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October 31, 2010

A 4 -1 Victory In Peterborough

After giving up the first goal to Peterborough again the 67's turned to solid teamwork in the second and third periods to take the game to Peterborough and take the home-and-home series. With two goals from Tyler Toffoli and a goal each from Shane Prince and Ryan Martindale, the top line lived up to their billing.

Click here for the game sheet.

I joined the 67's for their road trip to Peterborough and the back half of the home and home series.

It was a quiet ride down highway 7, perhaps too quiet as the 67's started the game rather tentatively and the Peterborough Petes were able to get the early jump. Ottawa didn't register their first shot on O'Hagan until over 5 minutes into the game. Ottawa native and Boston prospect Ryan Spooner got the first goal of the game and the only Peterborough goal before the period was half over on a two-on-one with Matt Puempel that he kept and beat Mrazek 5-hole. He was assisted by Zach Tatrn and Barron Smith.

Ottawa started picking up its game about two thirds of the way through the first although their second powerplay of the period wasn't all that powerful - they got two shots on goal and Peterborough got one.

The start of the second period saw a whole lotta skating by both teams but not a lot of shots or scoring chances. Shane Prince evened up the score with his 7th goal of the season on a pretty puck moving play among Toffoli, Martindale and Prince that found the puck on Prince's stick for the tip in.

Ryan Martindale got the go-ahead and eventual GWG on the transition after a wild scramble in the Ottawa zone that started with Matt Puempel blocking a clearing attempt. The Petes kept control and for a few moments, Mrazek had no idea where the puck was but Marc Zanetti finally got it under control and to Ryan Martindale who passed it up ice to Tyler Toffoli. Tyler sent it back to Martindale who put it past O'Hagan stick side.

There is no quit in the young Peterborough team and with just a one-goal deficit going into the third, they were working hard to tie it up. They outshot Ottawa 17 - 11, in that frame, including some great scoring chances, but Petr Mrazek was solid.

Tyler Toffoli scored both goals in the third with his 9th of the year as a quick wrist shot from the hashmarks that beat O'Hagan over the stick side for the insurance goal and he closed out the game with a SH/EN with two seconds left.

So with the two wins, the 67's stand atop of the East Division by one point over Oshawa (who has a game in hand) and third in the Conference. Tomorrow they host the Kingston Frontenacs for the second School Day game. Kingston is coming to Ottawa off a shoot-out road win over Owen Sound.

Three Stars as selected by the Team1200 (I decided to go with Jonny's choices)


Hardest working 67's as selected by the Team1200
Hardest Working 67s as selected by the Team1200: Shane Prince

Random Thoughts:
  • When the 67's play as a team, they are strong, aggressive, possessive and effective. They need to start every game skating and working hard. Better teams will get them into an early hole that the 67's will not score their way out of if they continue to take the first period to get with the program. For example Mississauga, the stingiest team in the league, is 5-0 when leading after 1 period and 8-0 when leading after 2. Not gonna make up lost first period ground on this team too often.
  • The Petes were very aggressive in their PK, effectively keeping Ottawa to the outside and limiting their real scoring chances. By my reckoning Ottawa only had 3 SOGs total in their 4 PPs whereas the Petes had at least 2 SOGs short handed. For the most part they maintained good possession but were unable to penetrate the perimeter and generate good scoring chances.
  • In his first return to his old barn, Adam was welcomed with a few hellos from fans and being charged into the boards by Myles McCauley. A mixed reception I would say.
  • Not nearly the scrappy game I expected after Friday's game. I guess Peterborough wanted to play a bit more disciplined and it was their third in three.
  • With 3 drafted players, 3 OAs and 17 eligible for 2011 draft (including their goalies), Peterborough is icing a pretty young team.
  • The person on the shot clock in Peterborough is liberal in his/her interpretation of the guidelines. Anything that came remotely close to Mrazek from anywhere in the rink was registered as a shot. Improves his save %.
More Pictures: Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug
Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug
Team1200's Jon Abbott talking to himself in the visitor's broadcast booth


Click here to see more game-day pictures.

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