OHL Ottawa 67's

Clarke Comes Back and Barber Poles Bounce Back in Big Win over Frontenacs

Published on February 25, 2020 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Ottawa 67's News Release


OTTAWA - After what was probably their toughest road trip they've had this season last weekend, the Ottawa 67's bounced back in a big way on Tuesday morning, when they defeated the Kingston Frontenacs by a final score of 7-3. In what was a matinee 10:30 AM start, the 67's opened the doors to their fans, who showed up in big numbers with 3,254 seats filled on a Tuesday morning. Graeme Clarke , Cameron Tolnai, Daylon Groulx, Joe Garreffa, Marco Rossi, Jack Quinn and Adam Varga were the goal scorers for Ottawa in their 44th win of the season.

The first period was all 67's. After being out since mid-October, having only played in the first 9 games of the season, Graeme Clarke came back from his injury in this game and wasted no time getting back on the board, as it took him only three minutes for the sniper to score his first goal since coming back. Cameron Tolnai, who assisted on Clarke's goal, made it 2-0 five minutes later, before Daylon Groulx gave the 67's a three goal edge only 20 seconds later. Joe Garreffa went on to score the last goal in the opening twenty, giving a goal to each of the three players on the Garreffa-Tolnai-Clarke line.

Marco Rossi made it 5-0 67's only sixteen seconds into the second period, with Jack Quinn adding yet another goal at the 4:35 mark of the second, making it 6-0 for the hosts. The Frontenacs battled back in the second, however. Shane Wright put his team on the board thanks to a precise shot, making it 36 on the year for the exceptional status player. Dawson Baker put another one on the board, followed by a goal from Vitali Pinchuk with less than a minute remaining in the period, which made it 6-3 Ottawa heading into the third.

Only one goal was scored in the third period, as 67's forward Adam Varga was efficiently parked in front of the net, allowing him to tip a puck past Kingston netminder, for a final score of 7-3 in favour of the Barber Poles.

After the first game of a busy week for the 67's, the team will be back on TD Place ice as soon as Friday night, when they'll be hosting the Oshawa Generals. Ottawa will then be receiving the Barrie Colts on Saturday afternoon, in a game that will be nationally televised on Sportsnet as soon as 3:30 PM.

POST GAME COMMENTS

Head Coach André Tourigny

"We were in a little bit of a slump that started last weekend and I don't think you can get from low to high just by clicking your fingers. This was a step in the right direction, however. We did a lot of good things today, we were more physical, we got our urgency back, we supported way better on the rush, lots of positives in this game. It's a step in the right direction, we'll take that any day, it's what we wanted; to get out of that slump and play better."

F Graeme Clarke

"I think practicing with the team for the last two weeks has helped out a lot mentally, to be back with the team. To finally get back out there and play a game with the guys and get a big win today, it was awesome."

"Just touching the puck for the first time in a game, you're a little anxious. That first shift was good to get my feet wet and to get the goal early was a relief and getting it out of the way was nice. Credit to my linemates, they were talking to me all night and helped me adjust, it's been a while since I played, so credit to them and the whole team."

GAME NOTES

Three Stars of the game: * Cameron Tolnai (1G, 2A) ; ** Vitali Pinchuk (1G, 1A); *** Austen Keating (2A)

A total of 3,254 fans took in this game inside The Arena at TD Place.

Coming back from his first game since October 14th, Graeme Clarke scored his 8th of the year in his 10th game.

With a three point game, Clarke now has 12 points in 10 games

Will Cranley had 41 saves in what was his 15th win of the season.

Check out the Ottawa 67's Statistics

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from February 25, 2020


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.

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