67's Season Wrap-Up: From Behind the Lens

This year's blog was the collaboration of three contributors:  Kathryn the aspiring scout, Alex the aspiring sports journalist and me, the aspiring sports photographer.  We combined our love of hockey and the 67's to give you our insights over the season.  I have asked Kathryn and Alex each to do a season wrap-up from their point of view.  This post is from my point of view - from behind the lens. I hope we hear from Kathryn and Alex soon.   

67's eliminated from playoffs in 3-2 regulation loss

After a disappointing game 4 loss at home, the Ottawa 67’s found themselves in a hole looking at a 3-1 series deficit.  A deficit they were able to overcome in round 2, but this time it was against a team that was relatively healthy and could roll a full four lines no problem.

It was not the start Ottawa wanted.  With Dalton Smith in the box for boarding, Freddie Hamilton set up Ryan Strome in the high slot and wired it past Petr Mrazek at the 2:02 mark of the first period to end his 6 game goalless drought.

Ottawa would respond with just over one minute later on the powerplay.  Mark Visentin made a huge save off a Mike Cajkovsky point shot, but let out a big rebound.  Sean Monahan was right in front and redirected the rebound into the back of the net.

The fans at the Gatorade Garden City Complex were treated to a nearly 20 minute delay well before the halfway mark of the game with a malfunctioning penalty box door.  Perhaps the IceDogs may have caught a break, as the 67’s were starting to get back into the game with a sense of urgency.  Play resumed for the 14 minute mark and Mrazek came up big stopping 17 of 19 shots fired his way in the first period as Niagara dominated the last half of the period.  Freddie Hamilton added a late goal after the 67’s got caught flatfooted creating a clean breakaway and Hamilton slid the puck through the fivehole on Mrazek.

The 67’s would come out for the second period until they ran into some penalty trouble.  Just as the powerplay expired, Alex Friesen would give the IceDogs a two-goal lead after tipping in a Dougie Hamilton shot from the short side.  Mrazek and Visentin were solid the rest of the period.

A powerplay midway through the third period would give the 67’s some life.  Tyler Toffoli fed Jake Cardwell who was all alone out front and made no mistake to tap it into a wide open net. 

The 67’s caught another break as Freddie Hamilton took a bad penalty in the last two minutes.  The 67’s fired everything they could at Visentin, but despite two extra attackers and the scrambles out front – the buzzer horned signalling the end of the game. The end of the series and the end of junior hockey careers for Marc Zanetti, Daniel Broussard and Mike Cazzola.

The 67’s fell 3-2 to the Ice Dogs in regulation and fall 4 games to 1 in the series.  The Ice Dogs advance to the OHL Finals vs the London Knights for the first time in their club history.

67’s on the brink of elimination after 5-2 loss

By Kathryn Jean

Petr Mrazek stopped 39 shots, but it wasn’t enough as the Niagara IceDogs skated to a 5-2 victory over the host Ottawa 67’s.  The win gives the IceDogs a 3-1 series lead and puts the 67’s in a must win situation Friday night at the Gatorade Garden City Complex.

Round Three: Visentin Goal Caps Off 5-2 Ottawa Loss

The past two days have been wild for Niagara Ice Dogs goaltender Mark Visentin, but it appears as though he's redeemed himself for an otherwise rocky performance in Games Two and Three. He scored the final goal into Ottawa's empty net, a shorthanded goal that he sent the length of the ice for his first career goal, putting the finishing touches on a 5-2 Ice Dogs win as the visitors take a 2-1 series lead.

Round Three: 67's lose Zanetti, Earn 1-1 Split in St. Catharines

by Alex Quevillon
After playing a terrific road game on Friday night, it looked as though the Ottawa 67’s had already found themselves in an insurmountable hole against the Niagara Ice Dogs. One game later, the mindset has completely changed and the 67’s have the ball in their court, earning themselves a well-deserved split heading back to Ottawa.

Gustavsen scores winner in OT thriller

by Kathryn Jean

Brett Gustavsen scored the winning goal at the 2:09 mark in overtime to lead the Ottawa 67’s to a 4-3 victory over the visiting Barrie Colts. 

Round Two: 67's Keep Season Alive, Holding On for 2-1 Victory.

by Alex Quevillon
After a pair of disheartening losses at the Barrie Molson Centre put the Ottawa 67’s on the brink, they came back with a 2-1 win on home ice to stay in the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals against the Barrie Colts.

2012 NHL Draft Preview: Nishi Joins CSB Rankings

Michale Nishi making a save against Peterborough in December

On November 17th, the Ottawa 67's struck a minor deal with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds that, understandably, didn't garner much attention. In the pre-season, with Petr Mrazek and Shayne Campbell at NHL camps, the fort was held down only by Karsten Pankhurst, who hadn't played a regular season game in his OHL career (he was a backup in Plymouth).

Round Two: Barrie Ties Series with 3-2 Double OT Win

by Alex Quevillon
It took just under 90 minutes of hockey to find a winner on Sunday, but with 9:53 gone in the second Overtime, Colts Captain Colin Behenna beat Petr Mrazek from far out to send Barrie home with a series split in Ottawa, in what ended up being the second-longest game in 67’s history. (The longest? MEMORIAL CUP (2005) GAME 2 – Ottawa vs Kelowna – Ottawa Wins in 2OT (3-2) )

Round Two: 67's Shell Niederberger, win 5-1 and take 1-0 Series Lead

Just when it looked as though the Barrie Colts were going to take over game one of the Eastern Conference Semi Final in Ottawa, the home town 67's came out with an explosive second period and never looked back, taking the series opener by a score of 5-1.

Round 2 Preview: Ottawa 67’s (2) vs Barrie Colts (3)

By Kathryn Jean

REGULAR SEASON
Ottawa 67’s 1-1-1-1
Barrie Colts 3-1-0-0

This was a very close battle all season long.  All four games were decided by 1 goal with the exception to the third game of the regular season series where Ottawa netted a late insurance goal for a 2 goal win.

Round One: 67's Re-Take Series Lead (3-2) with 5-2 Win

By Alex Quevillon

Shane Prince notched a hat-trick and the 67’s finally put in a truly convincing effort, handing the Belleville Bulls a 5-2 loss and taking a 3-2 series lead after a pivotal Game 5 on home ice. They have a chance to close out the series on Monday night in Belleville.

Round One: Bulls Get Back In The Series

On the strength of two overtime goals from Jordan Mayer and Brady Austin, the Belleville Bulls are back in this series after earning a pair of 4-3 OT wins on their home ice. Mayer snapped home his first of the playoffs just 14 seconds into game 3 while Austin beat Petr Mrazek from far out, 7:46 into the extra frame in game 4 to level the series at 2-2. Now, the two teams head to Ottawa for a pivotal, nationally-televised matchup on Friday night.

Bulls seeing red as 67’s take a 2-0 series lead

The Ottawa 67’s faced off against the Belleville Bulls for the 12th time this season in front of a home crowd of 8,958. There was no love lost between these two teams tonight. After several minutes of chirping at centre ice lots of pushing and shoving broke out during the pre-game warm ups. It was quickly broken up by the officials and Marc Zanetti was assessed a 5-minute match penalty for spearing and thus thrown from the game before it even started.

This set the tone.

Round 1, Game 1: Belleville Bulls @ Ottawa 67's

by Alex Quevillon

It took a lot longer than the hometown fans had hoped for, but the Ottawa 67’s finally put the Belleville Bulls away as Tyler Toffoli scored his second of the night just two minutes and two seconds into the first overtime, giving Ottawa a 3-2 win and a 1-0 series lead.

Round 1 Preview: Ottawa 67s v Belleville Bulls

by Kathryn Jean

Ottawa 67’s (2)

Record:  40-20-5-3

Last year’s playoffs:  Swept in first round by the Sudbury Wolves

Top performers:
Tyler Toffoli 52 goals, 100 points in 65 games
Shane Prince 43 goals, 90 points in 57 games
Sean Monahan 33 goals, 78 points in 62 games
Cody Ceci 17 goals, 60 points in 64 games

Captain Zanetti Discusses Return And Long OHL Career

by Alex Quevillon

Marc-Anthony Zanetti in his rookie year

 

The Ontario Hockey League’s regular season has come to a close, and although the Ottawa 67’s have struggled to end the year, there is plenty of room for optimism. Not only because they are going into a seven-game series against a Belleville team that they went 7-0-1 against in the regular season. They are also getting a number of previously injured players back from injury. Likely the most notable sidelined body for the team in the past three weeks was Captain Marc-Anthony Zanetti.

67's Close Out Home Schedule with 6-4 win over Sudbury

by Alex Quevillon

The last regular season game played at the J. Benson Cartage Center was an emotional night for many longtime fans. The near sellout attendance of 9,250 were thanked for their support with a pre-game video montage on the score board, before being treated to a wild 6-4 win over the Sudbury Wolves, who eliminated the 67's last season in the playoffs.

Major Disappointment, 67's Lose 6-3 to Majors

The Ottawa 67’s continue to go winless on home ice, not having won at the J. Benson Cartage Centre since February 19th. Today was another large disappointment for the Ottawa fans. The 67’s were able to overcome an early 2-0 deficit, but ultimately fell 6-3 to the Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors, a game that may be a first-round playoff preview.

Hamilton leads IceDogs to a 5-1 win

Freddie Hamilton scored his 6th game winning goal at the 19:52 minute mark in the first period to lead the Niagara IceDogs to a 5-1 victory over the Ottawa 67’s.