Game Recap vs Barrie (4-Mar)

67s win 6-3 over the Colts.
See OHL game summary here.

IN THE NEWS
From the Ottawa Sun Barre Campbell writes, Playoffs are now for 67's: Kilrea. From SLAM! Sports, 67's top Colts. Good quote:

"Thank goodness he's [Mancari] back," said 67's coach and general manager Brian Kilrea. "He had a good game tonight."

From the Barrie Examiner Gene Pereira writes, Colts’ number up in Ottawa. Some quotes:

“Even in the first, I thought we were on our heals,” [Coach] Williamson said. “We just weren’t on our game. We ended up getting 43 shots, but we just didn’t battle well.

“Mancari and (Bryan) Bickell (two assists) seemed to own us out there.”

And from the Ottawa Sun Barre Campbell writes, McGinn on hero's path. A nice article on McGinn, who has been playing exceptionally well.

PRE-GAME NOTES
The game was broadcast on radio (TEAM 1200/Dave Schreiber and AJ Jakubec) and television (Rogers Television 22/Scott MacArthur, Ed Hand, and Lee Versage). Some notes from the radio pre-game:

* Mancari will be back from his 4 game suspension.

* McGinn will remain up on the line with Talbot and Hulit d/t his outstanding performance last w/e.

* Watch for Hisey and Little.

* The 67s are 13-0-1 when they score first.

PRE-GAME INTERVIEW WITH KILLER
(On TEAM 1200/Schreibs) The play-offs start tonight for out team. There are no guarantees, other than for Peterborough. It will be a big challenge to make the play-offs. Disappointed in the veterans; they need to pick it up or they’ll be outside looking in. Mancari’s a threat to score and he’s good on defence. Bonello missed having him. The other kids filled in but they’re not veterans. We’re 19-7-3 when we score first; coming from behind it’s a different story. We don’t seem to be the team that can do it.

PRE-GAME INTERVIEW WITH MANCARI
(On TEAM 1200/Schreibs) Disappointed not able to play. Watched all the games. Hoping to start a new streak tonight, this w/e. Know how important the rest of the games are; there are only 8 left. We have to take one game, one shift at a time. Know that Barrie plays a great team game. We need to go to the net and try to score and play a good defence. A leader knows what guys are going to get up for the game and every guy knows what they have to do to win. They’re all ready to go.

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

Defensive pairings: Colbert, Joslin; Staubitz, Reid; Van Herpt, Beard.

Starting in goal: Battochio. Guadagnolo on the bench.

Scratches: Spezza (healthy), Jarram (healthy), Akeson (inj-wrist, Achilles), and Lahey (inj-concussion).

OVERALL IMPRESSIONS
The 67s started with the VanderVeeken/Petruzalek/Kaspar line, and they came out with a ton of energy. They were quick to the puck, rushing, checking, generally starting the game off at a high level. The 67s got their first PP early on, and Mancari scored putting the 67s ahead 1-0. It was good to see Mancari back. The 67s were playing with lots of jump: rushing to the puck first, using the body. They scored another PP goal (Bonello). Bickell assisted with both goals. SOG at the end of the first were 12 for Ottawa and 11 for Barrie.

In the second period, the 67s continued to push. They were also making nice, crisp passes. They scored 4 goals, including another 2 PP goals. Mancari scored one of the 4 goals in the second, giving him a hat trick. Some hats hit the ice (about 3, 4). Crombeen-BAR scored one, getting the first goal for the Colts. When Ottawa went up 4-0, LaCosta-BAR was pulled and Thuot-BAR went in. SOG were 25 for Ottawa and 27 for Barrie. 67s were up 6-1.

The 67s had a bit of sloppy play to start the third period. Barrie increased their SOG to 43. The scored two goals, including one PP goal, but it wasn’t enough. 67s won 6-3. Overall SOG were 39 for Ottawa snd 43 for Barrie.

IMPRESSIONS OF THE 67s
No doubt about it, Mancari was spectacular. Not only did he get a regular hat trick, he got a Gordie Howe hat trick. He was on fire from the moment his skates hit the ice. Welcome back Mancari – the team and fans sure missed you.

Bickell had a strong night. So did Bonello. Actually, the top lines all contributed, which shows how strong this team can be offensively when they are all working hard and getting results. It seems that for many games, one or two but not all lines will score. It makes a huge difference when they are all working and scoring.

IMPRESSIONS OF THE COLTS
Bolf had a good game. I really noticed his play. He was steady in his position. Crombeen, Fuller, and Hotham did get on the score sheet, but overall the big guys weren’t that effective. Good job on the 67s for keeping them in check.

SCORING
OTTAWA
1, Mancari, (27) (Bickell, Reid), 03:31 (PP)
1, Bonello, (21) (Bickell, Petruzalek), 19:23 (PP)
2, Mancari, (28) (Bonello, Beard), 03:48
2, Hulit, (26) (Reid, Staubitz), 05:09
2, Petruzalek, (21) (Kaspar, Mancari), 14:34 (PP)
2, Mancari, (29) (Talbot, Joslin), 19:30 (PP)

BARRIE
2, Crombeen, (28) (Bolf, Fuller), 15:47
3, Robinson, (6) , 03:15
3, Hotham, (9) , 04:15 (PP)

THREE STARS
OHL three stars were: (1) Mancari, (2) Battochio, and (3) Bonello.

TEAM 1200 three stars were: (1) Mancari (was a big man for the 67s tonight; started with a great goal; got a hat trick and a Gordie Howe as well; proved he’s a valuable player on and off the ice), (2) Reid (had 2A; a great body check on Hisey; fought; moved the puck well; great work defensively as well), and (3) Hulit (1G; outstanding in mores ways than one; great work on the fore-check and the PK; his skating ability was causing some havoc; a great night for Hulit; some solid work).

REFFING
Parlette. A good job overall. Some questionable calls against the 67s in the third (even-upper type calls).

ATTENDANCE
9862. A sell-out.

NEXT UP
At home this Sunday night 7pm (note the game time change) vs the Kitchener Rangers.