Four Goals in Last Ten Minutes Sink 67's

The Kingston Frontenacs were able to come from behind with four goals in the last ten minutes to knock off the Ottawa 67’s in yet another high-scoring affair between the two teams, this time by a score of 7-5.  Kingston forward Ryan Kujawinski had three goals, two of them coming in the third period. 

“You can’t give him open looks,” Chris Byrne said of the game’s first star.  “He was all by himself at the net twice today and he made good plays when he was there. “

The visitors seemed deflated after Mike Vlajkov beat Mike Morrison with a slap shot from just outside the blueline to give Ottawa a 5-3 lead, but Kujawinski’s third of the night kicked off the comeback.  Henri Ikonen scored on the powerplay to tie the game, Luke Hietkamp gave Kingston the lead and Ikonen added an empty netter.

Kingston didn’t do themselves any favours in the first two periods before their comeback, as a number of miscues lead to great chances the other way.  Sean Monahan opened the scoring four and a half minutes in after Ryan Hutchinson gave the puck away right in front of his own net.

The Frontenacs also found themselves in plenty of penalty trouble, but Ottawa failed to convert on six of their seven attempts with the man advantage. 

While on the powerplay and trailing 2-1 early in the second, Cody Ceci scored on an individual effort, the first of three consecutive Ottawa markers in the middle frame. 

Jonathan Duchesne decisively beat Kingston’s Mitchell Fitzmorris in a toe-to-toe fight, which seemed to further light a fire under the 67’s.  Steven Janes scored a highlight reel goal shortly thereafter, dancing around three defenders and squeaking a backhander passed Morrisson.  Trevor Dulong extended Ottawa’s lead by deflecting in Andrew Abou-Assaly’s shot for his first career OHL goal. 

“I thought we played really well through two periods and then we started getting off track,” added Byrne.  “I thought 5-on-5, we played well in the first two periods, and in the third period, we didn't.  We gave up the puck a lot and gave up chances we didn't need to give up.”

Kujawinski scored Kingston’s first goal of the night and their first goal in the third period.  Mikko Vainonen also tallied, and Morrison made 34 saves in a winning effort.  Jacob Blair made 33 in the loss.

These two teams head to Kingston where they’ll play the back half of their home-and-home tomorrow afternoon.  Byrne believes that if they have the same effort through 60 minutes tomorrow as they had through 40 today, they’ll have success.  “We played two solid periods here; we have to play three the same way.”

The game sheet can be found here.

Assorted Notes:

• Although fans will be happy with the 67’s ability to put the puck in the net, the majority of their goals are coming off of individual efforts.  Assuming they sell at the deadline, the players scoring on individual efforts won’t be there.  They need to find a better way to set plays up, especially on the powerplay.
• The urgency level doesn’t seem to be high enough late in games where Ottawa trails.  On December 12, they sat back and let Belleville kill the clock in a 2-0 loss.  In this game, they allowed Kingston to easily cycle the puck for a two-minute span late in regulation.
• Although the Duchesne fight seemed to put an end to the rough stuff, this game was quite chippy in the first two periods.  Brendan Bell took an unnecessary cheap shot at the bench from Warren Steele in the second, and Taylor Davis dropped the gloves with Jean Dupuy in the first.
• Kingston head coach Todd Gill wasn’t pleased with the officiating, in particular referee Dave Gauthier.  After having choice words for Gauthier in the team’s 5-2 loss to Peterborough, he had trouble with the official again, chatting with him for a full two minutes at the end of the second period.  He also picked up a bench minor after Steele’s hit from behind on Bell.

Random Thoughts from Behind the Lens:

• No 3-stars slide show tonight.  The two Kingston players didn't come out for the honours and Ceci didn't look very happy so I will forgo putting his picture up.
• This is a game they could have won.  No excuses for the outcome.
• Monahan's goal was really a nice play from Fielding (who celebrates his 19th birthday tomorrow - happy birthday Taylor)
• Quite the full house with plenty of teams from the Bell Capital Cup attending.  I heard it was over 7600 in attendance.  Lots of noise when there are so many kids.  Nothing like a high-scoring game to keep them entertained.
• Thanks to Chris the equipment manager for giving us the Barber Poll unis for the last game of 2012.  Those are great looking unis.
• Who knew that such an angelic-looking kid like Duchesne could be such a beast in a fight.  That was no contest. 
• Well, that closes out 2012.  Hope everyone enjoys a great New Year's Eve and best wishes for health and happiness for 2013.  See you all next year!

Some pictures from the game:

 

Hardest Working 67's as selected by the Team1200: Steven Janes

 

Trevor Dulong scored his first OHL goal tonight.

Jonathan Duchesne destroys Mitchell Fitzmorris

 

Is it just or is Codi Ceci beginning to look like a grizzled veteran?

Click here to see more pictures from the game.