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Ottawa 67's

Steelheads Take Stranglehold on Series with 6-4 Win

March 31, 2017 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Ottawa 67's News Release


OTTAWA - Leaning on their top two lines, the Mississauga Steelheads rode a Nathan Bastian hat trick and a two-point game from Michael McLeod to a 6-4 win in game four of the eastern conference quarterfinal series against the Ottawa 67's.

On Ottawa's side, Noel Hoefenmayer and Austen Keating led the offence. Each had three points, with Keating tallying two goals. Ottawa's feisty effort offensively couldn't translate into a win, however, and they are now trailing the Steelheads 3-1 in their best-of-seven series.

The game was a spirited affair, with the two teams combining for 46 minutes in penalties.

Jeff Brown, head coach and general manager of the 67's, says his team showed a lot of desperation.

"Every time we got close, something else would happen," he said. "It's really frustrating. It is what it is, the game is the game. Our guys battled, I'm proud of them and we competed to the end."

Brown said 67's captain Travis Barron was injured in an incident during the second period, and his status for game five in Mississauga is "not good."

"It's an opportunity for other guys to step up, fill the role," said Brown. "We're excited about the opportunity to win a huge game five."

It was a similar story to the beginning of game three - both teams played a structured, defensive battle waiting for the other to make the first mistake. It didn't come in the first period, with the 67's and Steelheads playing to a scoreless tie through the first frame.

The best chance of the period came off a blast from the line by Peter Stratis, when the glove of Jacob Ingham stopped Zack Dorval's rebound shot. The 16-year-old stopped nine shots, even with Leo Lazarev's nine.

However, it was a quick start for the Steelheads in the second. For the second straight game, they scored under 30 seconds into the middle frame for the game's first goal, coming off the stick of McLeod.

Bastian got Mississauga's second of the game, outwaiting Lazarev for an open left side and a 2-0 lead at 4:06 of the second. The Steelheads scored their third of the game at the halfway mark of the period, with Vili Saarijarvi firing it home on the man advantage after David Pearce took a cross checking minor.

Ottawa wouldn't go down without a fight in the second. After allowing three goals, the 67's fired home one of their own at 14:44. Keating took a sweet pass from Mathieu Foget on the left side of the net, and buried a one-time shot passed Ingham to break the shut out.

Mississauga added another before the end of the period to make the score 4-1, then Ottawa found the back of the net with two quick goals in the third.

First, Foget got his second assist of the game by feeding Hoefenmayer, then Patrick White springed himself on a shorthanded breakaway and made no mistake, burying it to cut the Ottawa deficit to one goal.

Mississauga would respond under a minute later, with McLeod scoring on a deflection in front of the net. Both teams added one more tally each, to make the final score 6-4.

Season ticket holders can lock down their location with their preferred pricing, by calling their 67's sales representative. The 67's prospects program will continue in the playoffs. All minor hockey players part of the 67's Prospect Program presented by Enercare get in for FREE. For more information on the 67's Prospect Program click here .

Visit the 67's website, or call our box office to purchase your tickets today.

Tickets for all Ottawa 67's home games are available at Ottawa67s.com, calling 613.232.6767 X1, or in person at The Box Office at TD Place.

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