Rymsha returns, 67's shutout Gens

Don't look now, but the 67's have pieced together three wins in a row and, more importantly, are starting to pick up what Jeff Brown is putting down.

Leo Lazarev had to be outstanding at times, but in a third period where the 67's and Generals traded chances, it was Ottawa's ability to outchance the Gens and clog up the neutral zone late that had their bench boss' blessing.
"There's still work to be done, but I thought we worked really hard," said Brown, who got goals from Nathan Todd and Stepan Falkovsky a week after calling out 'the older guys' on the team.  "Every game with them is tight, but we found a way to win again."

As Ottawa tossed 35 pucks on net, three of them by Travis Barron in a goalmouth scramble before he finally tucked one in, Lazarev had to make 31 saves to preserve the shutout.

"Oshawa's going to be seeing him in their nightmares, he's been great against them," added Brown.

Roleplayers Rising

Barron and Jeremiah Addison, as is typical for them when the intensity rises, seemed to enjoy the games's chippy nature all to well.

But the most important 67 that didn't appear much on the scoresheet was their returning roleplayer, Drake Rymsha who came back from a broken femur.

"For three months being out, he was tremendous," said Brown, starting Rymsha on a line with Barron and Artur Tyanulin.  "We need him, we're really excited, trading (Sam Studnicka) he's going to play that role.  His hard work is that important."

Rymsha was 10-for-18 on draws and was out in the final minute to defend what was then a two-goal lead.

"When the coach has that confidence in the last minute you feel good about yourself," added Rymsha on his first game back.

"The leg felt fine, the lungs need to get in game shape a bit.  It'll come."

In case game-planning against one of the league's best blueliners in Mitch Vande Sompel wasn't difficult enough tonight, Brown's task will be that much more difficult on Sunday as he tries to coach against his son Logan.