ROUND 1 GAME 1 – Ottawa at Barrie (24-Mar) – Ottawa Takes First Game

The 67s win game one 5-4 over Barrie. Good stuff. Looks like it’s going to be an exciting series. I’m impressed with the intensity that the 67s came out with. They had a few bonehead moments, and Barrie certainly didn’t back down, but it looks like Barrie’s goaltending is going to be good for Ottawa (starter Thuot was eventually replaced by LaCosta). And ya gotta love the funky hairdos . . . they’re very . . . intimidating (I think that’s what Alphonso said was the look they were after. Oh, and I think that even Kaspar joined in and fiddled with his hair!) See OHL game summary here.

IN THE NEWS
From SLAM! Sports, 67's edge Colts. From the Barrie Advance, Colts series with Ottawa continues Saturday. From the Ottawa Citizen Andy Watson writes, 67's chase Colts' goalie. And from the Ottawa Sun Barre Campbell writes, 67's deke out victory.

From the Barrie Examiner Mike Speers writes, Fuller a 67’s fan no more. From the Ottawa Sun Barre Campbell writes, Colts hoping goaltender switch brings net gain and also, In Battochio they trust.

PRE-GAME NOTES
The game was broadcast on radio (TEAM 1200/Dave Schreiber and AJ Jakubec) and television (Rogers Television 22/John Bartlett and Greg Hotham). Some notes from Schreibs and AJ:

* AJ says that the boys may be too ramped up! Killer will have to settle them down.

* Barrie’s backup goalie is getting the start. Thuot will get the start.

* Killer’s made some changes to the line up: Akeson will move up with Bonello and Mancari; VanderVeeken will be moved down to fourth, and Bickell will move back with Petruzalek and Kaspar. Lawrance on fourth line as well.

* Van Herpt is not 100% after his crash into the boards after scoring his SH goal in the last regular season game against Kingston.

PRE-GAME INTERVIEW WITH THE COACH (TEAM 1200/Schreibs)
On the good run to the finish: A good finish to the season. Although we were inconsistent the first half of the season, we were better in second and down the stretch.

On what he thinks of the first round: No first round easy when you take a look at how close everyone was coming down the stretch. We know they’re a good and they know we’re a good team. You never know what’s going to be the deciding factor.

On the improved PP: We did start moving the puck a little better, and Brad Staubitz did start getting shots on net and that helped.

On Battochio: He won games by himself. We hope that he stays that way. We have all the confidence in him and if he plays that way he’ll give us all the chance.

On matching up to their big forwards: We’ve got 6 defencemen that can rotate. We know what they’re going to do a lot of times; it’ll be a three line game. Whoever’s out there they’re going have to work against them.

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

SCORING
OTTAWA
1, Talbot, (1) (Bickell, Colbert), 02:19 (PP)
1, Bonello, (1) (Joslin, Colbert), 15:14
2, Talbot, (2) (Hulit, McGinn), 07:23
2, Mancari, (1) (Van Herpt), 15:58
3, Bickell, (1) (Van Herpt, Petruzalek), 03:03

BARRIE
1, Fuller, (1) (Crombeen, Hisey), 05:32
2, Fuller, (2) (Hisey, Hotham), 06:38
2, Little, (1) (Hotham, Speer), 10:46 (PP)
3, Speer, (1) (Tremblay, Little), 02:08

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

TEAM 1200 three stars were: (1) Talbot (got things going tonight; 2G; great penalty-killing), (2) Fuller-BAR (a couple of goals on the night), and (3) Van Herpt (played injured; did his usual steady job; a real gutsy performance; 2A and some great defensive work). An honourable mention to Battochio (held the fort, biggest reason why they 67’s come up with the win).

REFFING
Smith.

ATTENDANCE
4189.

NEXT UP
3.26 in Barrie for Game Two.