67's Draw First Blood with 8-5 Win over Wolves
April 5, 2019 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Ottawa 67's News Release
OTTAWA - A few more people than usual may be looking for new hats but the Ottawa 67's are up 1-0 in the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals thanks to an exciting 8-5 win over the Sudbury Wolves.
Tye Felhaber made up for lost time after being held scoreless in Round 1 as the always-dangerous overager picked up a hat trick with his first three goals of the OHL playoffs. Not to be outdone, fellow overager Lucas Chiodo chimed in with three goals of his own as the experienced duo put the team on their backs in this one.
In front of a rowdy crowd of 6,441, the 67's struck first midway through the first period before the Wolves tied it up with less than three minutes to go in the opening frame. From there on out, it was essentially Ottawa's game.
Kevin Bahl and Sam Bitten, both with their first goals of the post-season, also scored the 67's, with Bitten's goal chasing Sudbury goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen from the Wolves goal. Kyle Maksimovich, with four assists, and Noel Hoefenmayer, with three helpers, were also firing on all cylinders in this one.
The 67's and Wolves will go at it again on Sunday afternoon, with Game 2 of the best-of-seven series set for 2 p.m. at The Arena at TD Place.
What they're saying
Andre Tourigny, 67's Head Coach
"That's playoffs, you never know. They pushed back after we took a good lead and we came back. It showed two good teams playing against each other. They're a good team and tonight we found a way to score big goals. We'll have to tighten up defensively and they will as well. No way we're going to 40-plus shots every game."
Tye Felhaber, 67's forward
"Whenever you put an eight in against a good defensive team like that, you can't complain. It felt good (to score), you saw the expression on my face. As a goal-scorer you want to go scores obviously, so it was nice to get that monkey off my back. I got a little greedy there but I saw my fellow (overager) Lucas Chiodo get a hat trick so I thought I'd get one too."
Game notes
In five games this season, Friday's game was the fourth time the 67's have scored at least five goals and the second time they have scored eight or more.
Tye Felhaber, who had three goals on the night, also led the way with eight shots while Noel Hoefenmayer, who had three assists, finished with five shots, as did Lucas Chiodo (3G, 1A)
Sasha Chmelevski led the way in the face-off circle, winning 15 of 21 draws.
The 67's have now won five-consecutive games to open the 2019 OHL playoffs.
Each team scored once on three powerplay chances.
Ontario Hockey League Stories from April 5, 2019
- London Takes Game One over Guelph - London Knights
- Spirit Score Series Opening Victory over Hounds - Soo Greyhounds
- 67's Draw First Blood with 8-5 Win over Wolves - Ottawa 67's
- Spirit Take Bite out of the Hounds in Game One - Saginaw Spirit
- Robertson Scores Winner in Thrilling 3-2 Overtime Win - Niagara IceDogs
- Harley and Washkurak Earn Spots on Canada's Under-18 Training Camp Roster - Brampton Steelheads
- OHL Priority Selection Presented by Real Canadian Superstore - Soo Greyhounds
- Priority Selection All Set - North Bay Battalion
- Firebirds to Pick 2nd-Overall in 2019 OHL Draft Saturday - Flint Firebirds
- OHL to Honour the Memory of Roy Pejcinovski in 2019 Priority Selection - OHL
- Petes Swap Picks with Otters Ahead of 2019 OHL Priority Selection - Peterborough Petes
- Preview: After Six Day Break, Spirit Host Greyhounds to Open Round Two - Saginaw Spirit
- Frontenacs Make "Wright" Choice with First Overall Pick - Kingston Frontenacs
- Frontenacs Announce Shane Wright as First Overall Pick in the 2019 OHL Priority Selection - OHL
- Kitchener Rangers and Niagara IceDogs Complete Trade - Kitchener Rangers
- OHL Announces 2018-19 Awards Finalists - OHL
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
