67's blanked 6-0 by Gens

The season series between the Ottawa 67’s and Oshawa Generals couldn’t have been over sooner if you’re a 67’s fan.  Gens’ forward Scott Laughton posted 3 goals and 4 points enroute to a 6-0 victory over the 67’s in Oshawa tonight.  The Gens end up winning the season series 5-1-0-0 and outscoring them 28-12 through the 6 games.

Both teams came into the game on a two-game winning streaks.  The Gens have already clinched a playoff position while the 67’s are still fighting to stay in the playoffs.

Once again, Philippe Trudeau was tested throughout the game. He stopped 53 of 59 shots fired his way.  The 67’s were only able to mustard up 20 shots total.

Scott Laughton opened the scoring midway through the opening frame off a turnover in the Ottawa zone.  Laugton capitalized on a big rebound out front.  The shots were already 20-7.

The 67’s specialty teams struggled today allowing a short-handed and powerplay goal.  The 67’s allowed 7 powerplay opportunities and were unable to connect on their own.  They had a 5-on-3 man advantage for nearly a minute and a half but did not get enough pucks towards the net to solve goaltender Ken Appleby. 

The Gens scored two quick goals in a span of 11 seconds to give them an early 3-0 lead in the second period. Laughton added his second of the game while Sterk added the Gens’ third of the goal night after his lethal shot beat Trudeau.

Another costly turnover in the Gens zone led to break out pass to Scott Laughton, who made no mistake deking Trudeau for his shorthanded hattrick goal

Dylan Smoskowitz and Bradley Latour rounded out the scoring late in the second to seal the victory.

"It's definitely a big stretch drive for us here. We need to get some wins and hold down the fort here and get into to the playoffs. Once you're in the playoffs anything can happen everyone knows that, there's injuries and lots of stuff could happen. If we get there, we think we could do some damage," Erik Bradford said in the first intermission.

It might have been the last time these two clubs met in the regular season, but this was a potential preview for the first round of the OHL playoffs.  In possession of the final playoff spot in the East, tonight’s loss proves to be risky.  Ottawa is only one point ahead of Niagara with 44 points. With Niagara idle tonight, they have one game in hand.

Ottawa host the Owen Sound Attack for the first and final time this season on Monday afternoon.

NOTE:

• Ryan Van Stralen did not play. He is listed day-to-day after being injured on Wednesday. 
• Scott Laughton had 11 points in 5 games against while Dal Colle had 13 points in 4 games against the 67’s.

Game summary here.