67’s blanked by Petes in 6-0 loss

Despite outscoring the Petes 21-9 in their first four games, the 67’s have now been outscored 13-4 in their last two games including their 6-0 loss in Peterborough tonight.

From the drop of the puck to the loud buzzer at the end, the Ottawa 67’s were not up to the challenge and looked lifeless for most of the game.  The 67’s were outshot 19-2 by the 15 minute mark of the opening frame.  The 67’s powered back with some scoring chances near the end but both goaltenders shut the door leaving the game scoreless after 1.

The Petes continued to fire everything they could at Philippe Trudeau but it wasn’t until the 11:49 minute mark of the second period that the Petes were able to solve him.  Nick Ritchie cracked open the scoring after a pretty pass from Michael Clarke behind the net.

“He's playing a heck of a game right now. We’re throwing everything at him. He's made some incredible saves. Hats off to him but we got get some traffic in front of him because you can't stop what you can't see,” said Clarke in the second intermission.

That’s exactly what the Petes did in the third period. 

Josh MacDonald notched his 14th of the season early in the third after a pass off the halfboards found MacDonald open at in front of the net.  His quick wrist shot launched the puck top shelf and in.

That opened the flood gates.  The Petes tightened things up.  They started to get more traffic in front of the net making it harder for Trudeau to see the puck.  They jumped on rebounds and capitalized on their second chances ultimately leading to the win.  Michael Clarke, Nick Ritchie (twice, to complete his hatrick) and Josh Maguire scored for the Petes in the third.

The 67’s were without Erik Bradford for the back end of the third period.  He was slapped with a 5 minute major and a game misconduct for a check to the head on Michael Clarke.  There could be supplementary discipline on the play.  His game tonight snaps his 6-game point streak where he scored 10 points.

Philippe Trudeau stopped 38 of 44 shots fired his was.  He was easly the best 67’s player on the ice and gave the 67’s every chance to win until the floodgates opened in the third.

“I think we just need to get a couple on him. We've had a tough time even getting one or two on him. He's a great goalie and he makes it look real simple out there,” said Andrew D’Agonstini who earned a shutout in a 23-save effort.  “Trudeau had a great game, I felt sorry for him by the end of it.”

Luckily for the 67’s, the Niagara IceDogs fell 8-1 to the Erie Otters tonight.  The 67’s are still sitting 4 points out of a playoff position but have one game in hand on the 7th place Mississauga Steelheads and the 8th place IceDogs.   

“I think we're still pushing for the playoffs a few points out, a few wins out but I think we just have to stay positive in the room on and off the ice and strive for the wins,” said an optimistic Ryan Van Stralen.

There are two games left between these two including the final meeting in Ottawa that comes up on Tuesday, February 4th.

Game sheet here.