67's wrap up roadtrip with a 1-0 loss to the Steelheads

It was Mike McLeod 'Bobblehead Day' at the Hershey Centre in Mississauga, but it was Jack Flinn who came out as the hero posting a 27-save shutout and a 1-0 win over the visiting Ottawa 67’s. Flinn is no stranger to shutouts and now leads the league with 6 shutouts on the season. 

Flinn wasn't tested much in the first two periods but had to be sharp including robbing Connor Graham on at least three separate occasions. 

At the other end of the ice, Leo Lazarev kept his team in the game and gave them a chance to win. He stopped 24 of 25 shots fired his way. He wasn't test much in the third period facing only 3 shots, but was able to stay fresh and stopped all 3. 

It wasn't until the 13:12 mark of the second period that Leo Lazarev was solved. After the puck ricocheted off the crossbar on his original shot, Jason Smith got a hold of his own rebound and scored on a nearly open net. 

Despite a 14-shot effort in the third period, the 67's were unable to clawback and fell 1-0 to the Steelheads. The 67's only have 2 wins in their last 12 games. Important decisions are ahead for the 67's management. 

The 67's have definitely missed the services of their captain Travis Konecny and defenseman Stepan Falkovsky. Both Canada and Belarus have been eliminated from this year's world junior tournament and are on their way back to the capital.  

However, after rumours re-surfaced surrounding the 67’s captain, there was speculation on where in Ontario he would be headed to.

Rumours of Konecny being on the block originally started to heat up back in November but were quickly denied by 67’s head coach and GM Jeff Brown. Last night, a report out of Erie, PA claimed that Konecny was traded to the Kitchener Rangers. Local TSN 1200 play-by-play guy, AJ Jakubec, was on the road with the team and tweeted out that he confirmed with Brown the rumours were untrue yet again.

In an interview by TSN 1200 prior to this afternoon’s game, Jeff Brown insinuated that they are not looking to trade Konecny but also said that no one is untradeable. 

“Everything is possible, I guess. If Wayne Gretzky can get traded, anybody can get traded. It’s not something that we’re pursing but certainly a lot of guys on our team, other teams have inquired about,” said Brown. “We’re just trying to figure out the direction that we’re headed for this hockey club for now and the future.” 

It is important to note that due to a trade freeze among world junior championship players, no trades can officially be made until January 5th. At this time, Travis Konecny has not been traded.

Trade rumours will continue to fly around until the OHL trade deadline of January 11th.

Game sheet here.