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OHL Ottawa 67's

Keating Hat Trick Sinks Generals

December 30, 2016 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Ottawa 67's News Release


Keating Hat Trick Sinks Generals
Keating Hat Trick Sinks Generals
(Ottawa 67's)

OTTAWA - Hats littered the ice at The Arena at TD Place as Austen Keating potted all three Ottawa goals in a 3-1 67's win over the Oshawa Generals Friday evening.

The hat trick is the second in Keating's OHL career, after scoring one against Sault Ste. Marie on December 13, 2015.

"He's outstanding," associate coach Mike Eastwood of Keating's play. "He's great in all three zones, I rely on him to kill penalties at the end of the game to preserve a win and contribute to this hockey club offensively too."

Eastwood said the "attention to defence" in the third period was key in preserving a narrow win over the top team in the OHL's eastern conference.

"We want to be aggressive, but we have to follow some simple rules," he explained. "We have to keep out shifts short and be committed to defence in our own end."

He said the team was able to execute the game plan perfectly.

Ottawa outshot the Generals 9-5 in the first period, but it was Oshawa who struck first. Grayden Gottschalk found a shooting lane and laced a wrister through a screen to give the visitors an early 1-0 lead.

Ottawa had an answer through Keating. The 17-year-old got his first goal of the game at 5:45 of the second, gathering his own rebound and deflecting the puck before Kyle Keiser could make a save in the Oshawa net.

Keating got in on the scoring again before the second period ended. At 15:15, he picked the pocket of an Oshawa defender at the attacking blue line, and then a pretty give-and-go passing play between Keating and Artur Tyanulin gave Ottawa a 2-1 lead.

Keating added an empty netter at the end of the game for the hat trick, and a 3-1 Ottawa victory.

New acquisition Matt Foget made his 67's debut, and was in the starting lineup. The Orleans, Ont. native is former Merrimack College property, and was signed by the 67's earlier today.

"We benefit from his decision to leave school," said Eastwood. "It's always great to sign a local kid, he's a highly skilled kid and his best hockey is ahead of him."

Oshawa was missing two of their top players for the game. Forwards Anthony Cirelli and Renars Krastenburgs were both out of the lineup due to competing for Canada and Latvia respectively at the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship.

These two teams will face off once again on Sunday, in the back leg of a home-and-home series. Puck drop is set for 2 p.m. at the Tribute Communities Centre.

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. 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 .

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Keating Hat Trick Sinks Generals
Keating Hat Trick Sinks Generals
   



Ontario Hockey League Stories from December 30, 2016


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