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March 13, 2005

Game Recap vs Kingston (12-Mar)

67s win a big game over the Frontenacs, 8-5. See OHL game summary here. And Kingston has a game summary here.

IN THE NEWS
From SLAM! Sports 67's defeat Frontenacs. A quote from Hulit:

"We came out flat the first couple of periods. We weren't playing sound defensively and we were making a lot of mistakes in our own end," said Hulit, who rounded out his hat-trick performance with a goal into an empty net in the final minute. "We came into the dressing room before the third period and said we've got to start playing our game, start crashing and banging and get the pucks on net and just do the little things right."

And from the Ottawa Sun Bruce Garroich writes, Kilrea yells, 67's go nuts. I guess Killer peeled the paint during the second intermission:

Down 3-1 after 40 minutes yesterday at the Civic Centre, the 67's were read the riot act by coach Brian Kilrea and exploded for seven third-period goals en route to an 8-5 victory over the Kingston Frontenacs in front of a sellout crowd of 9,862.

[. . .]

"I just wasn't happy with the way we were playing in the first two periods -- especially in our own end," said Kilrea. "We just weren't doing a very good job and I let the guys know that.

"I'm not even sure what I said. But we had guys who were getting the job done for us in the past that weren't getting it done. We were giving up so many chances that it was only a matter of time before (goalie) Danny Battochio became human and actually gave up a goal."

I know a few fans thought the 67s’ turn-around had more to do with specific things they did - like putting their jackets back on, adjusting their jersey/sweaters, or intense heckling of the Fronts’ bench, ya know . . . superstitiousy things like that. But I could see where Killer would have more of an influence ;o) . . .

PRE-GAME NOTES
The game was broadcast on radio (TEAM 1200/Dave Schreiber and AJ Jakubec). Some pre-game notes:
* Battochio to get the start again today. Guadagnolo will start tomorrow.
* Lawrance will sit today and Jarram will play.

PRE-GAME INTERVIEW WITH KILLER (TEAM 1200/AJ)
On the Brampton game: We didn’t score the first goal, but we came back quickly. The important thing is that we got the win. On Mancari’s game: All I know is that he’s got hot at the right time for us. He’s been an offensive leader for us and it’s starting to rub off because we’re getting better performances from the others. On the playoff standings: We’re watching the scoreboard, and we know the importance of each game. It’s important to get home ice in the playoffs. I didn’t want to tell our team because I didn’t want them to relax. On the game vs Kingston today: The last 2 of their 3 games have been shut-outs. They’re playing better defensively. It’s a do or die fight for a playoff spot. On Battochio: I always say that every team with a winning streak you just have to point to the goaltender and that’s a big reason why. We have so much confidence in him. On the 4pm start today: It was frowned upon but they were having a St. Patrick’s Day parade on Bank street so it would have been a little bit of a problem. So we pushed it back to give time to clear the lot for the fans.

2nd INTERMISSION INTERVIEW WITH MANCARI (TEAM 1200/AJ)
The guys are playing great lately. We’re taking it one game at a time. I’m getting lucky and it comes from working hard. I had a few hat tricks in minor hockey, but not like this. I get kind of nervous before the game, to see if I can keep it going. As long as we’re having fun and winning it’s good. Always want to finish on a high note. Try not to look too far ahead. Keep working how we are. Last night was my Grandma’s birthday. The death of my Grandma makes me work a lot harder. But it’s not only me, it’s the whole team.

LINE UP
*Forwards: Bickell, Bonello, Mancari (started); McGinn, Talbot, Hulit; VanderVeeken, Petruzalek, Kaspar; Jarram, Ouellette, Alphonso.
*Defensive pairings: Colbert, Joslin; Staubitz, Reid; Van Herpt, Beard.
*Starting in goal: Battochio. Guadagnolo on the bench.
*Scratches: Akeson (inj-wrist, Achilles), Lahey (inj-concussion), Spezza (healthy), and Lawrance (healthy).

OVERALL IMPRESSIONS
First period. Mancari and Kotsopoulos-KIN were having ‘words’ during the pre-game warm-up (with the linesmen intervening), and this translated to some physical play by both right off the bat: Kotsopoulos tripped Mancari, and then Mancari slashed Kotsopoulos. The ref, Beer, was watching but didn’t call anything. He actually didn’t call much during the first period. Kingston was attempting to get under the 67s’ skin by picking and poking and being pests. Hulit got the 67s on the board first: he fired a bullet past Davis-KIN, unassisted. The 67s were holding their own during the first, not as dominant as last night (vs Brampton). Kingston spent a lot of time in the 67s end; the 67s’ were having trouble getting the puck away from the Fronts. Beard made some good defensive moves – checking his man, stripping the puck etc. The first penalty went to VanderVeeken for hooking, and Kaspar had a short-handed opportunity but he waited and passed to Mancari. Good effort, but he should have shot. Talbot was working hard during the PK, which they killed off. There was a lot of holding and obstruction that wasn’t called. Kotsopoulos and Kaspar got a little testy with each other – hitting each other with their sticks after the whistle. Again Beer watched but didn’t call anything. At one point Ottawa had too many men on the ice – which the Kingston bench saw but Beer didn’t. At the end of the period SOG were 12 for Ottawa, 12 for Kingston, and the score was 1-0 for Ottawa.

Second period. C. Stewart-KIN scored 1 minute into the second period. The 67s’ defence left him open to catch the rebound while Battochio went sprawling down on the ice. The Fronts had a lot more drive in the second. Emmerton-KIN laid a huge hit on Reid, knocking him to the ice. Rizzi’s-KIN shot hit the post. The 67s were playing very poorly – bad give-aways (some right in front of Battochio which resulted in good Kingston chances), bad defensive coverage, lazy, sloppy, etc. They looked really tired out there. Pronk-KIN had a point blank shot, which Battochio caught. Mancari had a breakaway with Bickell, but they weren’t able to score. Suda-KIN laid a huge hit on Bickell after he missed the shot. Beard had a good hit on Hughes-KIN, who was coming across the line with his head down. Smolenak-KIN scored a PP goal. It was a really crappy goal where the puck just trickled past Battochio into the net. The Fronts went up 2-1. Ottawa had a PP chance but were unable to do anything with it. Then C. Stewart scored his second to put the Fronts up 3-1. He was left alone again in front of the net. Poor defensive coverage. Kingston was definitely the better team in the second period. They scored 3 unanswered goals. SOG were 24 for Ottawa and 29 for Kingston.

Third period. Kotsopoulos-KIN took a dumb penalty (hooked Bonello) to start the third. This may have caused momentum to shift to Ottawa, because Bickell scored 0:44 to get the 67s going, and then a couple minutes later McGinn scored. The score was 3-3, and Kingston called a time-out to settle their guys down. The 67s kept pushing – not sure where they got the energy from, but they were just on a roll. Hulit scored his second of the game (4-2), and then VanderVeeken had a great chance. The turn-around in the 67s’ play from the second period was amazing. The 67s got caught with too many men, this time penalized. Reid used his body to block a shot during the PK, and was hit in the right leg. He had some trouble getting off the ice. McGinn scored his second of the game, off of Hulit, making it 5-3 for Ottawa. The 67s just kept coming – with another goal by Alphonso (6-3). Kingston came back to score, A. Stewart (6-4) and then Ottawa – Kaspar (7-4), and then Kingston – Emmerton (6-5). It was a goal scoring extravaganza. Kingston pulled Davis with about 1:30 left, and Hulit got the empty net goal to get a hat trick. StatsGuy got to throw another hat (that’s 3 now), and Kotsopoulos skated by and angrily flicked it back up into the stands. (Not sure he’s supposed to be doing that.) There were 9 goals scored in the third: 7 by Ottawa, and 2 by Kingston. Kingston was putting the pressure on at the end, but they ran out of time. Ottawa won 8-5. SOG at the end were 33 for Ottawa and 45 for Kingston. A totally wacky game, but lots of excitement for Ottawa fans in the third.

IMPRESSIONS OF THE 67s
Not sure what they did during the second intermission, because they certainly didn’t look too good for the first 2 periods of this game. They turned it on big time in the third, and fortunately for them Kingston was not able to match them.

Hulit. A hat trick night: 3G and 2A. He got things going and then finished them off. Outstanding. He played so well Friday night against Brampton, but he just couldn’t get the puck in the net. It was so good to see it finally working for him.

Talbot. 4A. He’s so consistent and so anti-dramatic. He goes about his business, and he makes hard work look effortless.



McGinn. 2G and 1A. Continues to impress. He’s earned his spot on that line, and contributes significantly.



Ouellette. I’m really enjoying watching him. He’s a fast skater – can take off down the ice. He’s good with the puck. He’s getting more ice time, so watch for him to continue improving, become more confident, etc.

Kaspar. Had a good game offensively – 1G, 2A. He had some oopsies on defensive plays and some poor passing decisions, but he’s been playing better of late.


IMPRESSIONS OF THE FRONTENACS
They had the game under control for the first two periods. They fell apart. Not good. They let 6+1EN goals in one period. That’s not good. Not good at any time, but certainly not good when you’re attempting to secure a playoff position.

Griffith. Had a number of scoring chances in the second period. Worked hard.
C. Stewart. Had 2G. A dangerous player. Tough.
Emmerton. Good with the puck; dangerous around the net.
A. Stewart. Not as dominant as you’d expect. Definitely a great player, but not like others of his status (I’m thinking Richards-KIT and Perry-LON).
Kotsopoulos. A real little agitator. He did a good job though. The love-to-have-’em-hate-to-play-against-’em type player. (I love watching these guys.)
Bolt. Speedy rushing up the wings.
Suda. Good job shutting down some of Ottawa’s offensive players (e.g., Mancari).
Others I noticed: Shutron and Hughes.

SCORING
OTTAWA
1, Hulit, (27) , 13:33
3, Bickell, (22) (Kaspar, Bonello), 00:44 (PP)
3, McGinn, (8) (Hulit, Talbot), 01:14
3, Hulit, (28) (Talbot, Colbert), 06:05
3, McGinn, (9) (Hulit, Talbot), 13:52
3, Alphonso, (4) (Jarram, Ouellette), 14:30
3, Kaspar, (19) (Van Herpt, VanderVeeken), 17:19
3, Hulit, (29) (McGinn, Talbot), 19:16 (EN)

KINGSTON
2, C. Stewart, (15) (Bolt, Shutron), 01:01
2, Smolenak, (31) (Emmerton, Shutron), 12:40 (PP)
2, C. Stewart, (16) (Shutron, Hughes), 18:10
3, A. Stewart, (30) (Emmerton, Smolenak), 16:04
3, Emmerton, (16) (C. Stewart, Petrow), 17:48

THREE STARS
OHL three stars were: (1) Hulit, (2) McGinn, and (3) Talbot.

TEAM 1200 three stars were: (1) Hulit (what a pick-up Killer made in exchange for Tsimikalis; what a season; 3G and 2A; he got things going; he really lit a fire under the 67s; played like ‘a man possessed’ tonight), (2) McGinn (came on like gangbusters; have had to rely on him a lot because of Akeson’s injury; 2 huge goals; nice to see him contribute with such a big win), and (3) Talbot (quietly had a good afternoon; has been snake-bitten around the net; chipped in with 4A on a big line that did all the damage).

REFFING
Beer.

ATTENDANCE
9862. A sell-out, which was a little surprising considering this was a rare Saturday game at an usual time.

NEXT UP
3.13 at home this Sunday night (7:00pm) vs Mississauga.
3.18 at home Friday night (7:30pm) vs Peterborough.
And the final regular season game of the year: 3.20 at home Sunday afternoon (2:00pm) vs Kingston.

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