67’s earn fourth straight with 5-3 win over Colts
By: Chris Crawford – Ottawa67s.com
Photo: Robert Lefebvre – IceLevel Photography
It was home sweet home for the Ottawa 67’s on Wednesday night as the Barber Poles returned to TD Place after an extended road trip with a come-from-behind 5-3 win over the Barrie Colts.
It was Ottawa’s fourth-straight win and first at home after a four-game road swing, with the two points putting the 67’s just one point back of Niagara for fourth in the Eastern Conference and home-ice advantage in the opening round of the playoffs.
“We had a really good second period,” said 67’s head coach Jeff Brown. “We played playoff hockey and it should give our guys confidence going into the playoffs.”
Playing their second-last home date of the regular season, the 67’s fell behind early on goals from Barrie’s Justin Murray and Julius Nattinen. But Ottawa got one back before the end of the opening frame as Artur Tyanulin, fresh off a hat-trick Saturday in Kingston, scored his 17th of the year to cut Barrie’s lead in half.
The 67’s got the equalizer courtesy of Nathan Todd early in the second, followed by goals from Jeremiah Addision and Connor Graham as Ottawa found the back of the net three times in less than eight minutes in the second.
Dylan Sadowy pulled the Colts to within a goal with 28 seconds to go in the game but Dante Salituro, with his team-leading 37th goal, scored into an empty net seconds later to ice the win.
Goaltender Leo Lazarev started the game and made 13 saves before a collision forced him out of the game just past the midway point. He is listed as day-to-day. Liam Herbst was solid in relief, turning away 12 of 13 shots.
The 67’s will continue their battle to claim home ice advantage in the first round of the OHL playoffs when they host the Hamilton Bulldogs at the Arena at TD Place on Friday, March 18th, 2016 at 7:00 p.m.
Youth hockey players in the Ottawa-Gatineau region can obtain free tickets to any 67’s regular-season home game through the 67’s Prospects program. Visit the 67’s Prospects website for details, or call 613-232-6767 x1.
The 67’s final home game is this Friday and we want to thank all of you for a great 2015/16 regular season at our Fan Appreciation Game. Ottawa hosts the Hamilton Bulldogs at 7 p.m. as they fight for every last point and positioning for their playoff run. Sweet seats are are available by clicking here, calling 613-232-6767 x1, or in person at the TD Place Box Office.
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GAME SUMMARY – CLICK HERE
Ottawa 67’s 5, Barrie Colts 3
67’s goals: Artur Tyanulin (17), Nathan Todd (16), Jeremiah Addison (27), Connor Graham (7), Dante Salituro (37)
Colts goals: Justin Murray (3), Julius Nattinen (21), Dylan Sadowy (44)
Goaltenders: 67’s: Leo Lazarev (W: 26-16-1-0, 15 shots, 13 saves); Liam Herbst (8-13-1-1-1,13 shots, 12 saves); Mackenzie Blackwood (L: 27-12-0-0-3, 22 shots, 18 saves)
Power Play: 67’s: 1/3 | Colts: 0/7
Shots on goal: 67’s: 23 | Colts: 28
Upcoming 67’s games: March 18 vs Hamilton, Arena at TD Place, 7:00 p.m.; March 20 @ Oshawa, General Motors Place, 6:00 p.m.
Ottawa record: 34-29-2-1
Ottawa record at home: 17-15-0-1
Ottawa record on road: 17-14-2-0
