OHL Ottawa 67's

67's Fall 4-1 to Niagara

Published on February 22, 2016 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Ottawa 67's News Release


The Ottawa 67's came up just short Monday night despite another strong effort, falling 4-1 to a stacked Niagara IceDogs team that loaded up at the OHL trade deadline.

Hosting the IceDogs -- including the 10 NHL draft picks the club has on its roster -- in a rare early-week clash at TD Place, the 67's kept things tight through 40 minutes as the Barber Poles continued their fight for home ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

67's coach and general manager Jeff Brown was impressed with the effort, especially in the third period against a high-powered Niagara team.

"There was no quit in us in the third period. Niagara can roll 3 lines and its only matter of time before they show that in the standings." he said

After Aleksandar Mikulovich scored early for the visitors, 67's forward Dante Salituro tied the game with a shorthanded marker midway through the opening period, finishing off a two-on-one with Jeremiah Addison. After seeing a 13-game point streak halted last week, Salituro, who now has 31 goals on the year, has points in back-to-back games.

Liam Herbst, who finished with 29 saves on the night, was huge for Ottawa in the first, turning away 13 shots.

Brendan Perlini put Niagara ahead once again midway through a testy second period that featured three fights. Rookie Hudson Wilson dropped the gloves with Johnny Corneil just 37 seconds into the period. That was followed by fights between Ryan Mantha and 67's defenceman Evan de Hann, while Nick Pastorious fought towering Ottawa blueliner Stepan Falkovsky.

Despite Ottawa firing 13 shots at IceDogs goalie Alex Nedeljkovic in the third period, it was Niagara who found the back of the net, with Jordan Maletta and Perlini, with his second of the night, icing the game for the visitors.

With the loss, Ottawa sits seventh in the Eastern Conference, though they remain just one point behind the fourth-place IceDogs in a battle that could come down to the regular season's final games.

The 67's are back in action Wednesday in Kingston before returning home Friday night when they host the Sudbury Wolves at 7 p.m. at TD Place. The REDBLACKS Day game will feature appearances by two-time CFL Most Outstanding Player winner Henry Burris, reigning Most Outstanding Canadian Brad Sinopoli, Ottawa's own Alex Mateas and REDBLACKS head coach Rick Campbell. The group will be attending the game and signing autographs during the first intermission.

Youth hockey players in the Ottawa-Gatineau region can obtain free tickets to any 67's regular-season home game through the 67's Prospects program. Visit the 67's Prospects website for details, or call 613-232-6767, ext. 1.

Check out the Ottawa 67's Statistics

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from February 22, 2016


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