67’s stifle red-hot Hounds to win second straight
For the second game in a row, the Ottawa 67’s were paced by a veteran forward, en route to a big road win in Northern Ontario.
Where Luca Pinelli’s two goals lifted Ottawa to victory on Thursday in North Bay, it was Will Gerrior notching a pair, tonight, as the Barber Poles knocked off the high-flying Soo Greyhounds, who had won five of their first six games coming in, by a final score of 2-1. Collin MacKenzie earned his third win over the Soo in as many tries, dating back to last season, turning in a spectacular 32-save performance for his second win in as many nights.
The game was just as close at looks. With the 67’s up 2-0 in the third period, and already on the penalty kill, defenceman Derek Smyth was assessed a five-minute major and match penalty for crosschecking, putting the Hounds on an extended man advantage. Arttu Karki quickly found the twine, and though the Soo had their chances — including by former Barber Poles Jack Beck and Brenden Sirizzotti — MacKenzie slammed the door shut in the late goings.
In a game that featured two quality teams, the first period was scoreless, despite both sides coming close to breaking the deadlock. It was only 41 seconds into the middle frame, however, that Gerrior found the twine to open the scoring. Skating down from the blue line, “The Generator” took a slick feed from hometown boy Cooper Foster, and slipped his second of the season through Charlie Schenkel’s five-hole.
Ottawa found themselves on the powerplay just past the midway point of the period. Tuomas Uronen hit Frankie Marrelli at the point, and the young defender found Gerrior on the left side of the Soo zone. Gerrior’s second of the night came from a similar location, this time via his patented wicked wrist shot, for a 2-0 Ottawa lead.
A strong effort by the Soo saw them pour on the offence in the third, and bolstered by their extended powerplay time, it was a one-time shot by Karki that cut the lead to one.
It would be as close as the Hounds would get. Following some huge saves by MacKenzie; fittingly, it was Gerrior sealing the game heading into the final minute, by taking the puck into the Soo zone and skating toward the empty net, being tripped up to draw a penalty, that all but ended the home side’s hopes on the evening.
Now having won consecutive games for the first time on the year, the 67’s will look to sweep their Northern road trip on Sunday, with a 2:00pm visit to the Sudbury Wolves.
GAME NOTES:
- This was the fifth multi-goal game of Will Gerrior’s OHL career.
- Collin MacKenzie has won three straight games against the Greyhounds, dating back to last season, giving up just one goal in each contest.
- Tuomas Uronen’s first OHL assist came a night after scoring his first OHL goal.
- These two teams will meet again in Ottawa on Sunday, October 22, at 2:00pm.
