Humble Hounds tumble home
This one has to hurt. With a commanding two games to none lead, Soo Greyhounds could not fend off the charging Owen Sound Attack.
There is a reason they are called best-of-seven series. It takes four games to win a playoff series. The Greyhounds got halfway there but no further.
Overcoming a two-game deficit in which the puck just did not bounce its way in the opening matches of the second round, Ontario Hockey League Western Conference series, Owen Sound showed recovery and resolve in reeling off four straight wins to stun the Soo.
Series over for the Soo. Season over for the Soo.
Instead of pointing fingers at any one from the Soo, perhaps credit should be given to Owen Sound instead. Coming back from a two-game deficit is never easy — especially against a good team.
And this is a good Greyhound team that lost. A good Soo team just not quite as good as Owen Sound.
As the junior hockey cycle spins, it will be a much-different Soo squad when the first pucks drop on the 2017-2018 OHL season.
Overage scoring leader Bobby MacIntyre will move on. Unless they return as overagers — which is improbable — high-scoring forwards Zachary Senyshyn and Blake Speers will move on to within the systems of the National Hockey League teams that drafted them.
It’s possible that head coach Drew Bannister could also move on after two seasons behind the Soo bench. Bannister is well-regarded as a coach and it will not be a surprise if an offer or two comes his way from the pro ranks.
There is an air of disappointment when any season ends in defeat. Especially when a series such as the one with Owen Sound was under initial control by the Soo.
But as the bounces went one way early in the series, they went another way as the games progressed.
Owen Sound won fair. Owen Sound won square. Owen Sound moves on.
Well written, Randy.
Owen Sound was the better team, and without Raaymakers superb play, this series
could have been over in 4 games…….the first 2 games were much closer than the final 4-1 scores would indicate.
I don’t remember any team all season who forechecked the Hounds into the ice like
Owen Sound did in the last 4 games………they looked like they had 7 forwards out there on almost every shift. Very impressive !!!!
I’m now hoping that the Attack will win the Memorial Cup this year.