67’s have high hopes for new year

Streaking club keeps first place in sight as it opens 2007 vs. Peterborough.

By DON BRENNAN, Ottawa Sun

The 67’s will try to pick up right where they left off in 2006 when they open the new year against the Peterborough Petes tonight.

And part of that, of course, means beating the Peterborough Petes.

Brian Kilrea’s crew won seven of its last eight games in the previous calendar year, including a 3-2 decision in Peterborough Dec. 30.

The run improved the 67’s record to 17-16-2 which, heading into last night’s games, had them third in the OHL’s East Division.

However, while they were only one point behind the second-place Oshawa Generals, the 67’s were also just one ahead of the Kingston Frontenacs and two up on Peterborough.

“No one likes to lose a game, but when we lost (to Erie as the only blip on the successful stretch), at least we didn’t lose to someone in our division,” said Kilrea. “Games against teams in our division are so important, with everyone so tight. I’m hoping we’ll come out and play as hard as we can.

“I know (first-place) Belleville has won a few more, but we’ve got a couple in hand … you don’t want to lose sight of first place. We just have to be a little more consistent.”

With the way his team is going — and with the recent addition of winger Jason Bailey — there’s less pressure on the 67’s GM/coach to make a deal before the Jan. 10 deadline.

“I don’t know if there will be anything with us,” said Kilrea. “I’ve had a couple of players up for trade, but no one was too interested. Most teams are interested in 19-year-old defencemen … everyone’s looking for that.

“But with the play of (16-year-old) Tyler Cuma and the improvement of Sean Ryan, I feel good about our depth on the blue line.”

The 67’s, however, are expected to be adding a blueliner from their affiliate tonight with Jakub Vojta still at the world junior hockey championship in Sweden.

Yesterday, goaltender Jake Fisher cleared waivers and will head to the Chatham Jr. B team with Lukas Flueler returning on the weekend.

Kilrea will start Brady Morrison in goal tonight.

Winger Arron Alphonso, who has 12 goals and 15 assists in 30 games, will probably sit this one out to allow a banged-up shoulder time to recover.

Meanwhile, centre Logan Couture has officially been invited to the CHL-NHL prospects game Jan. 17 in Quebec City.