Philippe Trudeau made 35 stops in his OHL debut, but narrowly missed making a desperation save on Plymouth rookie Victor Cruz Rydberg with 1:34 left in the third period, as the 67’s dropped their second in a row, 4-2 on Friday night.
Cruz Rydberg’s first career goal held up as the game winner for the Whalers’ first win of the season.
“I didn't see it when it bounced off our defenceman,” said Trudeau about the winning goal. “It was a good lucky shot, I didn't see the puck go to my left, when I saw it it was already too late.”
The winning goal was the first even-strength goal Ottawa allowed, having gone two-for-eight on the penalty kill.
“It's a lesson for us to learn, you take that many minors and you're just tiring yourself out,” said Chris Byrne. “I like our energy, our enthusiasm and how we're playing hard, we're just getting a little bit too wound up, and composure is something our guys need.”
Trudeau, who was called in the second period for playing the puck in the restricted zone, felt as though the number of penalties disturbed the flow of the game.
“I don't think this game shows how our team plays, there were a lot of penalties,” added the newcomer. “We have a good group, we have what it takes to win games.”
“I should have read the rules on that stupid penalty,” he said in regards to the delay of game call. “But there are no excuses, it was my mistake.”
Carter Sandlak and Ryan Hartman scored on the powerplay for Plymouth, giving them a 2-1 lead late in the second.
Dante Salituro, who assisted on Brendan Bell’s first period opening goal, added a goal of his own less than a minute after Hartman’s goal to tie the game.
Hartman added an empty netter in the final seconds.
After scoring the first goal of the game, Bell tried to get some energy into the 2,645 in attendance with a toe-to-toe scrap against Connor Sills.
Sills later threw a questionable check to the head on Trevor Dulong, before dropping the gloves with John Urbanic.
“He's doing well, he didn't leave the game or anything,” added Byrne on Dulong’s status after the hit. “He's a tough kid, so it was good to see him bounce back.”
“He played well with not a lot of minutes with all the penalties, but I thought he played well and has practiced hard.”
Ottawa didn’t get a powerplay as a result of the hit to the head, but were unable to register a goal in seven powerplay opportunities on the night.
Jonathan Duchesne played his first game of the season after sitting out a two-game suspension last weekend.
“It was good to have him back, he's a good strong defenceman that played some big minutes, especially on the penalty kill tonight,” said Byrne.
The 67’s take on Niagara at home on Sunday before wrapping up their homestand Tuesday against Sault Ste. Marie.
Game sheet can be found here.
Assorted Notes:
- Trudeau played tonight with his Val D'Or Foreurs mask, but hopes it won't be needed for long with a 67's mask on the way. "It's coming, I already chose my design, I'm pretty excited about that."
- On coming to the OHL and Ottawa, the overage netminder says it was unexpected, but that he likes it. "I'm happy how it turned out, I'm proud to be here and hope to get some wins now."
- Adrian Sloboda had the lowest +/- rating of anyone on Ottawa tonight but had his best game physically. He was more willing to absorb hits and threw a big hipcheck on Zach Lorentz late in the second. He and partner Alex Lintuniemi have work to do, but the 67's import draft class of 2013 is looking great so far.
Hardest Working 67's: Brendan Bell
Some pictures from the game:
Phillppe Trudeau's debut as an Ottawa 67's.
Brendan Bell's first goal of the season.
John Urbanic taking issue with Sills' hit to Trevor Dulong's noggin'.
Click here to see more pictures.
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