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March 28, 2016

Firsts for both netminders, 67's finally beat Nedeljkovic in Game Three

It took 10 games and a meltdown of sorts -- three of the first six shots finding the net -- for the Ottawa 67's to finally beat Alex Nedeljkovic, and it couldn't have come at a more opportune time.

With a 4-2 win on  Monday, Ottawa draws to within a game of Niagara and holds their serve at home.

"Our first period was as bad as we played in months," said Jeff Brown.  "We just had a little chat at the end of the first period and I thought our guys responded really well the rest of the way."

Outshot 15-5 in the first period and 8-3 in the third, the Barberpoles had to hold on for dear life late.

Leo Lazarev had to put together a 28-save to preserve his first career playoff win.

Artur Tyanulin tucked one in off a broken play just over a minute into the third, while Nathan Todd squeaked one by Nedeljkovic from outside the faceoff circle.

Todd added his third of the playoffs in the second, eventually holding up as the game winner.

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Jake Middleton logged 25:11 in icetime, leading all 67's blueliners after his d-partner, Nevin Guy, left the game with what Brown believes is a season-ending arm injury.

"The legs are fine from the ice time, it's more the shots I've blocked," joked the 67's captain post-game.

In the first period, Middleton played seven of nine even-strength shifts against Pavel Jenys and Josh Ho-Sang, inevitably facing other competition after Guy's injury (10 even strength shifts vs. Jenys & Ho-Sang, 10 even strength shifts vs. Anthony DiFruscia, Jordan Malletta and Brendan Perlini in 25 total ES shifts).

"There are so many skilled guys on that team, I didn't think much about who I was playing against."

Added his bench boss; "that was the best game (Middleton) has played, in a lot of ways he is our MVP."

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Ottawa tries to even the series Wednesday at home.

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