Ottawa 67s Fan Report: Game Recap at Peterborough (10-Feb)

The 67s lose 2-1 to the Petes. They conclude the season 0-4 against the Petes in the Petes’ rink. They have two games left, both in Ottawa. See OHL game summary here.

IN THE NEWS
From SLAM! Sports, Petes extend East lead. From the Ottawa Sun Barre Campbell writes, For Petes sake! Goaltender stops 67's cold. Campbell reports that VanderVeeken was hit in the head by a puck during the pre-game skate, which led to him sitting out the second and third periods. And apparently Akeson will be out for the rest of the season due to injuries to his ankle and wrist.

From the Peterborough Examiner Mike Davies writes, MacDougald brilliant in victory. I wondered how Killer would react to the loss. He’s mentioned before that as long as the guys put forth the effort, he couldn’t complain too much. It has been the lack of effort and desire that has upset Killer the most. According to the call of both Schreibs and AJ, it sounded like the 67s were putting forth the effort, but were not getting the lucky bounces and the Petes’ goalie (MacDougald) was rockin’. So, I have to say that I was a little – no a lot – disappointed to read this:

Ottawa coach/GM Brian Kilrea isn’t satisfied to outshoot opponents.
“I don’t think we played very well,” said Kilrea. “When you’re best players aren’t your best players, you’re not going to win.
“I’m disappointed in some of our forwards who didn’t seem to give us much.”
The 67’s, who are 1-4-1 against the Petes, are 9-15-4-1 on the road compared to 15-6-2-0 at home.
Kilrea didn’t mince words when asked about their struggles away from home.
“There are not a lot of rinks that have been kind to us because we’re not that good a team,” he said. “When you don’t have enough good players you don’t win consistently.”

I think reading this pretty much seals it for me. There is a disconnect between the coach and the majority of players – that would be the ‘best players’ – and if you keep disparaging them even when they do try, well, maybe they won’t try next time . Because it doesn’t seem to matter what they do, they’re always in the doghouse and being called on it publicly.

Also, Jeff Hunt was interviewed today (1.11.2005) on the TEAM 1200/Dave Gross and Garry Galley. He was asked about the loss in Peterborough, and he said [paraphrasing]:

I got to watch the game on TV through the Action Pack program, and I thought our guys played a heck of a game. They had lots of chances, and a couple of break-aways. It was just one of those nights where they [Peterborough] had a hot goalie. Even the goal we got was a deflection. I don’t know what Killer thinks, but if you get the effort, at least most coaches can say that, that at least they tried.

Indeed.

PRE-GAME NOTES
The game was broadcast on the TEAM 1200/Dave Schreiber and AJ Jakubec. Schreibs and AJ had a one hour pre-game show, where I gleaned the following information:

* Battochio is back in the line up tonight. He will be on the bench as back-up for Guadagnolo tonight.

* Spezza is to remain in Ottawa, as third goalie.

* Van Herpt is also back in the line up, after recovering from an ankle injury.

* The 67s will have 7 d-men tonight.

* Lawrance will move back to left wing, on the line with Bonello and Mancari.

* During the pre-game interview with Coach Todd, he said that he thinks a few of his players have the flu, but won’t admit to it; they want to play.

* Schreibs had a great interview with Zenon Konopka. It’s so good to hear that he’s found a role, and is doing so well. We always thought that any team would be lucky to get this guy (see here).

Notes from the pre-game interview with Killer: ON playing in the Pete’s rink: We really need somebody to come out with a big effort up front. If someone goes out and does something good, hopefully the others will pick up on it. We need to get off the mark with more. We’ve had trouble being stagnant. ON having Van Herpt back: He can play either side, left or right, so that makes him valuable. He rarely gives the puck away, or gets trapped up ice because he is a defensive defenceman. And now we can move Robbie back to left wing. ON Battochio back in the line up: We’re hoping that Danny will be ready tomorrow. This will get him some warm up tonight, and then we’re planning on using him tomorrow. We want him to get his timing back, because very quickly we’ll be into the play-offs. ON Guadagnolo’s good record against Peterborough: We’re happy with him. He has given us good games against Peterborough.

LINE UPS
Forwards: Bickell, Petruzalek, Kaspar; Lawrance, Bonello, Mancari; VanderVeeken, Talbot, Hulit (started); and Ouellette, McGinn.

Defence pairings: Colbert, Joslin; Reid, Staubitz; Van Herpt, Beard; and Jarram.

Starting in net: Guadagnolo. Battochio on bench for back-up. he is expected to start in Friday’s game. Spezza will remain in Ottawa, as the third.

Scratches: Akeson (inj-Achilles), Lahey (inj-concussion), Alphonso (inj-concussion, from that ‘pounding’ he took last week I’m assuming), Spezza (healthy)

OVERALL IMPRESSIONS (AUDITORY)
The following notes taken while listening to the game.

First period. The action seems to be all in the Ottawa end. First penalty to Ottawa. And they get through it unscathed. “Ottawa not off to a bad start, here, but they can’t afford to take penalties . . .” says Schreibs. At 5 minutes into the period, SOG 5-1 for the Petes (which included the PP). Peterborough (Reddox) scores first. “67s have really bounced back . . .” says AJ, after Talbot just got a good chance. Hopefully they will the pressure up. It does sound as if they are getting into the Petes’ zone. Ottawa goes on the PP . . . nothing happening. Now, the 67s get called for a penalty. VanderVeeken scores, a redirection off a wrist shot by Reid. “. . . a pretty good first period for the Ottawa 67s, as they come back from an early deficit . . .” says Schreibs. “Had some bad shots, but kept on coming. Have to come out a lot stronger . . .” says AJ.

Second period. McGinn taking regular shifts with Bonello and Mancari. VanderVeeken not on the ice. Another penalty to Ottawa – Petruzalek – for interference. And a penalty to Peterborough. Another penalty to Ottawa – Staubitz – now 4 on 4. Reid gets another good chance! Then Petruzalek gets a chance. MacDougald stops both. Kaleta scores, “ . . . a beautiful tic tac toe, three way passing play by the Petes,” Says Schreibs. “This line doing all the damage to the 67s,” says AJ. “VanderVeeken hasn’t been on the ice for some time,” says AJ. AJ and Schreibs did not see any obvious injuries during the first period, but VanderVeeken hasn’t been on the ice so far this period. “Staubitz is goaded into a penalty by Kaleta,” says Schreibs. Oh boy. Another penalty!!! This one to Peterborough. What is with all the penalties? It’s constant, one after another after another. Schreibs says that “. . . maybe all the missed chances the 67s have had will come back to bite them.”

Third period. Staubitz turned it over again! This is the third time that Schreibs has called Staubitz turning the puck over. And of course the period starts with . . . penalties! VanderVeeken still missing from the Ottawa bench. A scuffle ensues . . . Staubitz and Hendrikx go at it . . . Bonello gets a 10 minute misconduct. Petruzalek gets a break away . . . but MacDougald stops it. Ottawa - 0/9 on the PP. 1:42 left in the game, and the 67s down 2-1. Doesn’t sound like they are going to be able to do it. Too bad. MacDougald’s got his thing going tonight. “MacDougald’s had the 67s’ number all night,” says Schreibs. Guadagnolo comes out of the net. And that’s it. The Petes win 2-1. Schreibs says that the Petes’ “steal” one. That they were out-shot and out-played, but due to the great work of MacDougald, they come away with the win. It seems like the game had an excessive number of penalties – but then, you know - not seeing it, it’s hard to say myself. It just sounded like every time someone came out of the box, someone else was going in. One of the positives the 67s can come away with, is not allowing any PP goals. On the other side of that, though – they didn’t score any PP goals themselves. Both teams were 0/9 on PPs.

SCORING
OTTAWA
VanderVeeken, (7) (Reid, Staubitz), 18:54

PETERBOROUGH
1, Reddox, (25) (Hendrikx, Morrison), 07:04
2, Kaleta, (21) (Ryder, Beljo), 07:54

THREE STARS
OHL three stars were: (1) MacDougald – PET, (2) Kaleta – PET, and (3) Guadagnolo.

TEAM 1200 three stars were: (1) MacDougald – PET (some absolutely dazzling saves to keep the Petes in the game; the biggest difference in the game; 38 saves on the night; faced a few clear cut break-aways; outstanding), (2) Bickell (worked hard; physical; always seems to play well in this building, with lots of friends and family watching; used his size to his advantage; showed some great skill at times; a great effort tonight), and (3) Kaleta - PET (scored eventual game winner; so physical; always throwing his weight around; getting better offensively; he comes to play every night; definitely going to be a pro prospect).

REFFING
O’Neill – sure likes to call ’em.

ATTENDANCE
3305. They were calling for a sell-out prior to the game, but I don't think this is close.

NEXT UP
Tonight night (1.11.2005) at home vs Mississauga. Mississauga’s record: