67’s get edged by the Gens 3-2 in heartbreaking overtime loss

Michael Dal Colle scored with 1:50 left in the extra frame to give his Oshawa Generals a 3-2 victory over the visiting Ottawa 67’s.  The 2014 NHL draft hopeful scored his team leading 15th goal and his 7th point against Ottawa in just two games so far this season.

Just ten days ago today, the Generals rocked the 67’s by a score of 7-1 at Canadian Tire Centre.  After the first 20 minutes, it was starting to look like a repeat.  The 67’s came out flat in the first period and found themselves chasing another early lead.  With Brett Gustavsen off in the box for a questionable tripping call, Flyers prospect, Scott Laughton wired a wrist shot from the point beating Philppe Trudeau on the glove side. 

Connor Brown picture from earlier this season.  He was named tonight's hardest worker.

Trudeau looked shaky from the start of the game and less than three minutes later, Bradley Latour scored on a weak shot from the faceoff circle.  The puck went through Trudeau’s fivehole for the 2-0 lead. 

The Gens continued to press and outplayed the 67’s in the opening frame.  While Trudeau made some timely saves, he looked rattled from the previous two goals.  Trudeau showed lots of character bouncing back and playing outstanding in the remaining three periods.

The 67’s woke up in the second period.  Nevin Guy got the 67’s on the board with a shot from the point and help from a lot of traffic in front of the net screening out, Ottawa native, Daniel Altshuller.  The 67’s did a great job keeping the puck in the offensive zone for the full 1:41 minutes before Guy scored.

Midway through the period on the penalty kill, Joseph Blandisi forced a Dal Colle turnover at the blueline and broke out down the ice making no mistake ringing a shot off the post and in behind Altshuller to tie the game at 2. His short-handed marker gave him his 3rd short-handed goal of the season to lead his team and share the league’s lead with Laughton.

Early in the third, Scott Laughton had a great chance to regain the Gens lead after being awarded with a penalty shot.  Trudeau cut down the angle and read Laughton’s shot well to make the big save.   

Relieved after the big save, the 67’s did not get too comfortable knowing what happened in last night’s game giving up a 3-1 third period lead to the London Knights.  The 67’s dominated the majority of the play in the third period in large part to 6 straight Generals penalties.  The 67’s had every opportunity to get their first lead, but were unable to capitalize.

After a shaky first period and soft 2nd goal, Trudeau came up big and shut the door.  He made 43 saves on the night and gave his team every chance to win.  Dal Colle made up for his third period blunder and finally beat Trudeau off a rebound for their 8th win in 10 games. 

The 67’s drop their 5th straight game but it was a great character effort by the entire team.  Being able to skate with the top team in the league gives head coach Chris Byrne and his team some positives to take from tonight.  

The team will have a day to rest before travelling back up the 417 to Kingston for a Sunday afternoon matinee.   The 67’s will look to take advantage of the Frontenacs recent slump seeing them with a surprising record of 2-7-0-1 in their last 10 games.

Game summary here.