67’s Explode For 3 Late Goals; Down IceDogs
67’s explode for three late goals in victory over IceDogs
Ryan Van Stralen may have considered using his fists to enact revenge when he saw teammate Travis Konecny injured and down on the ice.
Instead, he and Konecny made the Niagara IceDogs pay in a much more significant way by combining for the go-ahead goal late in the third period as the Ottawa 67’s rallied for a 5-2 victory at Canadian Tire Centre.
Konency, who earlier in the period had been hurt on a cross-check from a Niagara player behind the play, returned to the ice and fought off two defenders in the corner before feeding Van Stralen who, open in front, slammed the puck behind Niagara goalie Christopher Festarini with 3:02 left, breaking a 2-2 tie.
The 67’s proceeded to score twice more in the next two minutes – Tyler Hill and Van Stralen during a power play – to bury the visitors from Niagara.
The win was important for Ottawa (9-13-1-1) as it provides the 67’s with a four-point advantage over the IceDogs in the OHL’s Eastern Conference standings. Ottawa holds eighth place in the standings, Niagara is ninth and the top eight teams in each conference advance to the playoffs.
Joseph Blandisi and Owen Stewart also scored for the 67’s who won their second straight game.
Ottawa goalie Philippe Trudeau made 25 saves.
The 67’s are on the road for a swing through North Bay, Sault Ste. Marie and Sudbury next week and return to Canadian Tire Centre for a game Friday, December 6 against the Erie Otters. Faceoff is 7 p.m
