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November 13, 2010

Hardwork and Teamwork Gives Ottawa a 3 - 2 Win Over Sarnia

The 67's made up for a less than stellar performance last week in Sarnia with a 3 - 2 win back on home ice.  It was a strong team effort, including Jake Cardwell the new guy on the blue line but it was Tyler Toffoli and his line mates Shane Prince and Ryan Martindale who did all the scoring for Ottawa with Tyler notching his 3rd OHL hat trick.

Click here for the game sheet.

With Carneval (injury), Shipley and Janes (injury) out of the line up, Ottawa was playing with a slightly shortened bench.  Cody Lindsay and Tyler Graovac took turns pulling extra duty centering that line. Petr Mrazek got the start.

The first period was scoreless with both teams starting tentatively but Ottawa slowly found its rhythm, picking up the shots on former Kingston backup goalie John Cullen. In their lone full PP in the first, Ottawa had a hard time maintaining the zone with the Sarnia's aggressive kill.

But the second period was all Ottawa.  Not only did they outshoot Sarnia 15 - 6, they also out-possessed them. I don't think Sarnia had a total of two minutes puck possession in that frame. But for all those shots on goal, Ottawa produced only one goal nearly halfway through. It started with Sedlak headmanning the puck to Nesbitt who chipped it in deep. Shane Prince got the the puck and took a big hit from Sullivan. Toffoli picked up the loose puck, lost his man and snapped a quick shot past Cullen from the top of the face off circle.

Having been dominated in the first and second periods but down just a goal, you knew the Sarnia Sting were going to play desperate hockey in the third. And they did, outshooting Ottawa 13 - 6 in that frame, scoring twice and making a game of it.

It was fast, up and down with lots of scoring chances by both teams. The teams traded goals with Dean Pawlaczyk tying it up early in the third when he picked up a big rebound off Mrazek put it over his shoulder.

Tyler Toffoli regained the lead when he buried a drop pass from Ryan Martindale. Shane Prince got the assist for starting the play by getting possession of the puck in the neutral zone.

Craig Hottot tied it up again with just under 7 minutes left on another big rebound off Mrazek that went into the slot and back on Craig's stick.

Sarnia certainly was encouraged and energized with their results but Ottawa rose to the challenge and it was Tyler Toffoli getting Ottawa back on top for good with his hat trick coming off a great passing play with his line mates Shane Prince and Ryan Martindale.

Sarnia threw everything they had right up to the final buzzer but Ottawa prevailed with their exciting 3 - 2 win.

Ottawa travels to Peterborough today and returns to the Rona Centre on Sunday to face former 67's Chris Perugini and the Soo Greyhounds.

Three Stars as selected by the Team1200 (third star Nathan Chiarlitti did not take a turn)


Hardest Working 67's as selected by the Team1200: Ryan Martindale
Random Thoughts:
  • The 67's played hard as a team, working to get and maintain puck possession and generating scoring chances. Everyone was skating, moving, and staying out of the penalty box. It was fun to watch.
  • For their part, Sarnia played a great road game in that they never gave up and made the game exciting. 
  • Jake Cardwell had a good debut. Interesting fact - during the 91/92 season, Michael Peca was traded to Ottawa from Sudbury and wore number 27. On the night to honour the former 67's, Jake Cardwell makes his debut from a trade with Sudbury and he wears number 27. An omen? We can hope.
  • While the Ottawa PP was 0/5, their PK was perfect at 0/3. Their PK was very good.
  • I had the pleasure of interviewing Michael Peca for an upcoming Then and Now article. What an incredibly easy guy to interview - very nice, informative and comfortable. A consummate professional. Hope to have that post up early next week.
  • OK everyone, stop asking Cody about his scoring slump. He's probably obsessing enough on his own - I'm sure he doesn't need help.
More Pictures:
Michael Peca and Family
Former 67's Michael Peca and his family


Jake Cardwell, newest member of the team


Remy Giftopolous

Click here to see more pictures from the game.

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