Ottawa 67's Edge the Oshawa Generals

The Oshawa Generals don't look like a team that is fighting for a playoff spot and and they certainly had their chances but the 67's managed to hang on for a win over the energetic Oshawa Generals. Both goalies made several key saves and had a bit of luck too.


Missing two key defensemen, Jake Cardwell (groin) and Cody Ceci (back), Taylor Fielding found himself back to the blue line. The Generals were missing 40-point man Boone Jenner (upper body).

After a scoreless first period, where momentum went back and forth, it was Sean Monahan who finally beat Bailie near the half-way mark to open the scoring. It was a beautiful passing play that started in the defensive zone with a huge stretch pass from Sean Callaghan that hit McFarland at the Oshawa blue line. Two strides in, he spotted Monahan driving the net and taking a sharp pass Monahan slipped it past the glove hand of Bailie.

The lead lasted all of a minute and change as Oshawa's Christian Thomas, tied for scoring lead on his team was left all alone in the slot where he took a pass from 2012 NHL prospect Scott Laughton from the corner and buried it passed Mrazek.

The 67's struggled with sustaining possession for the first half of the third but they eventually picked up the pace and not surprisingly the scoreboard showed the results. Shane Prince broke the tie when he picked up Mike Vlajkov's rebound and quickly knocked it past Bailie. Steven Janes gave the 67's a two-goal lead on Ottawa's only power play goal doing the dirty work at the front of the net. Dalton Smith and big Mike Cajkovsky with the assists. Big goal from the blue collar players.

With under 2 1/2 minutes to play, Daniel Broussard was called for holding giving Oshawa one more power play which they turned into a two-man advantage with about 1:25 left in the game. Nicklas Jensen gave his team hope with his power play goal with 39 seconds left in the game.

After eventually gaining possession, the Gens pulled their goalie again and pressed hard for the tying goal. But Mrazek grabbed the puck as the buzzer sounded to preserve the regulation win.

Click here for the game sheet.




Three Stars as Selected by the Team1200



Hardest Working 67's: Mike Vlajkov:

Random Thoughts from Behind the Lens:

• John McFarland notched his 50th point of the season on the opening goal.
  
• While there were a few good hits, it really wasn't an overly physical affair.
  
• The officiating calls were a bit cheezy but they were cheezy both ways.
  
• Jake Cardwell thinks he'll be back next weekend. Hopefully Ceci will be too. Not only are they solid on the blue line, they have 75 points between them.
  
• Remy Giftopolous was on the right wing with Prince and Cazzola. A great opportunity for him.
  

Photos from the game:
 One of many great saves by Mrazek    
Click here to see more photos from the game.