I was driving home from the cottage today and figured since I'd be going through Kingston around 2:00 anyways, I should stop in and watch the 67s take on the Frontenacs. Thanks to OHL Arena Guide for directions to the rink and general info.
Parking was $2 and the general admission pre-season ticket price was $6. Attendance was good -- I'd say 50-60% of the Memorial Centre was filled. Walking in the front door, you take a couple steps in and you're standing in the Kingston player's bench. Weird. The trainer turned and gave me a dirty look so I figured I wasn't supposed to be there, but no, that's actually how you get to the stairs to get up into the stands. It's a small arena (compared to Ottawa) with about 10 rows of seats all the way around. I like the view from about 10 rows up, so I stood behind the seats on the upper concourse instead of sitting in the stands. Good view of the action from there.
I was late getting in, so I missed about half of the first period. I looked up at the scoreboard and was surprised to see that it was already 3-1! For the visitors! That was especially surprising because the 67s seemed to be very offensively challenged on Friday.
Ottawa's 1st three goals:
Lahey (Kiriakou, Alphonso)
Lahey (Kewin, Cuma)
Kiriakou (Lahey, Alphonso)
Flueler started in net for the 67s. He let in another goal to finish the period up 3-2. Flueler made the save, but it kind of bobbled around and bounced behind him, off his calf, and then trickled in the net. More bad luck than anything. The scorer was the same guy that scored the first Frontenac goal, but I can't remember who it was. Kingston tied it up in the second -- a nice tick, tack, toe passing play on the PP to the guy in the slot who slid it just inside the post. I don't think that one was really Flueler's fault either. I'd give Flueler just an 'average' rating for the night.
Midway through the second, Fleuler came out and Morrison went in. Morrison had a spectacular game! By the end of the game, the Fronts had over 50 shots on net, and Morrison faced most of them. He pulled off a shutout for his half of the game. I think he's going to be battling for that starting position. It should push both goalies to be better.
Kiriakou (from Reid and Vojta) scored the go-ahead goal on the PP. There was a scramble in front of the net and Kiriakou spun around and wristed the puck into the net. That would be it for goals. Ottawa wins the game 4-3. There were a ton of penalties called in the game. I think the refs were getting paid by the penalty. They were mostly even for both sides until the last half of the third period. Either Ottawa was trying to lose or the refs were trying to even the score because the 67s started a parade to the penalty box, including a couple of 5-on-3s. Morrison stood on his head and saved the game for them a few times. I'd give him the first star of the game.
The Ribiero-Lindsay-Nesbitt line impressed me again today. They've got energy and speed, and seem to 'click' already as a line, moreso than any of the other lines. If they keep improving, they may see more and more ice time and may even become the second scoring line we need! Lindsay is being groomed as Killer's #2 PK guy, after Kiriakou. Lindsay even got some 5-on-3 PK time. On another occasion, the 67s iced the puck on the PK, and Nesbitt went racing down the ice afer it. The Kingston goalie half-heartedly tried to play it behind the net but ended up just leaving it there, so Nesbitt got to it first and played it smartly out in front to Lindsay. Lindsay had an empty net to shoot at because the goalie was still trying to get back, but a Frontnac defenceman got in front of the shot and made the 'save'. Still, it was a great opportunity created by hard work. As the season wears on, they'll start capitalizing more on those opportunities. Veterans take note!
The Lahey-Kiriakou-Alphonso line played really well, notching all 4 of Ottawa's goals. Alphonso smacked a few guys around with some big hits, and knocked one of the Frontenac players into the Kingston bench. No real fights -- Liscomb and Kewin were involved in a 'tussle' in front of the 67s net and just got roughing penalties for it. Beard didn't play. I saw Jeff Hunt there with a bunch of kids in 67s jerseys.
Forward lines:
Lahey-Kiriakou-Alphonso
Liscomb-Daley-Kewin
Ribiero-Lindsay-Nesbitt
Never did see Pleckaitis (odd man out)???
Defence (can't really remember the pairings):
Reid-Vojta
Cuma-Ryan
Gallea
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