The 67s were returning to the ice after a rest day yesterday during their opening road trip of the season. They played their season opener in Barrie where two brothers were the opposing tenders: Andrew Perugini for the Colts and younger brother Chris for the 67s. The 67s came from behind to beat the Barrie Colts 5 to 4 and give bragging rights to Chris. Then it was on to Brampton on Friday where they hung on to a 2 -1 win over the Battalion.
So the 67s were looking to make it a perfect road trip – and not like last year’s first game in Kingston where they were blown by some outrageous score of 10 to a lot less.
Meanwhile, Kingston was coming off a terrible home opening, losing to Belleville 8 – 1. So Kingston had some redemption on their minds for today’s game.
Ottawa changes:
Ottawa scratches for today: Matt Lahey (injury), Matt Ribeiro (suspension), James Craig, Radim Ostrcil (injury) and Jordan Gallea. Adam Courchaine started in net.
Kingston changes:
Scratches for today: Cole Weedmark and Kevin Mole. Daryl Borden started in net.
Ottawa Lines:
JMcGinn, Couture, Latta
Methot, Kiriakou, Bailey
Nesbit, Lindsay, Cowie
TMcGinn, Martindale, Carnevale
Defensive pairings (for the most part)
Cuma/Demers
Paryzek/Ryan
Wynn/MacDougall
First Period:
The game started with a fast pace and pretty much stayed that way all game. Kingston drew the first penalty of the game when overager Justin Wallingford was nabbed for interference on Scott Cowie. Killer left his 4th line of kid-McGinn, Martindale and Carnevale on the ice for the start of the powerplay. Good idea coach! Less than 20 seconds in the PP, Jon Carnevale managed to shovel the puck under Borden to put Ottawa on the board. Linemates Martindale and kid-McGinn got the assists (Tye was credited with the goal at first but it was subsequently changed).
The next penalty went to Martin Paryzek for interference and the first PK unit that we saw last year started: Kiriakou, Cowie, Cuma and Demers. They eventually gave way to Lindsay, Nesbitt, Wynn and Ryan. Kingston only managed one shot on goal and Linsday had a great short handed chance when Cory Emmerton gave the puck away but he was forced wide by Shutron.
Ottawa went up by 2 when Couture fed McGinn on a 2-on1 break and Jamie beat Borden for his first goal of the season.
Kingston’s Matthew Kang got the Frontenacs within 1 with over 2 minutes left in the period when he received a pass right from the face off while left along in front of the net.
With just over 90 seconds left in the period, Tyler Cuma managed to get called for two infractions – a slashing call followed by a hooking call. His extra curricular activities earned him a 4 minute rest in the penalty box. Kingston didn’t manage to get any pucks to Courchaine with the man advantage for the rest of the period.
After 20 minutes the score was 2 – 1 for Ottawa and the shots on goal were 13 – 10 for Ottawa.
Second Period:
Starting on the penalty kill for 2:23, Ottawa played strong including a thundering hit by Jamie McGinn on Kyle Paige. Kingston only managed to get 1 shot through to Courchaine. The PK units were Kiriakou, Cowie, Ryan, Demers and McGinn, Couture, Wynn, Paryzek.
The 67s went up by two again on another powerplay goal. This time it was Tyler Cuma beating Borden with a shot from the slot. Jamie McGinn assisted on the goal.
With just over 5 minutes left in the period, Kingston pulled again within 1 when Cory Emmerton wired one that Adam Courchaine is still looking for. It rattled off one pipe and then the other and settled behind the line. Borden and Shutron with the assists. But that wouldn’t last when Couture and McGinn teamed up again with a beauty play just as an Ottawa penalty kill was ending. As Julien Demers stepped out of the box, Jamie sorted the puck out of his skates, found Couture who was flying up the centre. Instead of taking the shot, Couture passed to McGinn who roofed it to restore the two goal lead. Ottawa finished this period on the PK again when Kiriakou was nabbed for slashing with 44 seconds left in the period.
At the end of the second period, it was Ottawa leading 4 – 2 and leading the SOGs 26 – 24.
Third Period:
Well, this certainly was an interesting period. Didn’t even bother trying to take notes. Ottawa earned 8 penalties and Kingston 6. I can’t bother to figure out how much 5-on-5 hockey there was – it certainly wasn’t much. Kingston came out strong for this period and had Ottawa on their heels for a good portion of it. With some good steady pressure Kingston finally pulled within 1 again just 7 minutes into the period when Matthew Kang scored on a delayed penalty call. Sciacca got the assist.
Then it got faster and this is when the bulk of the penalties were called. It all started when Michael Latta put a good hit on Wallingford in the Kingston zone. Couture followed with good hit of his own on Wallingford (?). Justin didn’t like the treatment too much and decided to slam Couture with a nasty cross check. Logan was hurt on the play and Jamie took exception and took the time to let Wallingford know. Just so you know, Justin Wallingford is listed as a 6’7” 236lb, 20 year old. Latta is a 5’11” and 187lb 16 year old, Couture 6’, 191lbs and McGinn 6’ and 200lbs. It was a short tilt between the captain and the tall guy. When all was sorted out, McGinn was assessed 2 for instigating, 5 for fighting, and a 10-minute misconduct. He left the game. Wallingford earned 5 for the cross-check, 5 for fighting and a game misconduct. Meanwhile, Logan finally got up but looked to be in a lot of pain. He left the bench for a while to be assessed.
As play resumed, the pace picked up as Kingston pressed for the tying goal. At some point Latta dropped the gloves to challenge someone to a fight but was refused. Latta was assessed an unsportsmanlike penalty. That pretty much took care of our top line.
We didn’t realize it but with about a minute left, Kingston pulled Borden for the extra attacker. Just like he played all game, Cody Lindsay broke up the Kingston passing and scored into the empty net to seal the deal.
The final score: 5 – 3 for Ottawa with shots on goal 34 – 40 for Kingston.
Random thoughts:
- This was a great game to watch. Fast, exciting, and close to the end.
Courchaine was both good and lucky. Kingston had a ton of great chances and near chances. He covered the net really well. - The Ottawa penalty kill is pretty good – let’s hope they don’t get too much practice.
The rookies are really contributing. I think Lahey will have his work cut out for him to back on to the top line. - A couple of the Ottawa power plays were outstanding. Great puck movement and player positioning.
- Paryzek is doing really well but is taking a lot of penalties. Something he will have to figure out.
- Liked seeing McGinn step up and defend his line mate. He’s playing really well. His time with the Sharks will serve the team very well.
- The Voice sure calls the game better than the guy they have in Kingston.
Three Stars – in the building:
1. Jamie McGinn (2 goals and an assist)
2. Matthew Kang (Kingston – 2 goals)
3. Cory Emmerton (Kingston – 1 goal)
Three Stars – The Team:
1. Jamie McGinn
2. Adam Courchaine
3. Matthew Kang
Hardest working 67s: Tyler Cuma
See you at the home opener next Friday!
Go 67s Go!!
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