Ottawa 67s Fan Report: 67's Spank Petes 5

By Kathryn Jean
Despite being short manned, the Ottawa 67’s spanked the Peterborough Petes 5-1 last night at the J Benson Cartage Centre in front of a crowd of 4,661.

Missing from the 67’s lineup was Dalton Smith - serving game 4 of his 10 game suspension, Shane Prince - nursing a shoulder injury, Ryan Martindale – still at Oklahoma City training camp in the AHL along with rookies Mike Vlajkov and David Perklin who came down with the flu

The depleted lineup did not stop the 67’s from coming out of the gates strong. After giving up a 3-goal lead and succumb to the Windsor Spitfires last game, it was the perfect scenario. With only 39 seconds in, Brett Gustavsen picked up a bouncing rebound off of Marc Zanetti’s original shot and fired it past Petes goaltender, Mike Morrison for the early lead.

Less than 2 minutes later, Ben Dubois fed the puck to Nick Foglia who was cutting right in front and picked up his first goal of the season to give Ottawa a quick 2-goal lead. Immediately after, Mike Pelino called a timeout to settle down his troops.

Tyler Toffoli gave the 67’s a 3-goal lead with some nice initial work by Sean Monahan who fed the puck to Toffoli behind the net before the first period came to a close.

Gustavsen came close to making it 4-0 in the first but Mike Morrison came up with a big save after the small feisty winger came streaking in on a breakaway. At the opposite end, Petr Mrazek continued to play strong not allowing any Petes to solve him.

Early in the third period the 67’s scored two quick goals under two minutes apart. Toffoli picked up his second goal of the game after he ripped it short side off a crisp pass from Monahan. Overage veteran Ben Dubois picked up his first goal of the season picking up another rebound off Morrison and knocking it past him for the 5-0 lead.

Only moments later, Andrew Yogan notched Petes only goal of the game and his first of the season from Derek Mathers and Jeremy Gottzmann spoiling Mrazek’s shutout bid.

5-1 final for the Ottawa 67’s.

The Ottawa 67’s will look for redemption when Sens prospect Stefan Noesen and the Plymouth Whalers roll into to town on Sunday afternoon at 2pm.

Here's the game sheet.

Random thoughts from behind the lens:

Lots of scouts in the house again. Monahan and others did not disappoint. Expect even more scouts when the Whalers come to town on Sunday.
Interesting POV from the TSN article on the game. Apparently the Petes were a tad tired after player the Whalers at home last night. No mention that the 67's iced only three lines to Peterborough's 4 and that Ottawa was missing key players (Prince, Smith, Perklin, Vlajkov and Martindale.
Speaking of Ryan Martindale, an Edmonton Journal article on the Oklahoma Oil Barons gives us faint hope that Ryan might be sent back to Ottawa to ensure that he gets good ice time.
Several Shanahan-approved-style hits in the game. Hard and effective without causing injury. Pretty much how you would like it if you were a parent or some other loved-one of the players.
The school band playing the anthem was a nice touch. Smart, inspiring march - like it should be.
For some reason, the chicken dance in the second intermission (or is it the third) is incredibly popular with kids of all ages.
Taylor Fielding was the CTV Ottawa Athlete of the Week - worth the watch.
Former Ottawa 67's Thomas Kiriakou made his pre-season debut with the Las Vegas Wranglers and notched the GWG in tonight's game.