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May 03, 2005

A Ton Of News And Notes

Just getting back into town – the dearth of hockey talk in and around our hometown is quite noticeable coming from Ottawa 67s-ville. Ah, to live in a city that has a rocking junior team . . . (What NHL lock-out?)

*From the Ottawa Sun (4.30.2005) Chris Stevenson writes, 67's Cup is finally full. Snippets:

"We feel like we can accomplish something by winning the OHL final and get into the Memorial Cup the way you're supposed to," said Bonello. "We don't want to lose. We don't want to be embarrassed. We want to compete to the best of our ability. Everybody on this team still wants to win.

"I'd like to go in as a champion," said Kilrea. "I know they're favoured and the odds are against us, but if you lose sight of winning or lose sight of championships, then you've lost sight of the game."

*From the Ottawa Sun (5.2.2005) Barre Campbell writes, Knight's tale for Mancari. Snippet:

GABE AND Christine Mancari are preparing for a special homecoming for their son, Mark.

The 67's winger will be returning home to London when the club begins its best-of-seven OHL championship on Friday against the Knights.

"I'm so pumped up about this, it's ridiculous," said the 19-year-old Mancari.

"As soon as we clinched the Eastern championship, I was just rarin' to see when London would finish.

"It's a dream of mine. It's possibly my last year (in junior), so I'm going to London and giving it the best shot I have and hopefully win a league championship against them.

"Playing against the home town is something amazing, something that any guy in the league would want to do."

Already, the Mancari family is making plans to host many of the 67's players, coaches and support staff at the house, located about a five-minute drive from the John Labatt Centre.

Mancari said many of his teammates have been invited for dinner on Saturday when they'll get a chance to experience a traditional seven-course Italian meal.

*From the Ottawa Sun (5.2.2005) Chris Stevenson writes, Cherry picking on Killer's agenda. Snippet:

This morning, Kilrea will get a couple of names of potential sleeper picks from his old buddy, Don Cherry.

"Grapes," who had a quieter winter than usual because of the NHL lockout, has been doing some scouting for Kilrea and the 67's.

"He goes with his son, Tim, who's working for Central Scouting and he likes it," Kilrea said after the 67's practised yesterday morning.

*From the London Free Press (5.2.2005) Jim Cressman writes, Red hot series spells OHL crowd record.

*From the Ottawa Sun (5.3.2005) Barre Campbell writes, Goalie has upper hand on Knights.

*From the London Free Press (5.3.2005) Jim Cressman writes, Ottawa 67's peaking for 'great playoff run'.

*Reid is definitely back.

*Memorial Cup tickets are at a premium already - NOOFers discussing the pros and cons of keeping or selling their prizes for thousands of $ [link].

*Only 3 more sleeps 'til hockey . . . only 3 more sleeps . . .

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