67’s drop hard-fought game to Steelheads
By: Hunter Miller
The Ottawa 67’s faced off against the Mississauga Steelheads in what could be a possible first round match up, Sunday afternoon, dropping a 4-2 decision on home ice.
Down 3-1 late, a Matthew Mayich goal with 1:46 to play made it a game, but the Steelheads iced the comeback effort with an empty-netter.
The Steelheads opened the scoring with Mason Zebeski taking advantage of a loose puck in front of the net and shooting it over the shoulder of 67’s goaltender Collin Mackenzie.
The 67’s were quick to respond with a laser from defenceman Thomas Sirman for his third of the year, with help from Maple Leafs prospect Braeden Kressler on the assist.
With less than a minute to go in the first period, the Steelheads capitalized on a late powerplay, with captain Chas Sharpe grabbing a rebound and putting it in the back of the net.
Around the halfway mark of the second period, the Steelheads forced a turnover deep in Ottawa’s defensive zone, and Zebeski put his second of the game through the legs Mackenzie.
The 67’s did not go away easily. Mayich fooled Steelheads goaltender Jack Ivankovic with a beautiful shot in the top left corner of the net with two minutes left in the game.
Unfortunately, the last-minute rally would not be successful for the 67’s, as Steelheads defenceman Finn Harding sent the puck into the empty net from his own end to send Ottawa fans home early.
The 67’s will be back at TD Place on Tuesday, March 12 to face off against the Barrie Colts at 2:00pm in the team’s Staycation Game.
