GAME PREVIEW: Ottawa to look to dampen Spirit in Sunday showdown

OTTAWA, ON – The Ottawa 67’s (33-9-1-2) will look to extend their win streak to six, as they take on the Saginaw Spirit (17-21-3-4) Sunday at 3 p.m at TD Place. Fans can also tune in to the game on Rogers TV Channel 22, via Flo Hockey, or listen to TSN 1200 for play-by-play from Kenny Walls. Today is also the Ottawa 67’s Sensory Awareness Game. Sensory kits are available throughout the game at the Fan Info Booth in section 18. Additionally, two Quiet Rooms will be open; one in the Lansdowne Lounge near section 10 and another near the Barbershop. Read TD Place’s Sensory Narrative here.

This will be the first time Nic Sima will face off against his former team. Sima joined the 67’s at the trade deadline, having scored six points in his first seven games. Jasper Kuhta enters the game having recently taken sole possession of the goal-scoring lead on the 67’s with 23 goals, thanks to a two-goal performance over the Oshawa Generals on Saturday. Also, be on the lookout for Spencer Bowes, who has picked up multiple points in three of his last five games.

On the other side, the Spirit are led by 2026 NHL draft prospect Nikita Klepov, who has 60 points this season as a rookie. Meanwhile, Levi Harper recently came off from tying Zayne Parekh’s franchise high of 37 points among rookie defensemen, as well as Dimian Zhilkin, who just surpassed his career high of 44 points. Both Harper and Zhilkin are expected to be notable 2027 NHL draft eligibles.

This is the first time the two teams will have met this season, with Saginaw sweeping Ottawa 2-0 last season.

 

Capital connections:

The Spirit has only one player with a connection to the Ottawa-Gatineau corridor: Winnipeg Jets prospect right winger Jacob Cloutier (Ottawa).

Fans attending in person will have access to the Fan First Menu, featuring various snacks and treats for $3 to $5.

 

By the numbers

Ottawa 67’s	Player	Total
Goals	Jasper Kuhta	23
Assists	Kohyn Eshkawkogan	30
Points	Cooper Foster	45
Power play goals	Jasper Kuhta	9
+/-	Kohyn Eshkawkogan	24
Saginaw Spirit	Player	Total
Goals	Nikita Klepov	28
Assists	Egor Barabanov	38
Points	Nikita Klepov	60
Power play goals	Dimian Zhilkin	8
+/-	Josh Glavin	9

 

Jacob Titus

Writer, Ottawa 67’s