Forward Combos:
Smith, Lindsay, Toffoli (starters)
Cowick, Martindale, Nigro
Prince, Merrett, Nesbitt
Janes, Hanes, Carnevale
D-pairs
Zanetti, Cuma (starters)
Demers, Gibbons
Hartwick, Ceci
Goal: Perugini
Scratches: Graovac
The Ottawa 67's got back to the business of playing their opponents hard. If there was a stat for puck possession, my guess it that it would favour the 67's by a large margin.
The first period opened with a few chances by the 67's, even with Kingston getting an early PP, and finally Shane Prince started the scoring with under 5 minutes left in the first when he tipped in Thomas Nesbitt's pass. Travis Gibbons got the second assist.
The Frontenacs got themselves into penalty trouble at the end of the first period and were down two men for 1:17 to start the second. Tyler Toffoli took quick advantage of it when he potted a rebound. Julien Demers and Travis Gibbons were credited with the assists. The 67's were not able to take advantage of the back half of the PP.
The rest of the period was scoreless but it certainly wasn't uneventful. 16 penalties were called - many at the same time. There were only 5 PPs for all that time spent feeling shame.
Kingston had back-to-back PPs early in the second period. Perugini made a super save in the first PP, Beskorowany nearly put the puck in his own net when he fanned on his pass, and the 67's pretty much kept the Fronts on the other side of the blue line on the second PP.
A lot of late period shenanigans resulted in a whole lotta players to the penalty boxes: Moon started the parade by running Perugini and Cowick got the even-up call; Nigro took exception to Odam's face wash and he and Odam scrapped over it; as the period ended Smith and Gudbranson finally took out their frustrations on each others' helmets; Geldart received a 10-minute misconduct for not following the referee's instructions to go to his bench as the fight was on and someone from Kingston earned a bench minor - perhaps Gilmour for his views on the officiating.
Andrew Merrett joined his team mates just 15 seconds into the third. And Mitch Lebar took only about 30 seconds to get his team on the board and cut the lead in half when he put the puck over Perugini's shoulder.
Cody Lindsay restored the two-goal lead when his backhand shot just managed to beat Beskorowany. Tyler Toffoli and Tyler Cuma assisted.
But Kingston got it right back on the very next shift when Hartwick misplayed the puck and Derek Froats pounced on Michael Farrell's rebound and buried it.
The Fronts made a good push for the tying goal with the extra attacker in the final minute. Between Nigro and Lindsay, Ottawa won most of the faceoffs and even though they ended up icing the puck a few times, they held off the Fronts for the win.
Find the game sheet here.
Tomorrow's game in Kingston should be a testy affair.
Random Thoughts:
- A new top line - the high scoring partners of Lindsay and Toffoli, joined today by Dalton Smith who has been playing very well of late.
- I can see why the Fronts are the 4th most penalized team in the league - they're dirty! Slashing behind the play and running the goalie among the tricks in their repertoire as well as just being chippy.
- Dalton Smith took a lot of grief in the form of many many cross-checks from Gudbranson in front of Beskorowany. It culminated in a scrap between the two. Call goes to Smith.
- Doug Gilmour was seriously upset with the officials as he left the ice for the second intermission.
- There were some really great second efforts by the 67's today - excellent energy and commitment.
- A very well-deserved first star for Beskorowany. He really kept his team in this game.
- Valentine's Day today and the 67's celebrated with a pre-game celebration with many of the players' moms here today to get a rose from their son.
More Pictures:
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