Ottawa 67s Fan Report: 67's Lose Game, Playoff Ground In 19-Second Petes Outburst

The Ottawa 67’s, who had several games in hand on teams ahead of them just a couple of weeks ago, only have one game in hand on the eighth-place team, while finding themselves in a three-point hole after a 4-3 loss to Peterborough on Tuesday.

Nelson Armstrong and Josh MacDonald scored 19 seconds apart to break a third-period tie, giving the visitors a 4-2 lead that they wouldn’t squander.

“It would've been nice to have a better response after the third goal,” said Chris Byrne. “When we're chasing them it's tough. The guys competed hard. But a couple of d-zone mistakes cost us the game.”

The two goals came immediately after a controversial late hit from behind by Clark Seymour on Erik Bradford, who received a diving penalty on the play, evening up the penalties.

Peterborough blew the game open on the ensuing 4-on-4.

Bradford didn’t score this game as he has a lot of late, but had a busy night, having to answer the bell for his headshot on Michael Clarke last week. The two dropped the gloves just over a minute into the game.

With both players off the ice, Eric Cornel opened the scoring for Peterborough. Nick Ritchie gave the Petes their first two-goal advantage of the night later in the opening frame.

In the second period, Ottawa’s third line, which started the game, took over.

Connor Brown deposited his seventh goal of the year, before crashing the net to set up a fluke goal by Sam Studnicka.

“Those guys played well, forechecked well and crashed the net,” added Byrne. “It’s good for those guys to get rewarded.”

Alex Lintuniemi also tallied for Ottawa late in the third, but the Barberpoles only registered three shots in the remaining six minutes.

The loss makes Friday’s game against last-place Sarnia all the more important.

“We've got to be a little smarter, and getting off to a good start on Friday night will be a key,” said Byrne.

Game sheet here.

Three Stars as Selected by TSN1200