67’s kick-start lengthy road trip in Southern Ontario
After having played 12 out of the last 15 games at home, the Ottawa 67’s now set off on a five-game road trip beginning with a three-game swing through Southern Ontario this weekend. The 1600km+ round trip begins with the battle against Windsor Spitfires tonight, followed by the London Knights tomorrow and the Kitchener Rangers on Sunday. This weekend will be a true test for the 67’s offence that, with an average of four goals per game in the last 10, will be up against three Western Conference goaltenders who are all among the top 5 in the OHL.
The 67’s are coming off a narrow 3-2 loss against the Kitchener Rangers – marking the the first time in nine games at The Arena at TD Place that they have failed to score points. They have scored points in 10 out of their last 12 games, winning seven of those. They are currently seventh in the Eastern Conference but just five points separate them from fourth place North Bay, with Ottawa holding two games in hand.
With just 12 games remaining in the regular season, the 67’s will be eager to start this length road trip on a favourable note and continue their climb up the standings to get a favourable position for the opening round of the playoff that’s almost within touching distance now.
THE OPPOSITION
Windsor Spitfires (26-25-3-2)
The Spitfires are currently eighth in the Western Conference holding onto the last playoff spot. Last month, they lost 12 out of their 13 games before steadying the ship and winning three out of their next five games. This will be the second meeting between the two sides this season. The first encounter resulted in a 4-3 overtime loss for the 67’s. The last five years have resulted in a 4-3-2-0 run for the 67’s. The Barber Poles will have to get past the defences of the Spitfires goaltender, Michael DiPietro, who is fifth in the OHL with a GAA of 2.81.
London Knights (32-21-2-2)
The Knights are enjoying a good run, have won six out of their last seven games, helping them climb to fourth in the Western Conference. This will be the first time this season that the 67’s will face the Knights. Ottawa has lost all their previous five encounters, having conceded 29 goals and scoring just 12 in those games. The 67’s will have to watch out for the Knights’ goaltender Joseph Raaymakers who has a GAA of 2.68 (3rd in the OHL), a save percentage of 0.914 (4th in the OHL) and has had three shutouts this season. Another player to be wary about is Knights’ defenceman Evan Bouchard who is third in the OHL in assists with 52 this season.
Kitchener Rangers (38-17-2-0)
The Rangers have won 12 out of their last 15 games, including that narrow 3-2 win over the 67’s earlier this week. They are second in the Western Conference, have already secured their playoff spot and are ranked 7th in the CHL rankings. The Rangers have a couple of standout players in goaltender Mario Culina and winger Adam Mascherin. Culina has let in just 2.76 goals per game this season (4th in the OHL) and has a save percentage of 0.918 (3rd in the OHL). Mascherin is the top scorer for the Ranger’s with 36 goals this season and is fourth in the OHL. The 67’s are 0-4-1-0 against the Rangers in their previous five games. Ottawa came within seconds of grabbing a point during the last meeting between these two sides, but that game-tying goal was denied by the buzzer.
GAME NOTES
- Sasha Chmelevski has scored two points apiece in his last two games. He is the top goal scorer for the 67’s with 29 goals this season and also has 28 assists. He also needs just two more games to reach 150 in his OHL career.
- Tye Felhaber has scored points in nine consecutive games and now has 51 points for the season.
- Austen Keating has scored points in two consecutive games.
- The 67’s are seventh in the OHL with a penalty kill percentage of 80.6.
HOW TO TUNE IN
Thursday, February 22 vs Windsor Spitfires – 7:05PM
TV: Rogers TV | Online: OHL Live
Radio: 580 CFRA | CFRA.com
Friday, February 23 vs London Knights – 7:30PM
TV: Rogers TV | Online: OHL Live
Radio: TSN 1200 | TSN1200.ca
Sunday, February 25 vs Kitchener Rangers – 2:00PM
TV: Rogers TV | Online: OHL Live
Radio: TSN 1200 | TSN1200.ca
