67’s set for clash with Generals in Round 2
The Ottawa 67’s and Oshawa Generals are familiar foes by now, having met 21 times in the past two seasons, including their first-round matchup this time last year.
On 17 of those occasions, the Barber Poles have come out on top, six of which came in the 2023-24 regular season, but notoriously, meetings between these proud franchises dripped in history are intense. With the 67’s hoping to finish the business they started last year, and the Generals seeking retribution for their first-round exit, this series promises to be a good one.
After knocking off the Brantford Bulldogs in six games, the 67’s have been preparing for Round 2 since Sunday night, using both Monday and Tuesday as recovery days, before returning to the ice on Wednesday.
Finding time to allow players to recover from their knocks and bruises was important for the Barber Poles, but with the page fully turned, they hit the ice ready to push forward in their quest for a championship.
“It was a great few recovery days, and we’ve been right back at it in practice,” 67’s forward Will Gerrior explained. “We’ve been practicing like we’re going to war, because that’s going to make us better, and put us in the right mindset that we need to be in going into these games.”
Meeting as many times as they have over the past couple of seasons, both teams are plenty familiar with one another by now. There won’t be any surprises on either side, and the 67’s understand what they are getting themselves into.
“They are a very good team, skilled and fast,” said goaltender Collin MacKenzie. “They’ve been good competition for us in the regular season, but everyone knows that the playoffs are a different beast, so the intensity is going to be higher.”
Much of what worked in the opening round of the postseason remains key for the Barber Poles in this matchup, particularly their work rate, which halted the Bulldogs in their tracks.
“We have to be heavy on defence and play a good 200-foot game,” Gerrior said. “They’re skilled, so we have to capitalize on the mistakes that they do make, that will be huge.”
Opposite MacKenzie stands overage goaltender Jacob Oster, one of the top goaltenders in the league during the regular season.
“It’s important [to get to him early],” Gerrior said. “He has a lot of confidence, and he’s a good goalie, so getting to him early would be huge for us. We’re going to try to pepper him with as many pucks as we can.”
Unlike a season ago, the 67’s are the ones who head into this series the underdog, having claimed the Eastern Conference’s sixth seed, while the Generals snatched the top spot.
Regardless, time and time again, it has been proven that it means nothing, nor do previous meetings. It’s a blank slate, and the better team over a two-week stretch will leave the series victorious.
“Playoffs are all about confidence,” MacKenzie said. “It’s a seven-game series, so you try to get as much of an upper hand on the other team as you can, and just roll with it from there.”
