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December 05, 2009

Teddy Bears Counter Attack

Owen Sound Attack goalie Scott Stajcer stopped 39 of 40 shots for his team but it was the 67s who skated off with the 2-0 win and the three game winning streak. Bit it was well into the third period before the fans got to exercise their throwing arms with the Teddy Bear Toss.

Forward Combos:
Nigro, Lindsay, Nesbitt (starting forwards)
Toffoli, Martindale, Carnevale
Graovac, Merrett, Janes
Hanes, -, Stevens

D-pairs
Zanetti, Cuma (starting D)
Demers, Gibbons
Birkhoff, Ceci
Hartwick

Goal: Perugini

Scratches: Cowick, Smith

There's really not much of a story to tell when a game gets down to the last 7 minutes before the first goal is scored and the second goal is an EN with 6 seconds left. Owen Sound's goalie, Scott Stajcer did everything but skate up ice with the puck to help his team win. Between the two goalies, he had to work the hardest. He was positionally very strong and he didn't let out a whole lotta rebounds for second chances. Both goalies had some help from the posts.

It was Tyler Toffoli who finally got Stajcer moving across the crease and beat him 5-hole. Tyler Graovac got the assist for intercepting the clearing pass and the sweet feed to Toffoli.

With one minute left and the faceoff in the Ottawa zone, Owen Sound called a time out and pulled the goalie for the extra Attacker and Perugini had to make a couple of save. Thomas Nesbitt blocked the shot from the point, dug out the puck and skated in for the easy EN to seal the deal.

The 2-0 win gives the 67s get their third shut-out of the season, the second for Chris Perugini and they take over first spot in the East Division with a P10 of 9-1-0-0. A pretty amazing run.


Here's your link
to the game sheet.

Three Stars as selected by the Team1200


Hardest Working 67 as selected by the Team1200: Andrew Merrett


Random Thoughts:
  • 67 shots on goal and the 67s win...hmmm. Not as creative as the numerology logic in the following clip:


  • Play was pretty even for the first period (nothing stellar from either team) but Ottawa owned the third. They had the Attack pinned in their zone for long stretches, passing and cycling almost at will and taking control of the neutral zone.
  • I shot from between the benches for the third period and the frustration of the 67s at not being able to score was audible. The lack of scoring certainly wasn't for lack of effort.
  • A lot of candidates for hardest working 67s. The spousal unit and I were guessing that it would be Thomas Nesbitt. He certainly played hard enough for consideration.
  • It's hard to believe that Cody Ceci is still only 15 years old (for a couple more weeks). Watching him improve over the next few years is going to be a real treat for the 67s fans.
  • One ref and two penalties - for the whole game. These were mighty polite players!
  • Homer moment: IMHO Hockey Canada got it wrong. If Hodgsen and McFarland were try-out worthy for the WJHC selection camp, Cuma and Toffoli definitely earned the opportunity to be invited. This is one of those character building moments and Cuma handled it very graciously and professionally in the interview clip I saw.
  • Tyler Toffoli was named the OHL Player of the Month for November. He currently holds top spot in the league for scoring streaks (6 games). There are three other players with a 6-game streak but Tyler has the most goals. Those stats were as at November 29th. His streak was broken in the Belleville game where he was held off the scoresheet.

I will miss the game against the Mississauga St. Mike's Majors on Sunday. The Majors lost in Kingston and will be in no mood for another loss. This should be a very exciting, competitive game.
More Pictures:
The warm-up pucks


Perugini - no rebound








Peter Stevens chatting with young fans during the warm-up


Looking up to the 67s






Teddy bears in flight!

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