Ottawa 67s Fan Report: 67’s fall 5-3 to Generals

By Kathryn Jean

Josh Graves scored at the 17:10 mark in the third period to help lead the Oshawa Generals to a 5-3 victory over the Ottawa 67’s.

The two teams came out of the gate competing at the same level, but it wasn’t until the 13:05 mark in the 1st period when something tangible happened. After blocking a shot in the Generals zone, Scott Laughton picked up the puck and skated down the other side of the ice creating a 2-on-1 break. With a perfect pass to Christian Thomas, he shot it top shelf over Petr Mrazek for the lead.
In his first game back from missing the last three weeks with a concussion, Sean Monahan grabbed a loose puck and knocked it past Daniel Altshuller to tie the game with 33 seconds gone the second period.

The Gens would respond after Nicklas Jensen scored through traffic on the short side for Oshawa’s second lead of the game. Just over one minute later and with an extra attacker on a delayed call, the 67’s would tie it up off a bullet shot from Remy Giftopolous who was standing high in the slot.

Back-and-forth play continued as both teams had some quality scoring chances for the rest of the game but the goaltenders stood on their heads.

Seven minutes into the final frame, Dalton Smith gave the 67’s their first lead of the game with thanks to some terrific work from Jake Cardwell who deked the Oshawa defender and fed Smith a beautiful lead pass. Again, the Gens would respond under a minute later. Daniel Maggio fired a shot from the point past Mrazek to regain the one goal lead.

Finally, with less than 3 minutes to go in the game, Josh Graves would score as the puck trickled under Mrazek after he stopped a blank shot from Gens newcomer Peter Hermenegildo. Boone Jenner sealed the deal by scoring on the empty net moments later. This marks the 67’s second loss to the Generals this season and moves their head-to-head record to 1-2-0-0.

NEXT GAME:
On Sunday, the 67’s will travel to the K-Rock Centre to face the Kingston Frontenacs at 2pm.
Meanwhile, the Generals will be a little down the 401 taking on the Belleville Bulls, also at 2pm.

Click here for the game sheet.

Three Stars as Selected by the Team1200

Hardest Working 67's: Dalton Smith

Random Thoughts from Behind the Lens

This was not their best effort....by a long shot. Especially after seeing the focus and full-game effort from a very short bench playing their 3rd in three last weekend. We know they have it in them.
With only 9 points separating 1st place from 9th place in the Eastern Conference, every point is important. The teams that will come out on top will be those that play consistently and win. No room for sloppy shifts and mediocre effort. There were more than a few half-hearted efforts in this game.
Telling stat: 6 powerplays, maybe three shots on goal. In total. At least 1 went in.
Full credit to Oshawa...they skated hard, played Ottawa close and were in good positions. They deserved this win.
The league's efforts to raise concussion awareness with players is paying off. If you were wondering about the unusually high number of concussions this year, it's because players are much more comfortable reporting symptoms. This results in the player taking the "concussion" test and if he fails it (does not meet his scores from the baseline taken in the summer), he is off immediately for at least a week. Players currently out due to concussion-like symptoms are Graovac and Perklin. This is good news (in the sense that players are taking their noggin's seriously). Now if Gustavsen would only do his chin strap up properly...
I know it all sounds crabby - it wasn't all bad - there were some good individual efforts in the game. And adversity can build character. It will be interesting how this team responds as various players begin reporting to their national camps in preparation for the World Junior Hockey Championship. Hockey Canada has stated that the selection camp roster will be released on Monday. Tyler Toffoli should get an invitation for Canada. Shane Prince should get the call for Team USA and the 67's have prepared in case Mrazek gets the call for Team Czech Republic.