Battalion double up 67's 4-2

On December 19, 1998, the Ottawa 67's made their first appearance to the (then-called) Brampton Centre. Ben Gustavson scored the game winner in a 4-3 defeat over the Brampton Battalion. Fast forward 16 seasons later and the score is nearly flipped. Embrum native Francis Menard scored the game winner in a 4-2 victory over the visiting 67's in their final visit ever to the Powerade Centre.



The Battalion now lead the season series 2 games to 1, pretty close to their all-time record. In 16 season, the 67's won 12, lost 11, tied 1, and lost 2 in the shootout vs the Battalion. The two teams also met once in the playoffs. It was a hard fought series, but the Battalion came up on top winning it in 7 games. That was in 2003-04. The two teams meet for the final time in Ottawa on March 12th.

Despite the score, it was a pretty close game this afternoon. Jacob Blair gave the 67's every chance to win, but unfortunately it was not enough.

Barclay Woodrow opened the scoring 6 minutes into the game on the powerplay as he redirected Menard's shot past Blair and into the Ottawa net.

Six minutes later, the 67's responded. Brett Gustavsen fed the puck to Sean Monahan who was in the slot and slapped behind Matej Machovsky on his glove side.

Matt MacLeod would regain the Battalion's one goal lead after he tipped in a Zach Bell bullet shot from the point. The puck made it's way through traffic and into the back of the Ottawa net with 15 seconds left in their powerplay. The Battalion converted on 2/5 powerplays. While the 67's converted on 1/5. Shots were 11-5 Brampton after 1.

The Battalion's motto tonight must have been "good things happen when you shoot pucks at the net". Another tip in front by Francis Menard beat Blair fivehole to give the Battalion a two goal lead less than five minutes into the second (game winner).

Set up in the high slot on the powerplay, Woodrow misplays a pass. Joseph Blandisi took advantage of the loose puck and darted into the Battalion zone beating Brendan Miller and wiring the puck top shelf behind Machovsky to get the 67's within one. Shots were 25-12 Brampton after 2.

Former Ottawa 67, Nicholas Foglia would round out the scoring with his 10th of the season to snap a 3 game Battalion losing skid and to hand the 67's their 9th straight loss.

The 67's are back on the road Wednesday night to face the redhot Belleville Bulls for the final time this season.