosyan at 17:46 – he converted a breakaway, dekeing to his backhand in tight and putting it past the pad of Surzycia to make it 4-2.
It looked to be 5-2 Attack early in the third. Pierce Mbuyi drove the net during the power play and had a shot stop, and the rebound kicked up, into him and then into the net as he crashed into the crease.
Sting head coach Al Letang ended up challenging for goaltender interference. After a lengthy review, no goal. The Attack lead remained 4-2.
Then just past the midway mark of the third the Sting cut the lead to one as Brown scored.
Cormier would score an empty goal for the Attack with 1:05 remaining, on a nice play. He stripped the puck from Lukas Fischer along the board in the defensive zone, then spun and flung it down the ice, right into the net.
Sarnia lead 2-1 after the first, on goals from Di Iorio and O’Brien. While Wray had his first of the night for the Attack.
Matthew Koprowski made 27 saves in the win, while Surzycia stopped 16 taking the loss. The Sting outshot the Attack 30-20 while going 0 for 2 on the power play; Owen Sound was 0 for 2 as well.
Saturday, the Attack are set to play at home against the Western Conference leading London Knights (30-6-1), who are on an eight-game point streak. Game time is 7 p.m., at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre.
The Attack will be trying for their third straight win – something they have yet to do this season.
CAPTAIN HOOKS
Friday’s game in Sarnia was the first for Landen Hookey wearing the ‘C’ for the Attack. He was named the 28th captain in Owen Sound franchise history, and responded with a two point performance in front of dozens of friends and family members in his hometown in Sarnia.
FORMER BEARS DEBUT
The two players the Attack traded earlier this week made their debuts with their new clubs Friday. Defenceman Konnor Smith finished with a plus-one rating at the Brampton Steelheads downed the Kitchener Rangers 4-1. And Sam McCue had a goal and an assist in his first game with Flint, a 6-4 loss for the Firebirds to the Guelph Storm.
The Attack won’t have to wait long to play against their old mates. Next Friday, Jan. 17, Owen Sound plays on the road against Smith and the Steelheads. And the following day, McCue makes his return to the Bayshore as the Attack host the Firebirds.
NO BEDS-ZEE
The Attack were without defenceman David Bedkowski in Friday’s win in Sarnia. He was handed down a one-game suspension for a check to the head called in Wednesday’s win over Barrie. The big No. 25 will be back patrolling the Attack blueline Saturday against London.
BUMPS AND BRUISES
Attack forward Antonio Tersigni missed his second straight game. The team’s head coach Scott Wray updated his status, saying he is dealing with an upper-body injury and is considered day-to-day for the moment.