The Owen Sound Canadian
Tire Jr. Attack Tykes not only snapped a four-game losing skid on Saturday afternoon in Grand Valley but put
an end to a long overdue goal drought in thrilling fashion.
Trailing 4-1 at the midway point of the third period, the Tykes scored four unanswered goals within a span of three minutes, six seconds to skate away with a 5-4 come from behind road win over the Novice Twisters.
Finding the back of the net for the Jr. Attack, who have now beaten Grand Valley in both meetings this season, were Bennett Carr, Brian Corbett, Nolan Edmonstone, Jaren Pirie and Cohen Taylor, with assists provided by Pirie, Ethen Williams, Lucas McManaman and Percey Roney. Netminders Alyssa Barnard and Ryan Cooke shared the win.
“The kids finally got rewarded for their hard work and never quit attitude with a late push in the final six minutes,” said Jr. Attack head coach Rick Corbett. “I hope that they realize now that the game is never over until the final buzzer.”
The Tykes, who improved to 5-10 in Georgian Bay Minor Hockey League Novice action, had gone four games without lighting the lamp. That lack of goal production, however, came to an end thanks to winger Carr, who, with his Owen Sound side trailing 2-0, notched an unassisted breakaway marker with just over 40 seconds remaining in the second frame.
Grand Valley would extend its lead to 4-1 early in the third period before Corbett began what will now be forever remembered as the Scenic City comeback. The big winger found some open ice down the left side and fired a perfectly placed snap shot past the Twisters goaltender with 5:46 to play. Williams and Pirie chipped in with the assists.
Less than a minute later, Edmonstone pulled Owen Sound within one when he burst in alone and made no mistake with a nifty right to left deke.
Then it was Pirie, from defenceman McManaman, knotting the contest at 4-4 when he beat a Grand Valley defender in a race for a loose puck and fired a wrist shot home with 4:15 to play.
Defenceman Taylor then capped Owen Sound’s phenomenal comeback when he cleverly pinched in from the blue line and ripped a blast with only 2:40 remaining in the contest.
The Tykes will seek consecutive wins for the first time this season when they host the unbeaten Essa Novice Eagles (10-0-1) on Friday, Dec. 20. Puck drop at the Bayshore Community Centre is slated for 7 p.m.