Petes Allow Another Eight, Ottawa Wins 8-4

For the second time in 10 days, the Ottawa 67’s put up an eight-spot on the Petes in Peterborough, coasting to an 8-4 victory on Saturday night.

Saturday marks the seventh time in the past three seasons that the 67’s have scored more than five goals on Peterborough, whose defence hasn’t done much to improve over that time.

Joseph Blandisi had a pair of second period powerplay markers and two assists to match the four-point night he had last time the Barberpoles took on the Petes.

Ryan Van Stralen buried a rebound just 75 seconds into the game to open the scoring, and added a second between Blandisi’s marker in a big second period.

Brett Gustavsen also added a pair while Dante Salituro and Tyler Hill piled on with goals of their own.

Peterborough struck early in the third off of two goal-line scrambles, and looked to be storming back by forcing the game to 6-4, before Gustavsen’s two tallies.

Ottawa was a perfect 4-for-4 on the powerplay while holding the Petes to the perimeter on each of their four unsuccessful man advantage attempts.

Philippe Trudeau made 51 stops to preserve the win, while Peterborough netminder Michael Giugovaz has now allowed 13 goals against Ottawa in just over five periods of action.

Ottawa now returns home to play four home games in a nine-day span.

Assorted Notes:

• Ottawa's play in front of its own net has struggled for the past two years, but it's still far superior to Peterborough.  Van Stralen was left totally uncontested on his first goal, and a number of goals came as a result of the 67's forwards being alone in the high slot.
• The shots were 55-28 for Peterborough but the scoring chances were a lot more even.  Even on their four powerplays, the Petes didn't get any rebounds off their perimeter shots.
• The 67's two blowouts over Peterborough are a testament to what they can do against other run-and-gun teams.  Whether or not it works against teams higher in the conference is yet to be seen.