67’s take down Spitfires, extend win streak to four

The Ottawa 67’s lock down the fort, securing a 2-1 Sunday afternoon victory over the Windsor Spitfires, putting their season series to one a piece.

The first period was all about making the most out of extra space when given. A 67’s penalty would give the Spitfires’ leading point-getter Carson Woodall enough room to walk into the slot and rip a puck past Jaeden Nelson for the first goal of the game. The Barber Poles would get the chance to retaliate on a Windsor tripping penalty, however the Spitfires would kill it off. Both teams would lock in defensively again at even strength. An offensive zone turnover for the Windsor Spitfires would lead to the play going the other way, and Brock Chitaroni would set up Nathan Amidovski on the two-on-one to tie the game. The 67’s would kill a massive 4-on-3 penalty kill, swinging the momentum in their favour in the final few minutes of the period. The first wouldn’t end without drama, however, as both the Spitfires and 67’s would get called for unusual penalties in quick succession: a face-off violation call on Windsor and a closing hand on puck call on Ottawa.

The second period began with some back and forth action on the rush. The penalties would continue as the 67’s would find themselves on the right side of a 4-on-3 advantage. Jasper Kuhta would tally on a net-front tap in. The Spitfires would regain their feet after returning to even strength, but the 67’s would continue to outwork them  for the remainder of the second to lead 17-11 in shots and 2-1 heading into the third period.

The 67’s didn’t take their foot off the gas to start the third, hemming the Spitfires in their own end and controlling the majority of the possession of the puck to start the period. On the rare chance the Spitfires were able to break through and set up in-zone, they’d take more chances with defenseman Woodall playing deep. The game would hit a standstill at the half-way mark, with both teams shutting each other down in the neutral zone. In the dying minutes, the Windsor Spitfires would pull their goalie, hoping to pull together some extra space on the man advantage, but the 67’s would box them out and Nelson would lock-in to secure the 2-1 win.

After a strong, but ultimately losing performance in Windsor and Ottawa’s first spat this season, Nelson got the call once again. “The fact that I was chosen for the job means that the confidence in myself and it gives me extra confidence in myself,” he said. Despite facing only 18 shots, it’s hard to deny the impact that Nelson had in securing the win today for the 67’s. Most of the chances he faced were at a disadvantage, and time and time again Nelson prevailed and provided a steady. “When you are on the kill, it challenges you to turn it up a notch and get into it right away,” he said.

Box score

First period

#24 Carson Woodall (8) scores. Assists: #71 Jack Nesbitt

#26 Nathan Amidovski (6) scores. Assists: #17 Brock Chitaroni

Second Period

#22 Jasper Kuhta (17). Assists: #37 Thomas Vandenberg, #8 Frank Marrelli

Up next

The 67’s will return to action Friday, hosting the Peterborough Petes at 7 PM. Fans can buy tickets to the game here.

Jacob Titus

Writer, Ottawa 67’s