Game Recap at Belleville (26-Jan)

67s lose to the Bulls, 2-1. See OHL game summary here. And the Bulls have a game summary up here.

IN THE NEWS
From Paul Svoboda in the Belleville Intelligencer, Total team effort key for Bulls. I think that the 67s need to adopt this policy:

Overage netminder Eric Tobia, who turned aside 27 shots for the victory, said a full, 60-minute effort by all of his 18 teammates in the lineup made his job easier.

“That was the one thing we said before the game, was that if everybody played a good game, we’re tough to beat,” said Tobia. “And, everybody did.”

Cuz here’s what the 67s did:

“Spezza gave us a great game and a chance to win,” said Kilrea. “Unfortunately, not enough other fellows fed off his enthusiasm.”

From the Ottawa Sun, Spezza shines in debut, can't save loss to Bulls. Props to Spezza:

"(Spezza) was outstanding," said Kilrea, who added he'll go back to Guadagnolo for tomorrow night's rematch vs. the Bulls at the Civic Centre but will give Spezza the start on Saturday in Kitchener vs. the Rangers. "He made some good saves from in close.[”]

PRE-GAME NOTES
The game was broadcast on radio (TEAM 1200/Dave Schreiber and AJ Jakubec).

Pre-game interview with Killer. On the past game/meltdown with London: It was no meltdown, we just didn’t play well. We showed everyone our mistakes. We lost battles one-on-one, leaving our man. It was a bad period of hockey. On tonight’s game: Well, we need to go out and play a little bit better than last Sunday, and Friday for that matter. If they get going I think we’ll be fine. Confidence is a big thing; some have it and some don’t and we need to get everyone playing with confidence. Akeson’s injury: He twisted his ankle the other day, and when he tried to skate on it he couldn’t. We’re not sure that he’ll be ready for this w/e. But, it’s not going to be a lingering injury though. Lawrance on forward line: He’s good defensively, and working well on that line. It’s not Robbie on that line, it’s Mancari and Bonello that need to pick it up.

LINE UPS
Forwards: Bickell, Petruzalek, Kaspar; Lawrance, Bonello, Mancari; VanderVeeken, Talbot, Hulit (started); Alphonso, McGinn.
Defensive pairings: Colbert, Staubitz; Van Herpt, Reid; Joslin, Jarram.
Staring in goal: Guadagnolo. Spezza on the bench.
Out: Beard (inj-shoulder), Ouellette (inj-mono), Battochio (inj-shoulder), Lahey (inj-concussion), and Akeson (inj-ankle).

AUDITORY IMPRESSIONS
First Period. Schreibs: “Guadagnolo had to be sharp . . .” 17 seconds in. Yikes. Here we go again. It sounds like the 67s are having some trouble getting the puck out of their end. Thornton (BEL) laid a good hit on Joslin. They get it into the offensive zone! Kaspar and Petruzalek get the puck out on a rush to the Bulls net. Reid turns it over and Berard (BEL) scores. “Just left it there; A brain cramp,” says Schreibs. “Elgin Reid leaving the puck in behind his own goal,” says AJ. Bickell hits Maksym, who falls awkwardly into the boards and gets up favouring his shoulder. Rancourt, left all alone, scores. “The 67s were caught running around in their own zone,” says AJ.
It appears that they are giving the Bulls time and space . . . C’mon guys. And in comes Spezza. Guadagnolo is pulled after letting in 2 on 9 SOG. Schreibs says, “Jarram with a good defensive play on Maksym . . .” “VanderVeeken fails to get it out . . .” “67s having all kinds of problems here early on.” “A great left pad save by Spezza, off Rorabeck who fired at point blank range.” The Bulls are out-shooting 13-5 at this point. AJ says: “The Bulls have taken over the momentum . . .” Schreibs says: “Kaspar centres it and Bickell fans!” “Some scary defensive play by Ottawa, but Spezza bails them out.” Talbot scores! “A beautiful wrist shot . . .” says Schreibs. A huge goal for Ottawa “who have been badly out-played,” says AJ. “Not a very good first period at all,” says AJ. SOG at the end of the period: 20-9 for Belleville. Score 2-1 for Belleville. It sounds like Spezza is definitely holding his own in his initiation 67s-style (which means a crap load of SOG). Good for him.

Second Period. Hey! This sounds like the first period: “Elgin Reid turns it over again . . . right to the stick of Rancourt . . . Spezza made an unbelievable stop . . .” “Spezza makes another great save,” says Schreibs. “Ottawa just not playing very smart here,” says Schreibs after Bonello gives puck away. The first PP of the game to Belleville. A penalty to Ottawa – Van Herpt – for tripping Berard. The 67s get through it. “Nice pass by Robbie Lawrance to feed Bonello . . .” says AJ. Lawrance is so impressing me lately. “Petruzalek turns it over and Spezza robs him!” yells Schreibs. Wow Spezza . . . He’s definitely showing his stuff. Bonello gets called for a penalty – they guys are saying that he missed his check, but Hobor heard the sound . . . So, on to the PK. Not allowing any chances on the first PP, and now on the second . . . “Spezza continues to sparkle in the 67s’ net,” says Schreibs. AJ says, “The word on Spezza is that when he’s great he’s great, when he struggles he struggles mightily.” (Not another player with a confidence problem, please.) Schreibs: “A wicked slap shot by Bickell that was labelled . . .” “No scoring in the second period, but a much better period from an Ottawa standpoint AJ,” Schreibs says. “Yeah, it couldn’t get any worse . . .” AJ replies. Ha. Ottawa out-shot the Bulls 9-8 in the second.

Third Period. Sounds like the 67s are getting some SOG at the beginning of this period. Also, line changes have been made: Lawrance moved up with Petruzalek and Kaspar; McGinn moved with Bonello and Mancari; Bickell moved with Talbot and Hulit; VanderVeeken benched; Colbert and Reid paired. “Spezza made a save off Cameron,” says Schreibs. A penalty – a high stick on McGinn – by Spade (BEL). “McGinn bouncing between lines; Getting more ice time than anyone,” says AJ. Spezza makes another huge save. “Spezza has been absolutely outstanding,” says AJ. The Bulls hold on for the win, 2-1.

IMPRESSIONS OF THE 67s
Sounds like Spezza had a hell of a game. Stopped all goals once he came in (28 SOG), and named a star of the game. Also, McGinn, and the usual suspect Talbot.

IMPRESSIONS OF THE BULLS
Hughes, Rancourt seemed to have a good night.

SCORING
OTTAWA
1, Talbot, (19) (McGinn), 17:35

LONDON
1, Berard, (7) (Beleskey), 02:10
1, Rancourt, (20) (Hughes), 06:54

THREE STARS
OHL three stars were: 1. Rancourt (BEL), 2. Tobia (BEL), and 3. Spezza.

TEAM 1200 three stars were: 1. Spezza, 2. Rancourt (BEL), and 3. Hughes (BEL).

NEXT UP
Home game this Friday when Belleville visits Ottawa, then it’s on the road time. Saturday the 67s visit Kitchener, then it’s on to Brampton for Sunday. This will be the first meeting for both Kitchener and Brampton this season.