Another Three-Goal Collapse Costs 67's

After allowing three goals in 96 seconds on Friday night in a losing effort, the Ottawa 67's suffered a similar fate on Monday as the Brampton Battalion scored three times in 126 seconds, before holding on to take a 5-3 decision.

Zach Bell and Matt MacLeod tallied 22 seconds apart early in the third to break a 2-2 tie, and Barclay Goodrow scored his second goal of the afternoon to give the visitors a three-goal advantage.

Ryan Van Stralen cut the lead to two on the powerplay, but that was as close as Ottawa would get.

"We played well for 45 minutes today, last game we had about 36 minutes of solid hockey," said Chris Byrne.  "It's about getting a 60-minute game where we don't have a lapse and we don't break down in our own zone."

Goodrow opened the scoring on the powerplay in the first period before Sergey Kuptsov beat three defenders and Battalion netminder Matej Machovsky on one-man rush to tie the game.

Joseph Blandisi gave the 67's their only lead of the game, getting hauled down by Brampton's Nick Paul on a breakaway, and then beating Machovsky on the ensuing penalty shot despite fanning on the shot.  Brandon Robinson brought Brampton to even with a long shot on the powerplay.

For the third time in ten days, a former Barberpole and a member of the 67's 2009 draft class returned to Ottawa as a member of the opposition, as Nicholas Foglia faced off against a number of his old teammates.

"It was definitely a different experience," said Foglia, who unlike Remy Giftopoulos and Tyler Graovac last weekend, was unable to get on the scoresheet in his return.  "I love this city and I love the team I used to play on."

"We're definitely not used to this rink, so it was a change.  I hope it's all for the better for the 67's."

Jacob Blair continues to get starts for Ottawa, making 42 stops this afternoon.  Machovsky had 25 saves at the other end.

"I thought there were some great saves," added Byrne.  "He made a great stop at the end.  He faced a lot of shots and our guys have to play well in front of him."

The 67's seven-game homestand has now come to an end as they travel to Oshawa and Belleville this week before hosting the Bulls next Sunday.

Game sheet can be found here.

Assorted Notes:

• Top prospect Sean Day mentioned on Twitter that his career in Minor Midget was coming to an end, hinting that he would be granted exceptional status into the OHL next season.  With the 67's eight points behind 19th-place Erie, it appears as though his chances of coming to the Nation's Capital are rising.
• It wasn't that the 67's were playing a selfish game by any means, but their best opportunities came on individual efforts.  Brampton's defence, always tough to play against, forced the 67's to try and deke through several defenders on numerous occasions.  Kuptsov pulled it off successfully in the first, but the Battalion played a solid road game.
• Blandisi had another hard-working game, drawing penalties, scoring the goal and dropping the gloves with Dylan Blujus late in the second period. 
• All three members of Ottawa's top line went down briefly in this game before returning.  Van Stralen appeared to hurt his shoulder on the first shift of the game, Sean Monahan took a shot off the foot and Blandisi went down late in the second.  Jonathan Duchesne, who started the game on defence, was also favouring his right leg in the second, but didn't miss a shift.

Three Stars as Selected by the Team1200

 

  

Hardest Working 67's: Sergey Kupstov 

Random Thoughts from Behind the Lens:

• Outcome notwithstanding, this was a pretty good game to watch most of the time.  Some speed, physicality and several oooh-ahhh moments.  Once again the 67's had a number of scoring chances that just didn't go their way. 
• Blandisi was all over the ice all game.  Chasing down pucks, chasing down the opposition, speeding into the offensive zone.  Came back after going down with an injury.  Hard work all all the time.  Great addition to the team.  He could smile more.  Reminds me of Cazzola last year - think I had one picture of him smiling from his time here. 
• Sergey Kupstov's goal was a beauty.  Too bad the referee got in the way of a great photo. 
• It was good seeing Nick Foglia again.  Liked him while he was here - nice kid.

Some pictures from the game:

   

Jon Duchesne with a shot from the point. 

 

Joseph Blandisi with his jets on to beat the icing call...which he did. 

Brendan Bell getting mugged in front of the Brampton goalie during an Ottawa PP. 

Click here to see more pictures from the game.