OHL Brampton Steelheads

Kilrea Returns to Defeat Steelheads

October 18, 2014 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Brampton Steelheads News Release


MISSISSAUGA, ON - The widely publicized one-day contract offered to Brian Kilrea kicked in on Friday night, and the Ottawa 67's were able to come away with a victory. The winningest coach in Ontario Hockey League history stepped returned to the bench on his 80th birthday, as the Mississauga Steelheads rolled into the Nation's Capital looking to keep their winning streak going.

Early on, it looked like the Steelheads would do just that with Brendan Bell heading to the penalty box to start the game. Josh Burnside wasted no time getting the Trout on the scoreboard, tipping in his second goal of the year with assists going to Stefan LeBlanc and Greg DiTomaso. The lead would not last long however, as with the Ottawa 67's responded five minutes later with a power play marker of their own. The goal was the first power play goal allowed by the Steelheads this season, entering the game with a perfect 26-for-26 penalty kill. Despite generating some great opportunities on Liam Herbst at one end of the rink, it was Ottawa who would score the next marker, as a rebound landed in the crease for Erik Bradford to tap home midway through the period. The teams would continue to exchange chances throughout the period, with both goalies coming up big throughout the period. Lucas Venuto would finally tie the game with less than 20 seconds to play in the period, with Damian Bourne and Bryson Cianfrone picking up assists.

With a slight edge in shots, the Steelheads looked to get on the board early in the second; unfortunately, it was Ottawa who would generate chances early. Spencer Martin's glove hand was tested a couple of times early in the frame, however the Avalanche prospect stood tall in net. Ottawa would break the tie at 7:30 of the second period with Dante Salituro picking up his fifth goal in three games. The Steelheads would jump right back on to the attack however, with a series that saw Lucas Venuto hit the crossbar, Jesse Barwell just miss the net and Nathan Bastian stopped in close. All of the positive pressure by the Trout would unfortunately be negated by an unlucky bounce that saw the puck bounce off of Travis Barron's skate and barely cross the goal line. Undeterred, the Steelheads kept the pressure on, but could not solve Herbst before the end of the period.

Mississauga's offense would strike early in the third period, as Venuto let a beautiful wrist shot go to beat Herbst top shelf and bring the Steelheads back within one; Cianfrone picked up the assist on the marker. The Steelheads' previously perfect penalty kill would unfortunately be brought into the spotlight in the final period of the game as two penalties would result in two more power play goals for the 67's, a perfect 3-for-3 on the power play on this night. The markers would serve as the nails in the coffin for Mississauga, as coach Brian Kilrea successfully picked up his 1,194th victory on his 80th birthday. Spencer Martin made 23 saves in the loss, while Lucas Venuto's 2 goals earned him a star of the game.

The Steelheads will return to action this Sunday afternoon at 2 PM with a trip to North Bay. The Trout will then head to Plymouth for a date with the Whalers on Friday, October 24 before visiting the Windsor Spitfires on Saturday, October 25. The Steelheads will return home next Sunday, October 26 for a 2:00 matinee against the Saginaw Spirit. Great seats are still available by logging on to Ticketmaster!

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from October 18, 2014


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