Forward Combos:
Cowick, Nigro, Nesbitt (starters)
Smith, Lindsay, Toffoli
Prince, Merrett, Carnevale
Janes, Hanes
D-pairs
Demers, Gibbons (starters)
Zanetti, Ceci
Hartwick, Cuma
Goal: Mrazek
Scratches: Graovac, Martindale
There was a whole lotta skating in the first period and the 67's outshot the Petes 14 - 1 but there really weren't that many solid scoring chances. The Petes got themselves in a world of penalty trouble but the 67's were not able to take advantage - including a 55-second 5-on-3 that generated 4 shots on Missiaen but no goals.
Ottawa finally got on the board early in the second period, just as the last Peterborough penalty from the first period expired. Shane Prince tucked in a nice feed from Anthony Nigro. Corey Cowick got the second assist.
The 67's power play finally clicked when Corey Cowick was standing in the blue paint when he took another nice pass from Anthony Nigro and put it through the 5-hole of Missiaen. Travis Gibbons got the second assist on that one.
Despite having played so much of the game short-handed, the Petes managed to start getting some shots on Mrazek. With 45 seconds remaining in their 3rd PP, top rookie Matt Puempel jumped on the rebound and shot the puck past a lunging Petr Mrazek.
Ottawa went right back on the PK but they played it well - limiting the Petes to two shots while getting one of their own.
The 67's started the third period a little flat and the Petes were able to get some pressure going. But it didn't last long. Under three minutes in, Anthony Nigro got a shot to the net right off the face off and Corey Cowick was there to bury the rebound and restore the two-goal lead. Number 27 scored what would eventually become the GWG on the 27th shot of the game.
And just over a minute later, Andrew Merrett scored from the high slot on a screened Jason Missiaen. Dalton Smith got the other assist (I guess for having the puck lost in his skates?). At this point, the Petes managed only 12 shots all game.
At about the 4 minute mark it seemed like the 67's were backing off just a little and the Petes were able to control the play in the Ottawa end. So Ken McRea pulled a gutsy move and pulled Missiaen for the extra attacker and it worked. Liam Heelis jammed the puck past Mrazek when he lost the puck after it hit him in the mask. And the Petes were within two.
Missiaen was back in the net for the face off but scooted to the bench as soon as the Petes had control. A Petes' icing call caused Missiaen's return to the net but he was soon on the bench once again.
Tyler Toffoli got control of the puck after a great scoring chance by Puempel and was breaking in on the empty Petes net with Sedlak trying to angle him off. Sedlak threw his stick in an effort to interfere with Tyler's shot and Christopher Breen threw himself at the net and knocked it off its moorings. The ref awarded Ottawa the goal. Tyler Cuma got the assist.
And that was it for the Petes. It was a strong, convincing 5 - 2 win for the 67's on home ice. This was an important win as Kingston beat the Erie Otters. Ottawa stays ahead of Kingston by 7 points with a tough road trip for the 67's coming up against Kitchener, Erie and Niagara whereas the Fronts play Oshawa on Wednesday and have a home and home against Belleville on the weekend.
Here's the game sheet.
Random Thoughts:
- Good to see Cuma back in the game.
- This was a very solid game by the 67's. Lots of great energy and second efforts. They played physically and aggressively. It worked very well against the Petes. They had nothing in return.
- Derek Hartwick took a shot to the head behind his net in the first period and the 67's took him out of the game.
- A lot of penalty minutes handed out: 30 for Peterborough and 28 for Ottawa. Only 2 PPGs between the two teams.
- Anthony Nigro is doing well back in his natural position as a centre in the last few games. He was pretty feisty too.
- Missiaen made some really good saves. This could have been a much higher-scoring game for Ottawa.
- Since that bad non-goalie interference call by the refs on Friday, it seems that the officials must have been reminded about it. Two goals called off last night in the Windsor - Barrie game and one in this game. The head of officiating was in the house for the game.
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