Dad comes out on top in Battle of the Browns

It was a family affair at TD Place Arena Sunday afternoon as the Ottawa 67’s defeated the Windsor Spitfires 2-1 in a chippy game.

Ottawa head coach Jeff Brown’s son, Logan Brown, plays for the rival Spitfires.

The 17-year-old forward, in his second OHL season, has played 44 games and earned himself 49 points so far. But the younger Brown was kept at bay by the 67’s in Sunday’s matchup.

“He didn’t have an opportunity to be offensive,” said coach Brown of his son’s play.

“Our guys did a great job neutralizing him,” he added.

Ottawa captain Jake Middleton was part of that effort, finding himself up against the younger Brown a few times throughout the game.

“I had to go against him all night and he’s so big and protects the puck so well,” said Middleton.

“It was a battle for sure,” he added.

A battle Middleton ultimately helped his team win, scoring the game-winner on a powerplay opportunity 4:21 into the third period.

He came up to Windsor Spitfires’ goaltender Michael DiPietro’s right just on time to tip in a pass from Dante Salituro.

The Spits were first on the board just over eight minutes into the game when Jalen Chatfield scored unassisted, giving Windsor a 1-0 lead they would hold onto for just 1:52 before a backhand by Artur Tyanulin evened up the score.

Middleton assisted on Tyanulin’s goal, earning him two points and second star of the game, a big night for the defenseman.  

The game would stay tied through the next 34:24 minutes, leaving both teams frustrated at times.

“We weren’t taking it to them like we could have, so I thought if we could up the ante a little bit and battle a little harder, it would be a better outcome,” said Middleton.

“Fortunately, tonight that was the case.”

67’s goalie Leo Lazarev was awarded first star for his 26 save performance, while DiPietro stopped 18 of the 20 shots he faced on his end.

As for the battle of the Browns, it doesn’t get any easier for the 67’s head coach, no matter how many times the 67’s face his son.

“Of course you want him to be successful,” he said.

When asked if it’s harder on him or his son, Brown didn’t hesitate to say himself.

“He doesn’t care,” said the coach with a chuckle.

“He wants to beat the crap out of us, whereas I’d like him to have a little success too, while we beat them.”