Ottawa 67s Fan Report: Frontenacs Chase Wilson, win 7-5

Despite another two-goal performance from Tyler Graovac, the Kingston Frontenacs young attack was too much for the Barberpoles to handle, as they chased Keegan Wilson from the net for the second time in a ten day span en route to a 7-4 win on Tuesday night.

Wilson stopped 20 of 25 shots in the first 40 minutes before getting pulled in exchange for Jacob Blair, who made six saves in relief. Mike Morrison made 31 stops for the Frontenacs, who move two points ahead of the 67's for the eighth spot in the Eastern Conference.

With only two powerplays, Ottawa had a harder time sustaining their biggest source of offence from their recent streak of wins. "Our powerplay's bailed us out, so we need to be better 5-on-5 and generate more chances 5-on-5," said Chris Byrne after the game.

Graovac scored a pair of goals in just over three minutes in the first period to erase a 1-0 deficit. Kingston would answer back with four goals after Graovac's pair, markers from Mitch Fitzmorris, Cody Alcock, Warren Steele and Trevor Morbeck, to take a 5-2 advantage in the second period.

Andrew Abou-Assaly scored his first career goal late in the second period to bring Ottawa back into the game, and Michal Cajkovsky brought the home side within one in the third, but that's as close as they would get.

Spencer Watson picked up an Ottawa turnover and beat Blair to re-gain Kingston's two-goal advantage. Marc Beckstead added an empty netter to seal the game. Ryan Kujawinski had the opening goal for Kingston.

Once again, the 67's miss a chance to pull ahead of the Frontenacs and into a temporary playoff spot. They remain three points ahead of the last-place Peterborough Petes.

Ottawa continues this homestand with games on Friday and Saturday against the Saginaw Spirit and Belleville Bulls respectively.

Three Stars as Selected by the Team1200

Hardest Working 67's: Andrew Abou-Assaly

Hardest Working 67's as selected by the Team1200: Andrew Abou-Assaly

Assorted notes:

It appears as though eight goals is what Ottawa needs to beat Kingston, with their two wins over their divisional rivals being 8-7 and 8-6 respectively this year.
At times throughout the night, Ottawa had to dress a full forward line of natural defencemen Jonathan Duchesne, Nevin Guy and Matthieu Desautels. "It's tough when we have three forwards out. Those guys are working hard and trying hard, they're not natural forwards obviously, but they're doing the best they can," stated Byrne.
Guy appeared to join Abou-Assaly in scoring his first career goal, but the referee waived it off, claiming that the third period had ended. The goal looked to be scored before the horn went, but there was little protest from the home side.
There was no animosity towards Mike Moffat of the Frontenacs who was ejected ten days ago for a check to the head on Jake Cardwell. Moffat received another head checking penalty tonight, but a far less severe hit and penalty.

Some pictures from the game: