Strong Win Over the Belleville Bulls

The top line just kept rolling along as Martindale, Toffoli and Prince each had a goal in Ottawa's 5 - 2 win over the Belleville Bulls. Throw in goals from Lindsay and Carnevale and you have the necessary secondary scoring for support.

Petr Mrazek made 28 saves while the Subban the younger made 34.

Click here for the game sheet.

In a tight East Division race, the Ottawa 67's need to beat the teams that they should beat. The Belleville Bulls are the second lowest scoring team in the league and among the teams that let in the most goals. So while last night's win was important, it wasn't against one of this year powerhouses. That's for later this weekend in Kitchener.

The 67's pretty much owed the puck through the first period although the shots at the end of the frame would indicate otherwise (11 - 7). My gauge is the level of complaints by the photographers at the other end of the ice.

It was the resurgent Cody Lindsay who got Ottawa on the board first just 5 minutes into game when he buried a pass to the front of the net from former Belleville Bull Julian Luciani.

The 67's went on to get goals from Tyler Toffoli, Ryan Martindale, Jon Carnevale, and Shane Prince to make it 5 - 0 five minutes into the third period.

It seemed that the 67's changed gears for a bit, perhaps focusing on preserving the shut-out for Petr, perhaps trying to conserve energy knowing the road trip and teams that remained for the weekend. But there was a brief 3rd period sag that the Bulls jumped on.

Actually, Belleville picked up their game in the second period and if a few bounces had gone their way, this would have been a tighter game.

Down 5 goals in the third, the Belleville Bulls didn't quit and were rewarded with goals from Brassard and Corbeth (which was a buzzer-beater that needed a video review to confirm).

They had other great scoring chances and Petr Mrazek was well tested in close due to some soft defensive play in their own zone.

But the outcome was never seriously in jeopardy as the 67's stepped up just enough to preserve the win.

After their 4th win in a row, the 67's hopped on the bus for a 6 1/2 hour bus ride to St. Catherine's to take on the Niagara IceDogs who will be looking to rebound from a close 2 - 1 loss to Missy. The stronger tests of the 67's lie before them this weekend and next.

TAGThree Stars as selected by the Team1200

Hardest Working 67's as selected by the Team1200: Jon Carnevale Random Thoughts:

• Tyler Toffoli was named the OHL Player of the Week for his 16 goals in a week.
  
• Shane Prince, who wears number 18, was listed in 18th spot on the NHL Central Scouting OHL rankings.
  
• This was Julian Luciani's first game against his former team after last weekend's trade.
  
• Shane Monahan was named to the Ontario U17 roster that will compete in the World Hockey Challenge that will take place in Winnipeg December 29, 2010 to January 4, 2011.
  
• Loved the Goulbourne Middle School band playing the national anthem. Really like the variety that the 67's organization brings to the anthem tradition.
• Belleville top scorer and Senators prospect Richard Panik was held pointless for the game.
  

More Pictures: Click here to see more pictures from the game.