Owen Sound Dominates Spitfires In Game One

Written by Jesse Michael for The Canadian Press

OWEN SOUND, Ont. – Once the Owen Sound Attack got over their initial nerves, they went on to make a huge statement in the opening game of the Ontario Hockey League Western Conference final.

Andrew Shaw and Joey Hishon each scored twice Tuesday as the top-ranked Attack hammered the two-time defending champion Windsor Spitfires 8-1.

After what started as a tight-checking game, Owen Sound picked up their play halfway through the period with a relentless attack against the Spitfires defence and goaltender Jack Campbell.

They were rewarded at the 14:17 mark of the period, as Jarrod Maidens broke the goalless deadlock with his second of the post-season, giving Owen Sound the 1-0 lead.

“There are nerves on both sides, and a feeling out process that happens, there’s no doubt,” Owen Sound coach Mark Reeds said. “We had the benefit of having the chance to see them play a couple of games, and finish a pretty emotional series on Sunday.”

Windsor went to the power play with 1:55 left in the period, looking to equalize before the end of the first. Instead, the Attack increased their lead with a short-handed goal.

Garrett Wilson and Hishon broke down the ice on a 2-on-2 rush, criss-crossing at the blue line with Wilson carrying the puck. He dropped to Hishon, whose shot went off Campbell’s outstretched glove and trickled into the net.

It was Hishon’s second of the post-season and gave the Attack a 2-0 lead with just under 19 seconds left in the first.

Windsor replied 6:39 mark of the second period, as suddenly offensive defenceman Adrian Robertson snapped a shot low blocker side on Attack goalie Scott Stajcer. It was Robertson’s third of the playoffs, cutting the lead to 2-1.

Owen Sound answered 22 seconds later, as Shaw scored his fourth of the post-season after taking a great saucer pass from Cameron Brace.

“They jumped on use from the get-go, and obviously we didn’t respond there,” Spitfires defenceman Ryan Ellis said. “I guess you can call it a turning point. They obviously jumped back on us.”

Campbell, who has been maligned in Windsor for his sporadic play all season, and the entire Spitfires squad looked as though they decided to shut things down after the third goal.

Hishon, Wilson, Brendan Childerley, and Shaw scored before the period was out, giving Owen Sound a 7-1 lead.

Roman Berdnikov got his fifth of the playoffs, and Owen Sound’s third on the power play, at 10:36 of the third period to close out the scoring.

“When the first unit’s scoring, the second unit still wants time out there so they’re pushing for their ice,” Shaw said. “We’re battling back and forth between both units because whoever is finishing is going to play more.”

Stajcer was solid in goal, stopping 38 of 39 shots he faced, while Campbell struggled, getting shelled for eight goals on 33 shots.

Game 2 goes Thursday in Windsor.

“I think we’ll bring it next game and give it everything we have,” Ellis said. “We know what it takes to win. We have to work hard, and bring our A-game.”