67’s drop final preseason decision to Frontenacs
Without a full compliment of players, the Ottawa 67’s made the voyage to Cornwall for their final tune-up game, where they fell to the Kingston Frontenacs 3-2 on Saturday afternoon.
The Barber Poles had been away from game action for two weeks, and the Fronts took advantage, having played the night before. They started the game well, taking a 1-0 lead courtesy of Maddox Callens. As the 67’s got back into their groove, they found an equalizer on an excellent passing play, which was capped off by a rocket into the top corner from Nic Whitehead.
Early in the second frame, Will Gerrior gave Ottawa their first lead of the game, wiring a shot past Mason Vaccari for his second goal of the preseason. Holding onto the one-goal advantage in the third, the Barber Poles’ fun was about to expire.
Six minutes into the final 20, Owen Outwater snapped one home from the slot to tie the game. With both teams fighting for the win the rest of the way, the goaltenders stood tall, until Nathan Poole tipped a Gage Hayes shot into the upper left quadrant of the goal, exactly where Collin MacKenzie stood no chance.
The 67’s pushed for an answer in the remaining two-and-a-half minutes, but Vaccari slammed the door, denying some tremendous opportunities to hold on at the buzzer.
Game Notes:
- Collin MacKenzie was sensational in the 67’s goal, turning aside 32 shots, including numerous breakaways and cross-crease opportunities.
- Both Nic Whitehead and Will Gerrior scored their second goal of the preseason, joining the likes of Tuomas Uronen, Charlie Hilton, and Cooper Foster as players with multiple goals.
- Gerrior and Brad Gardiner end the preseason schedule as the Barber Poles’ scoring leaders, with four points each.
Up Next
The 67’s kick off the regular season on Friday night, hosting the defending OHL champion Peterborough Petes. Puck drop from The Arena at TD Place comes at 7 p.m.
