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January 18, 2015

Neil Doef honoured in 5-1 victory over Petes

The 67’s gave their fans an entertaining game Sunday afternoon at TD Place, taking a 5-1 victory over the Peterborough Petes. 


The crowd of 3534 was treated to a physical game with goals, fights and big hits between the two rival eastern conference teams. What fans didn’t get to see, however, was their captain, Travid Konecny who is out serving a two-game suspension for a slew-foot against Petes’ Kyle Jenkins on Saturday.

The game began with a touching tribute to Neil Doef, the 17-year-old Smiths Falls Bears player who was injured at the World Junior A Challenge. Doef’s teammates stood at centre ice while his grandfather took part in the ceremonial puck drop.

The cause hit close to home for the 67’s, especially Nathan Todd who took the ceremonial faceoff in Konecny’s absence.

“It was pretty emotional,” said Todd, who played in the CCHL with Doef in the past.

“I played against him and was with him a lot in the summer on the ice. I got to know him. He’s a great kid.”

67’s coach Jeff Brown was touched by the pre-game ceremony.

“The hockey world is a small world,” said Brown. “We’re all praying for the kid and hopefully he can make a full recovery.”

A key factor in the win for the 67’s was the power play.

“I’d like to take some credit for it,” said Brown about the successful power play. “But everything that we worked on all week had nothing to do with our three goals today. It’s just hard work.”

Ottawa scored three power play goals on six opportunities, the first coming just over nine minutes into the game.

With Petes’ defenceman Matt Spencer sitting out two minutes for a check from behind, Sam Studnicka buried the puck in the net giving the 67’s a 1-0 lead.

Dante Salituro and Trent Mallette both took penalties 28 seconds apart giving Peterborough a two-man advantage. Josh MacDonald was able to capitalize, getting the puck past goaltender Liam Herbst.  

The game remained tied at 1 after the first period with shots favouring the 67’s 10-9.

Studnicka retrieved the lead with his second goal of the day, and his fifth in five games on a feed from Adam Craievich.

The 67’s went back to the power play late in the second when Steven Lorentz was sent off for high-sticking. Todd found the back of the net for the 67’s, tipping the puck past Petes netminder Dylan Wells.

Ottawa wrapped up the second period with a 3-1 lead over the Petes.

The third period got fans on their feet with physical play and hometown scoring.

Just 1:13 into the period, Curtis Meighan scored his first goal as a 67 off a pass from Todd.

About three minutes later, Eric Cornel and Ben Fanjoy both sat out five minutes after dropping the gloves. Fanjoy left the ice later for a checking from behind penalty and game misconduct.

Petes’ Jonathan Ang took a high-sticking penalty early in the third giving the 67’s their sixth power play of the game. Brendan Bell capitalized, managing his fourth point in four games to give the 67’s a commanding 5-1 lead over Peterborough.

Alex Lintuniemi was granted third star for his effort while Todd and Studnicka took home second and first respectively.

“I thought we had a really good weekend,” said Studnicka. “We finished it off today.”

“We’re really coming together. Everyone’s stepping up. Everyone knows they can contribute and we’re getting a lot of offense from a lot of different guys, and that’s helping us.”


The 67’s next game will be played at TD Place January 23 against the Belleville Bulls. The 67’s hang tight in their fourth spot in the east while the Bulls are fifth.

Three Stars as Selected by TSN1200:



Hardest working 67's:  Jacob Middleton
Hardest Working 67's: Jacob Middleton 

 Some pictures from the game: 


 


 



Click here to see more pictures.

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