67’s meet Bulldogs on Ottawa REDBLACKS night inside The Arena at TD Place
The Ottawa 67’s (3-1-0-0), who will be dressed up like the Ottawa REDBLACKS, take to the ice on Friday night for a meeting with the Brantford Bulldogs (2-3-0-0) at 7 p.m. Fans looking to take in the action from the arena can get their tickets here. Broadcasts will be available through Rogers TV and CHLTV, while radio listeners can hear Kenny Walls on TSN 1200.
For those coming to the rink, here’s what you’ll need to know.
Ottawa enters Friday’s meeting having won their last three games, knocking off a pair of division rivals in that time. Last Sunday, they took an overtime thriller over the Kingston Frontenacs, on the strength of Jack Dever’s four-point night. Filip Ekberg scored his second goal of the season, potting the overtime winner with under 20 seconds to play in the period.
Luca Pinelli, Cooper Foster, Dever, Henry Mews, and Thomas Sirman are all at a point-per-game pace of better for the Barber Poles.
The Bulldogs cruised to a 5-1 victory over the Sarnia Sting on Wednesday night. Nick Lardis scored a hat trick and four points in the win, while Calvin Crombie notched a trio of assists, all of which came on Lardis’ goals.
In the offseason, the Bulldogs acquired NHL Draft choice Ryerson Leenders from the Brampton Steelheads in exchange for a slew of draft picks. The native of Nanticoke, Ontario finished the 2023-24 season with the best save percentage among OHL netminders.
It’s the first meeting of the season between these two clubs. Last year, they met in the first round of the playoffs, a series which the Barber Poles won in six games.
What they’re saying
Norm Milley, Assistant Coach, on the Bulldogs: “We know Brantford, they’ve loaded up. They’ve got some high-end talent, but they are going to work extremely hard, and we know that they’re going to play with structure.”
Jack Dever, Forward, on the leadership from the veterans: “I just feel like we’re all older guys on the team. We all know that we have to step up this year, and I feel like we’re all trying to be leaders on and off the ice.”
Chris Barlas, Forward, on what to expect: “I think they’re a good team, but we’ll match up well with them. They play hard, and we play hard, so it’s going to be a good game.”
By the numbers
Ottawa 67’s | Player | Total | Opponent | Player | Total |
Goals | Luca Pinelli, Cooper Foster | 5 | Goals | Nick Lardis | 5 |
Assists | Henry Mews | 4 | Assists | Patrick Thomas | 6 |
Points | Luca Pinelli | 8 | Points | Patrick Thomas, Nick Lardis | 7 |
Powerplay goals | Luca Pinelli | 2 | Powerplay goals | Nick Lardis | 1 |
+/- | Jack Dever | +5 | +/- | Ben Radley | +3 |
Frankie’s keys to the game
- Keep the pressure
Ottawa has done a great job of putting pucks on net this season. Making life hard for Brantford’s goaltender will be key
- Dig in
Brantford is a great test for the Barber Poles, and dating back, games between these two have been close. Ottawa should be ready for a battle
- Own it
Be confident. The 67’s have been good to start the season, and they can carry that momentum with them into this game.
Special REDBLACKS Theme Activations:
Item Of The Game: REDBLACKS Theme Jersey available at Lansdowne Sports Shop.
• Special Food Item of the Game: Karaage Chicken Poutine (Poutine Add-On).
• Pop-Up Pub: O’Riley’s is your new spot to hang out with pre-game happy hour deals and live music on Friday.
• Game Highlights:
🗸 REDBLACKS stars in attendance: Jovan Santos-Knox, Kene Onyeka, DeVonte Dedmon, Marco Dubois, and Adarius Pickett will all be at the game, and better yet, they’ll be signing autographs for fans during the first intermission.
🗸 TD will also be on-site, handing out foam fingers at their booth in the concourse, helping you cheer on both the 67’s and the REDBLACKS.
🗸 Activations on the concourse, including target passing, where you’ll be able to see for yourself what life is like for REDBLACKS’ quarterbacks.