Ottawa Posts Fifth Consecutive Victory Over Gatineau

Liam Herbst and Sam Studnicka put the stamp on a back-and-forth pre-season matchup, sealing a 4-3 win for the 67’s during a late, wild game-changing sequence.

Herbst sprawled across the crease to take away an open net with his paddle -- a goal would’ve given Gatineau their first lead of the game – and Studnicka went the other way, scoring from above the hashmarks to give Ottawa their fourth lead of the game, the only one they wouldn’t surrender.

“All-in-all it was our first game and it was okay, it was an exciting game, lots of breakdowns and scoring chances both ways,” said Jeff Brown.  “It was a fun game to watch, although not if you're a coach.”

While the Olympiques pulled starting netminder Anthony Brodeur after 32 minutes of action, Brown had no plans to take out his starter, a move that paid off.

“I hadn’t even noticed them switching goalies,” added Brown.  “We were giving (Herbst) the whole game, that was the plan.”

Ottawa didn't get out of the game unscathed.  Dante Salituro appeared to leave the game with a back issue in the first period, while Travis Barron left the ice the game late after taking a hit from behind.

Barron was targeted, but gave it as good as he got it physically, throwing several big checks.  He set up Ben Fanjoy for Ottawa’s opening marker during a memorable opening period with the Barberpoles.

Nathan Todd was the second newcomer to get his first preseason goal, giving Ottawa a 2-1 advantage before the “home” side gave up another lead.

Artur Tyanulin, whose name was misspelled on the back of his jersey, had no problem showing off the crest on the front of his jersey, grabbing the 67’s logo in an excessively long drawn-out celebration following a highlight reel goal in the third.

Alexandre Alain tied it up again before Studnicka’s marker.

Ottawa finishes their preseason next weekend against Kingston and Belleville.

Assorted Notes:

• Jeff Brown admitted post-game that there wasn’t a lot of work done on systems leading up to their opener, perhaps the biggest reason that all four of Ottawa’s goals were scored off the rush, two on 2-on-1’s, and two 1-on-1’s.
• Matt Mercer may have set up the second goal nicely, but having him at forward isn’t an experiment that’s likely to last long.  Having a big body in front of the net was handy, but he looks much more comfortable on the back end.
• "When you look at the forwards that we didn't have in the lineup tonight, we needed some help and we have a boatload of defencemen right now.  It was an opportunity for him to play tonight, and he wasn't bad, it wasn't like he was a 12th forward." - Brown on Mercer
• Ottawa’s all-rookie line of Ben Fanjoy, Dylan McDonald and Travis Barron were Ottawa’s most relentless forecheckers, although the rookies typically are in pre-season action, whether or not it carries into the regular season is to be seen.