After a disappointing game 4 loss at home, the Ottawa 67’s found themselves in a hole looking at a 3-1 series deficit. A deficit they were able to overcome in round 2, but this time it was against a team that was relatively healthy and could roll a full four lines no problem.
It was not the start Ottawa wanted. With Dalton Smith in the box for boarding, Freddie Hamilton set up Ryan Strome in the high slot and wired it past Petr Mrazek at the 2:02 mark of the first period to end his 6 game goalless drought.
Ottawa would respond with just over one minute later on the powerplay. Mark Visentin made a huge save off a Mike Cajkovsky point shot, but let out a big rebound. Sean Monahan was right in front and redirected the rebound into the back of the net.
The fans at the Gatorade Garden City Complex were treated to a nearly 20 minute delay well before the halfway mark of the game with a malfunctioning penalty box door. Perhaps the IceDogs may have caught a break, as the 67’s were starting to get back into the game with a sense of urgency. Play resumed for the 14 minute mark and Mrazek came up big stopping 17 of 19 shots fired his way in the first period as Niagara dominated the last half of the period. Freddie Hamilton added a late goal after the 67’s got caught flatfooted creating a clean breakaway and Hamilton slid the puck through the fivehole on Mrazek.
The 67’s would come out for the second period until they ran into some penalty trouble. Just as the powerplay expired, Alex Friesen would give the IceDogs a two-goal lead after tipping in a Dougie Hamilton shot from the short side. Mrazek and Visentin were solid the rest of the period.
A powerplay midway through the third period would give the 67’s some life. Tyler Toffoli fed Jake Cardwell who was all alone out front and made no mistake to tap it into a wide open net.
The 67’s caught another break as Freddie Hamilton took a bad penalty in the last two minutes. The 67’s fired everything they could at Visentin, but despite two extra attackers and the scrambles out front – the buzzer horned signalling the end of the game. The end of the series and the end of junior hockey careers for Marc Zanetti, Daniel Broussard and Mike Cazzola.
The 67’s fell 3-2 to the Ice Dogs in regulation and fall 4 games to 1 in the series. The Ice Dogs advance to the OHL Finals vs the London Knights for the first time in their club history.
OTTAWA – Petr Mrazek stop 39 shots, but it wasn’t enough as the Niagara IceDogs skated to a 5-2 victory over the host Ottawa 67’s. The win gives the IceDogs a 3-1 series lead and puts the 67’s in a must win situation Friday night at the Gatorade Garden City Complex.
Despite an early powerplay chance, the Ottawa 67’s didn’t get off to a very good start. The Niagara IceDogs did a great job of keeping the 67’s to the perimeter and limiting their chances – in fact, the 67’s had no shots and no chances in the first 6 and a half minutes of the game.
However the momentum started to change once they finally got their first shot – and it was a great chance that Mark Visentin had to be ready for. The 67’s started to produce more scoring chances with help from another 2 straight powerplay opportunity. On each end of the rink, the goaltenders were solid.
It wasn’t until the 10 minute mark of the first period that the 67’s would open the scoring. With Remy Giftopolous in the box serving a too many men on the ice penaltiy, Tyler Graovac bounced the puck of the boards in the neutral zone and beat Dougie Hamilton to the net. Dalton Smith grabbed the loose puck in the slot and wired it top shelf past Visentin.
After 20 minutes, the IceDogs outshot the 67’s 15-12.
The 67’s started to get into a bit of penalty trouble in the second period and took 3 penalties in the first 8 minutes. The Ice Dogs continued to fire shot after shot and Petr Mrazek had to come up big on several flurry of shots. While Mrazek stood on his head, the team in front of him started to collapse. After a big initial save, the puck took a weird bounce onto Andrew Agozzino’s stick. He made no mistake a tapped it in effortlessly into the opened Ottawa net.
After 40 minutes, the IceDogs outshot the 67’s 17-11 for a total of 32-23 IceDogs.
Focusing at the period at hand, the Ottawa 67’s regrouped in the 3rd period and started to look like they did in the first period. Off a great individual effort, Tyler Toffoli netted his 1st goal in 4 games. He deked out Jesse Graham, went backhand to forehand, and then slid it past Visentin to give the 67’s the go-ahead goal.
The IceDogs would respond. With only one man back, Alex Friesen catches a wide open Andrew Agozzino in the slot who makes a beautiful stickhandling move to get the puck past Mrazek. That was Agozzino’s second of the night.
Less than a minute later, the IceDogs would get their first lead of the game. From a defensive breakdown off the faceoff, Ottawa native David Pacan grabbed a hold of his rebound as it squeezed under Mrazek’s pads. This ultimately led to the 67’s collapse.
David Pacan would tally his second of the game on the powerplay beating Mrazek on a sharp angle – a goal he would like to have back.
The IceDogs would round out the scoring with an empty net goal from Freddie Hamilton. His first in 5 games since his breakout 5 point night earlier this month.
The 67’s fall 5-2 and will try to force a game 6 in Niagara Friday night. You can catch the action on the Team 1200 or Rogers Cable 22.
Brett Gustavsen scored the winning goal at the 2:09 mark in overtime to lead the Ottawa 67’s to a 4-3 victory over the visiting Barrie Colts.
The 67’s came strong out of the gate, dominating the play and outshooting the Colts 6-2 within the first 3 minutes. However, it was the Colts that drew first blood. Gregg Sutch muscled Jake Cardwell off the puck skated into opened ice and released a quick wrist shot that zoomed past Petr Mrazek and it to the net.
Continuing to put the physical pressure on the Colts, the 67’s attempted to wear down an already delpleted team. Coach Chris Byrne commented, “Yeah, that was the idea. We wanted to finish checks and did a great job of getting pucks low on their [defensemen].”
This resulted in the Colt’s losing forward Ivan Telegin after what seemed to be a harmless low hit from Steven Janes. Telegin did not return and the Colts certainly missed him.
The play continued at both ends of the ice forcing both goaltenders to make some tough saves. The 67’s wouldn’t tie it up until the halfway into the second period when Tyler Graovac found an opened Dalton Smith in the slot. Smith made no mistake and tapped it past Mathias Niederberger.
Coach Byrne praised Smith after the game, “He’s played hard. He plays the same way every night. It’s nice to see him get rewarded with that goal going to the net.”
Momentum switched and it was all Ottawa for the next twenty minutes. That was until Josh MacDonald streaked in from the right side and beat Mrazek with long shot that tipped off Cardwell’s stick. The Colts regained their 1-goal lead and sucked the atmosphere out of the J Benson Cartage Centre.
Just under 4 minutes later, Cody Ceci wired a bullet shot from the point. The puck hit Steven Janes’ stick and deflected the puck over the pad of Niederberger. This sparked new life into the 67’s and into the crowd. Niederberger stood on his head making several key saves to keep his team in it.
The 67’s then got a break. With 1:05 remaining in a tied game, the Colts were caught with too many men on the ice as Gregg Sutch was sent to serve it. With 25 seconds left in the third period, Toffoli fed the puck into the slot where Monahan shot it past a screened Neiderberger.
It was all but over.
Something remarkable happened. With 8.7 seconds left in the period and 16 seconds after the 67’s go-ahead goal, Mark Scheifele bats the puck out of mid-air and Mrazek had no chance.
“It was a tough break, you know. We got the puck on a stick, it hit the glass in the air and came back up in front of the net. It was a tough tough break you know,” Coach Byrne commented on the play.
It was now a tied game and headed for overtime.
Both teams came out firing, but it was the 67’s that were the last standing. Just over two minutes into the extra frame, Brett Gustavsen shoots the puck on the sharp angle and the puck squeaked past Neiderberger for the win.
“There was a shift before too. Everyone was going to the net, everyone was working hard. And that’s what happens you know, when you get momentum out there you’re going to score goals and that’s what we did,” said Gustavsen commenting on his big game winning goal.
What does Coach Byrne think of the rookie forward?
“There’s no quit to him. Sometimes it’s to his own detriment, but most of the time it helps us a ton and he had a great first year here. That’s for sure.”
The 67’s stormed back from a 3-1 series deficit and won the series in 7. All credit to the 67’s as they slowly took the series game by game, one shift at a time and were rewarded by forcing a game 6 and later a game 7. It was a roller coaster of a series and this game summed it up.
“We got work to do, so we’ll get at it right now for sure … They’re a good team, so we’ll have to be ready for them on Friday night,” comments Coach Byrne regarding the win and facing the Niagara Ice Dogs in the Eastern Conference finals.
The 2012 OHL Priority Selection took place this afternoon. Here is a review of the Ottawa 67’s pick…
ROUND ONE: 18th overall
Dante Salituro
2011-12 Team: Don Mills Flyers Position: Centre Ht: 5.09 Wt: 170 lbs D.O.B.: 11/15/1996 Hometown: Willowdale, ON
GP G A PTS PIM
30 47 44 91 62
Scouting Report: Dante is one of most pure goal scorers in the draft. He has a knack for the net and doesn’t miss on many of his scoring chances. He scores goals in many different ways whether it’s a one timer on the powerplay, using his speed to beat some or driving the net for a rebound or pass. He possesses one of the best shots in the GTHL. It’s accurate and hard and he releases it very quickly as well. Since he is a smaller forward with a very strong base he is hard to knock off the puck in the corners. Dante is an explosive skater and is very quick off the start. (via OHL Central Scouting Bureau)
From HockeyProspect.com:
Dante Salituro has proven he can be a game changer at the minor midget level, and a player to watch out for next year should he choose to make the jump to the OHL. Although he’s a little undersized, Dante is very strong. He has plenty of skill and has shown a willingness to compete. He has a great release on his shot, and his ability to finish is among the best in this draft class. He is speedy as well as very agile, and can elude defenders one on one fairly easily. Hp’s Laura Barney caught up to Dante at the OHL Cup and spoke to him about the draft.
What some people have to say about him:
RT @SeanLafortune And its Salituro. Best finisher in the draft in my opition. Going to be a Christian Thomas type of player #OHLDraft
RT @RyanHPscout Ottawa 67’s select F Dante Salituro from Don Mills Flyers. Dante is very small for a 1st rounder (5’7″) but plenty of offensive talent..
RT @HockeyOps Salituro had 10pts in 4GP at the OHL Cup this year. Exciting to add a player this skilled to the 67’s Organization.
Jonathan Duchesne 2011-12 Team: Vaughan Kings Position: Defense Ht: 6.00 Wt: 200 lbs D.O.B.: 2/12/1996 Hometeam: Brampton, ON
GP G A PTS PIM
36 3 17 20
Scouting Report: Jonathan is a big stay at home defensemen that is very effective when he keeps his game simple. He makes a good first pass breaking out of his own end and has a very heavy shot from the point that usually finds the net. Jonathan is a very physical defensemen. He does a good puck of separating the man from the puck and is not shy to try for the big open ice hit as well. Jonathan is a very competitive player and he plays better in the bigger games. (via OHL Central Scouting Bureau)
From Top Shelf Scouting: Jonathan was a member of the 2010 champion Toronto Titans MM Prospect team, was selected to the ‘All-Star N.A. Team’ at the Summer International Selects Invitational in Munich and played on the 2009/10 GTHL Regular Season Champions. Also in 2009/10, he was a Silver Stick champion and was selected to the SS All-Star team. At school, Jonathan is an Honours student and was named the Athlete of the Year in 2009. He was also named MVP of his school hockey team.
From his interview: He sees him as a tough guy and likes to play like Dion Phaneuf,
RT @RyanHPscout Ottawa Jr. 67’s select D Jonathan Duchesne. Jonathan is an interesting pick. Didn’t progress much but has great size, and good potential
ROUND 3: 16th pick, 59th overall
Andrew Abou-Assaly
2011-12 Team: Ottawa Jr. 67’s Position: Left Wing Ht: 5.10 Wt: 157 lbs D.O.B.: 5/18/1996 Hometown: Ottawa, ON
GP G A PTS PIM
38 34 44 78 81
Scouting Report: Andrew is a true goal scorer and has done it all seson, in league play and at tournaments. He has very good one on one skills and uses his speed and elvusiveness to beat the opposition. Andrew shoots the puck very well and is also able to shoot while moving his feet which not many players at this age can do. Andrew does a great job at getting open and finding space in the offensive zone where his teammates can find him. He competes hard in the offensive zone and does things with the puck that will get him to the next level. (via OHL Central Scouting Bureau)
Notes: He completed at 2012 OHL Cup, he’s not afraid to be physical, he sees himself more of a finesse player and has been working on shot. He likes to set up the play. Was named the ODMHA Player of the Year at the OHL Cup.
RT @RyanHPscout Ottawa 67’s select local F Andrew Abou-Assaly from the Jr. 67’s program. Andrew is good with and without the puck, and gets to stay home.
This was a very close battle all season long. All four games were decided by 1 goal with the exception to the third game of the regular season series where Ottawa netted a late insurance goal for a 2 goal win.
Nov 18/11 Barrie 6 @ Ottawa 5, OT
Dec 17/11 Ottawa 6 @ Barrie 4
Jan 28/12 Ottawa 1 @ Barrie 2
Feb 24/12 Barrie 5 @ Ottawa 4, SO
The two teams match up very well from top to bottom including goal differential. Both have great firepower, but lack the same level of talent on the blueline. Ottawa’s depth at scoring could become a determining factor.
The top performers during the regular season between these two clubs are as follows. With Tanner Pearson out with an injury, the Colts will look to Telegin, Behenna and Sheifele to fill Pearson’s vacant role. Toffoli has performed well so far in these playoffs, but the likes of Shane Prince and Dalton Smith have a lot of room to improve.
Tanner Pearson- 3 goals, 7 points in 3 games
Ivan Telegin- 4 goals, 5 points in 4 games
Colin Behenna- 3 goals, 5 points in 4 games
Mark Sheifele-1 goal, 5 points in 3 games
Tyler Toffoli- 4 goals, 7 points in 4 games
Shane Prince-3 goals, 4 points in 3 games
Dalton Smith- 2 goals, 4 points in 4 games
LINEUP CHANGES
Barrie’s Tanner Pearson will likely miss the remainder of the playoffs after breaking his fibula early in the final game of the regular season. The Colts are also unsure about centre Zach Hall who has been out with a concussion since game 2 vs Mississauga.
After sitting 5 games for a pre-game spearing incident, Ottawa Captain Marc Zanetti is eligible return for game 1 of this series. Joining Zanetti will be Daniel Broussard who was sitting the full first round series with an injury. These two additions will help solidify the Ottawa defense back to how it was this regular season.
SPECIALTY TEAMS
The 67’s powerplay has suffered, but they are still up 5% from the regular season. Their penalty continues to be strong up 1.4% from the regular season. Meanwhile the Colts stats have gone down from their series with the Mississauga Majors – down from 22.7% on the powerplay and 75.0% on the penalty kill.
Ottawa Barrie
PP- 25.0% PP- 17.6%
PK- 82.4% PK- 75.0%
FORWARDS
With Pearson out, the Colts will rely on the other three big guns to fill the void left by him. Overage captain Colin Behenna was paired with World Junior and Winnipeg Jet standout Mark Scheifele. The two players complement each other. Behenna’s hard work and Scheifele’s hockey sense and playmaking skills have helped them become solid forces to beat on the Colts. Ivan Telegin is another Colt that had an impressive regular season. He represented Russia in the World Juniors and is also a prospect of the Winnipeg Jets. He started off slow, but really turned things around once he returned from the tournament finishing 64 points in 46 games.
Tyler Toffoli, Shane Prince and Sean Monahan were the three top standouts in terms of offensive production for the 67’s. While Prince and Monahan have shown some flashes of brilliance, Toffoli has stolen the show with 9 points in 6 games. Monahan has some great moves, but has not been able to finish. It seems as if the loss of newly acquired centreman John McFarland has added some extra pressure on Monahan’s role. If Prince and Monahan can find their game, they will be hard to beat. Add in Dalton Smith and Tyler Graovac (two players who have put up the points before) and the depth is just that much stronger than the Colts.
The skill and speed of the forwards are interchangeable on both sides.
DEFENCEMAN
It is a young defense on the Colts that have been taken advantage of in the past. Aaron Ekblad has arguably been one of Barrie’s best defenseman. This young underaged player has logged high minutes and been put in important situations (PP & PK) by his coach. He needs to work on his consistency to stay effective in this series. His d-parter, Reid McNeill has also been a standout this season. He has also been places in key situations and has more importantly been a mentor for Ekblad.
The 67’s blueline is relatively young and inexperienced like the Colts. The team really suffered when the lost both Zanetti and Broussard for the first round. The 67’s relied heavily on Cody Ceci, Jake Cardwell and Sean Callaghan. Cody Ceci has had an outstanding year. This draft prospect has rose to the challenge and has a key role with quarterbacking the powerplay. Jake Cardwell has also shown some great skill and work ethic.
The two teams match up well with defense… as long as they can both stay healthy.
GOALTENDING
Mathias Niederberger was the early favorite for starting goaltender after a strong camp. Alike the rest of his club, but started to struggle in late October. After appearing in the recent World Juniors (Division 1-A) and being awarded the tournament’s best goaltender, things started to turn around. He hasn’t been outstanding in the playoffs but has played well enough to win.
Petr Mrazek been coasting most of the season. A few bad games, a few great game – but ultimately gave Ottawa a chance to win on any given night. He struggled with the Barrie Colts this season losing both games – one in OT and one in a SO. His play in the post-season has been mediocre to great. He started to come back to form in the last two games after helping Ottawa close out their first round series in 6 games.
Because of Mrazek’s previous experience with OHL playoffs and the World Juniors – the difference in this series could come down to goaltending & Mrazek could potentially steal this series.
COACHING
Chris Byrne has been with the 67’s since the 2006-07 OHL season. Byrne took over as head coach in 2009. He has consistently coach his team to a top spot in the OHL Eastern Conference standings. Unfortunately, playoffs have not been the strongest point. Of the five years with the 67’s, this is only the second time the 67’s have made it past the first round.
On the other end, Dale Hawerchuk is only entering his second OHL season. Barrie did not make the playoffs last season and has since rebuilt into a contender this season. His first OHL playoff experience is now.
Friday, April 6, 2012 in Ottawa, 7:00pm (Rogers Sportsnet)
Sunday, April 8, 2012 in Ottawa, 2:00pm (Rogers 22)
Tuesday, April 10, 2012 in Barrie, 7:30pm (Rogers 22)
Thursday, April 12, 2012 in Barrie, 7:30pm (Rogers 22)
Friday, April 13, 2012 in Ottawa, 7:30pm (Rogers 22) **if necessary
Sunday, April 15, 2012 in Barrie, 7:30pm (Rogers 22) **if necessary
Tuesday, April 17, 2012 in Ottawa, 7:00pm (Rogers Sportsnet) **if necessary
kathrynajean
Highlight of the Night 