»

March 30, 2016

67's pushed to the brink of elimination in heartbreaking loss to the IceDogs

Fourty-six seconds. That’s all it took for Jordan Maletta to score the overtime winner for the Niagara IceDogs. The win gives the IceDogs a commanding 3-1 series lead in the OHL Eastern Conference Quarterfinal and sends a heartbroken-Ottawa 67’s team back to St. Catharines on Friday night on the brink of elimination.

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.

March 27, 2016

67s fall 5-3 to IceDogs in game 2

The 67’s will return to Ottawa down two games in the first round after a 5-3 loss in Niagara Saturday night.

The Barberpoles looked to be off to a strong start, taking a 2-0 lead into the first intermission, and allowing only one goal in the second period, heading into the third with a 2-1 lead.

But just 33 seconds into the final frame, Pavel Jenys beat Leo Lazarev to tie the game and put the pressure on Ottawa.

The 67’s regained the lead less than two minutes later when Nevin Guy beat IceDogs’ goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic on a one time shot on the powerplay.

But the second lead was short-lived when just a minute later, 3:23 into the third, Christopher Paquette made it 3-3 with the help of Ryan Mantha and Aleksandar Mikulovich. 

Josh Ho-Sang gave the IceDogs their first lead of the game with about eight and half minutes remaining in the third.  The breakaway goal would go on to be the game-winner, earning Ho-Sang first star.

The 67’s pulled Lazarev for an extra attacker late in the third but were unable to beat Nedeljkovic. Niagara forward Brendan Perlini scored on the empty net to extend Niagara’s lead to by two goals.

Perlini’s late goal was his second of the game. He also opened scoring for the IceDogs in the second period, slashing the 67’s lead in half.

Dante Salituro’s first-period goal, a 4-on-2 setup with the help of Stepan Falkovsky to open scoring midway through the first, marked the 67’s first playoff lead since 18:07 of game 5 in last year’s first round series.

Travis Barron scored the second goal for Ottawa, a deflection off a Falkovsky shot 11:27 into the first.

Scratches Jeremiah Addison and Adam Craievich are both still listed as ‘day-to-day’.


The first-round series will make its debut in Ottawa on Monday, as the 67’s take on the IceDogs in game three, at 3pm at TD Place Arena. If the 67’s don’t manage a win on home ice Monday, they will face elimination in Wednesday’s game four.

March 24, 2016

67's lose a nail bitter 5-4 in regulation to the IceDogs


‘Let Them See Red’ is Niagara’s playoff slogan but it was also the slogan for refs in the opening game of the series. The Ottawa 67’s and Niagara IceDogs found themselves playing 28:48 of the first 40 minutes with the man advantage between the two of them. Vince Dunn scored the eventual game winner on the power play just one minute into the third period to lead his IceDogs to a 5-4 regulation victory over the 67’s.

It one of the most bizarre starts to an OHL series as the 67’s scored on their own net just 1:25 into the game. With Leo Lazarev on his way to the bench from a delayed penalty call, Adam Craievich sent a no-look pass behind him from centre ice that ended up in the back of the net. The 67’s would not score on the ensuing power play but Nathan Todd would wire one on their next power play opportunity of the game.

There were 5 consecutive power plays for Ottawa in the first period but were only able to connect on that first goal. Specialty teams proved to be important for both teams tonight as the 67’s went 3 for 8 on the power play and the IceDogs went 2 for 5. The officiating tightened up in the third period with only two power plays awarded in the final frame.

The 67’s found themselves chasing the IceDogs all night matching them with each goal scored until the eventual game winner one minute into the third giving the IceDogs the first two-goal lead of the game. Ottawa had a hard time gaining any pressure in the third period as Niagara’s defense did a great job of clogging lanes and limiting zone entries. It wasn’t until 12:35 into the period that Ottawa would get a shot on net.

But a late power play gave the 67’s a great opportunity to gain some momentum. After hitting the post, Jeremiah Addison connected on the next rush from a nice pass by Artur Tyanulin. The goal gave the 67’s some more life as they battled until the final seconds. Despite the extra attacker, Alex Nedeljkovic and the Niagara IceDogs were able to hang on to their 1-goal lead and took game 1 of the series.

Nathan Todd and Jeremiah Addison each had a goal and two assists for Ottawa while Joshua Ho-Sang had three primary assists for Niagara. Addison now has 7 goals and 6 assists through 7 playoff games against Niagara. Meanwhile Ho-Sang has 1 goal 12 assists through 7 playoff games against Ottawa.

Next game goes Saturday night in Niagara before the series shifts to Ottawa on Monday afternoon.


Comments:
·         It was hard for either team to really gain momentum due to the several penalties in the first 40 minutes. Players had a hard time knowing what was and wasn’t a penalty.
·         67’s will need to be better in the faceoff circle winning on 38.6% of the draws on the night.
·         Silverlining is that the 67’s found multiple ways to score on Alex Nedeljkovic. It’s the defence that they need to tighten up.
·         67’s will need to continue to work on their power play as they have had to all season. Not capitalizing on their opportunities hurt them in the end however 3 of 8 is much better than 0 of 8.
·         Niagara continues to drive hard to the net. More protection is needed for Lazarev.
·         Watch Josh Ho-Sang, his playmaking skills and vision are some of the best in the league. He is lethal at many ends of the ice including behind the net (where he had two assists tonight).

67's, IceDogs set for fifth playoff battle in eight years

To anyone not familiar with the Brian Kilrea era, it's tough to explain how much the 2009 playoffs hurt for 67's fans; picture the worst third-period, game 7 collapse you can imagine, and add on the fact that it ended the coaching career of a legend.

The 2009 heartbreak wasn't even the start, nor end, of the playoff rivalry that's festered between the IceDogs and the 67's -  Adam Smyth elbowing then-Mississauga IceDogs superstar Patrick O'Sullivan in the head in the 2003 playoffs probably started it.

But the Hockey Gods decided that that vicious series, a five-game Ottawa win that resulted in 50 games worth of suspensions, wasn't enough.  And that upon the IceDogs move to St. Catharines in 2007, these two franchises would conjure up enough animosity to create one of the more hard-fought playoff rivalries in the OHL.

March 18, 2016

Scoreboard watching, cherrypicking on 67's not-to-do list

The 67's might have been getting ahead of themselves in their home finale in what Jake Middleton said turned into "pad your stat night" for some of their players, but a 5-3 win over Hamilton ensures they won't drop past fifth in the East.

March 16, 2016

67's lose Lazarev, gain ground on Eastern Conference

The 67's picked up another two points on Tuesday night, although given their success against Barrie's goaltending perhaps it would've been in their best interest to drop in the standings.

March 13, 2016

Tyanulin's overtime winner clinches hattrick, keeps home ice possible

Artur Tyanulin, who nearly had a hattrick wrapped up in a wild first period, finally found his third of the game in overtime on Saturday as the 67's beat Kingston.

If the Barberpoles want to have any chance at home ice advantage in what seems to be becoming an annual tradition -- playing Niagara in the playoffs -- last night was a must-win.

March 06, 2016

67's hush Bulldogs in 4-1 win

The Ottawa 67’s are two points closer to home ice advantage in the playoffs after a 4-1 win over the Bulldogs Sunday night in Hamilton.

The race for fourth in the OHL’s Eastern Conference is tight. Ottawa, Niagara, Peterborough, and Mississauga are all within two points of each other with just a few games left in the regular season.

“We’re all fighting for that fourth spot,” said 67’s captain Jacob Middleton after Sunday’s matchup.

The win over the Bulldogs now has the 67’s sitting in fifth with 67 points. Niagara is ahead by a point while Peterborough and Mississauga are tied just behind Ottawa with 66 points.

“With what we’ve got left, we [have to] make the most of it and play our best hockey leading into the playoffs,” added Middleton, who did just that, assisting on Ottawa’s first two goals Sunday.

The first came just over five-and-a-half minutes in the opening frame, when Nathan Todd managed to beat Hamilton goaltender Kaden Fulcher.

Artur Tyanulin, who picked up an assist on Ottawa’s first goal, wasted no time finding the back of the net 10:37 into the second after Fulcher gave up a big rebound on a Middleton shot, making it 2-1 for the 67’s.

Just 1:21 later, Travis Barron managed to poke the puck just past Fulcher, giving Ottawa a commanding 3-0 lead. 

But the Bulldogs were determined not to head into the final period scoreless.

With just over two minutes left in the second, Niki Petti’s repeated efforts against 67’s goalie Leo Lazarev finally paid off, cutting Ottawa’s lead to two.   

Matt Luff and Matthew Strome picked up the assists on the lone Hamilton goal.

Despite their best efforts, the Bulldogs only managed five shots on Lazarev in the third, for a game total of 19.

Ottawa recorded 30 shots on net, including an empty net goal by Dante Salituro, his 34th of the season, with 14 seconds left in the game.

The 67’s have just four regular season games remaining. Next Saturday, the barberpoles will take on the first-place Frontenacs in Kingston at 7:00pm.


Ottawa then comes home to play the Barrie Colts on Wednesday, March 16 at 7:00pm at TD Place Arena.

March 04, 2016

Craievich tallies twice against former team, playoff spot clinched

He hasn't reached his offensive potential since coming to Ottawa from Guelph, but Adam Craievich picked a good time to score his fifth and sixth as a 67.

March 03, 2016

Colts gallop over 67’s to win 6-2

The Barrie Colts exploded with 4 goals in the third period to take a 6-2 decision over the visiting Ottawa 67’s on Thursday night. The win gives Barrie a 5-point cushion over North Bay for 2nd in the Eastern Conference while the loss for Ottawa creates a negative impact. If Ottawa won, they would have been sitting in 4th place for home ice advantage. Instead, they find themselves 1-point behind Niagara, Mississauga and Peterborough for 7th in the Eastern Conference. With 1 to 3 games in hand, every game leading up to the playoffs is important.

March 01, 2016

67's unlucky despite 39 shot performance in Kingston

Despite a 39-shot performance and a handful of powerplay opportunities, the 67’s fell short in Kingston Monday night, losing 5-2 to the Frontenacs.

The loss was especially disappointing for Ottawa after a strong, but frustrating attempt at a comeback in the final frame.

“On a lot of other nights, we win that game,” said Ottawa head coach Jeff Brown.

The 67’s put up an impressive 25 shots in the third period, while the Fronts were kept at just nine.

But Kingston goaltender Jeremy Helvig kept his team alive, not allowing a single Ottawa goal in the third.

“There was no quit in our guys, and I’m pretty proud of them,” said Brown.

With less than three minutes remaining in the game, Lawson Crouse managed to beat Leo Lazarev, giving the Fronts a three-goal lead.

Crouse also helped with the game-winning goal, feeding the puck to Juho Lammikko about midway through the second. Lammikko’s shot made it past Lazarev putting the Front’s up 3-2.

Ottawa would not score again, despite their strongest efforts.

The first period was more evenly matched up, with both teams putting up eight shots and a goal each.

Jeremiah Addison scored his 25th of the season with the help of Artur Tyanulin and Nathan Todd, on a powerplay with just 16 seconds remaining in the first period.

But the Frontenacs came out hard in the second, dominating play and shutting down the 67’s, who only managed four shots on Helvig.

Kingston scored on four of their 10 shots, ending the second period with a 4-2 lead.

“We lost focus there a little bit, myself included, and it cost us the game,” said Brown.

Drake Rymsha tied it for the 67’s briefly in the second, but Lammikko’s game-winning goal came about four minutes later.

In the end, the Frontenacs, who have clinched the East Division, were just too much for the 67’s to contain.

It wasn’t all bad news for Jeff Brown though. His son, Spitfires’ Logan Brown, was named the OHL player of the week on Monday.

After the game in Kingston, Brown spoke about his son’s accomplishment.

“He had a great three games and I’m really proud of him,” said the elder Brown of his son.

“He’s really working hard and being a good teammate. All the things we talked about growing up.”

“I’m a proud dad today,” he adds.

“He earned it. He deserved it.”


The 67’s next game will be Thursday at 7:30 in Barrie against the Colts. The next home game will be played at TD Place Arena on Wednesday, March 16, also against the Barrie Colts.