67’s let one slip away in Niagara

Despite scoring more goals than they have on average, this season, a parade to the penalty box proved to be the undoing of the Ottawa 67’s, in a 7-5 road loss to the Niagara IceDogs, Thursday.

Will Gerrior scored twice, and Thomas Sirman tallied a pair of assists in his return to the lineup following offseason knee surgery.

The two teams traded opening goals via the penalty shot in the game’s opening minutes, with Gerrior beating Owen Flores, and Brody Crane scoring on Max Donoso for Niagara.

Ethan Czata hit the score sheet soon after, and made it 2-1 for the home team heading into the second frame.

Gerrior returned fire before the midway point of the middle period, but 28 seconds later, Mike Levin restored the IceDogs lead, 3-2. Luca Pinelli scored to even things again, but it once more took less than a minute for Niagara to respond, by way of Evan Klein making it 4-3.

With Caden Kelly in the box for a called head check, Alex Assadourian converted on the IceDogs powerplay, and the home team carried a 5-3 lead heading into the third.

Cooper Foster drew the 67’s back within one at the 8:19 mark, but the trend of quick Niagara answers continued, with Gavin Bryant making it 6-4 only 47 seconds later, on Niagara’s fourth of five powerplays on the night. Brad Gardiner pulled Ottawa back within striking distance, but with Collin MacKenzie on the bench for the extra attacker in the final minute, Assadourian put this one away with the empty net goal.

The 67’s look to get back on track on Saturday night, in the season’s only visit to the Erie Otters at 7:00pm.