67’s take series lead with convincing Game 3 win over Bulldogs
With the scenery shifted from the Brantford Civic Centre to The Arena at TD Place, the Ottawa 67’s battled the Brantford Bulldogs tenaciously in Game 3, taking the win in a 5-2 decision.
For the third time this series, the Bulldogs opened the scoring inside the opening two-and-a-half minutes of the game, this time on a Marek Vanacker shot that Collin MacKenzie got most, but not all of. Not long after, the Dogs fluked themselves into a golden opportunity to cease control of the game when a 67’s defender tumbled, but MacKenzie made an outstanding cross-crease save to maintain the one-goal deficit.
“Huge, [it was] huge,” said Head Coach Dave Cameron. “If that goes in, they were up 2-0. [That save] puts your team in a whole different mindset. It was a huge swing.”
Through MacKenzie’s eyes, the rush wasn’t intimidating, rather, it was comical – an emotion only a person like the Elora native could feel.
“I was laughing a little bit because of Frank falling,” MacKenzie said giggling. “There were two guys coming at me, so I thought I should probably focus. Usually when guys have a two-on-oh, they usually pass, and he did. It worked out pretty well.”
Luca Pinelli potted his third postseason goal midway through the opening frame to tie the game, as the teams headed to the break deadlocked.
In the middle stanza, the Barber Poles exploded offensively, scoring a trio of goals, courtesy of Braeden Kressler, Pinelli for a second time, and Caden Kelly, who is now halfway to his regular season goal total in just three postseason games this year. A Jake O’Brien goal split the Kressler and Pinelli markers, and the 67’s held a two goal lead heading into the third for the second time in as many games.
Back into their shutdown mode, the 67’s sat on their lead in the third, holding the Bulldogs to low-danger chances. An empty netter from Kressler sealed the deal, and the Barber Poles revealed their second ‘X,’ earning a 2-1 series lead.
Among the keys for Ottawa in their two wins is a reliable penalty kill, which hasn’t allowed a goal on their last eight opporunities. Still, the coaching staff is pleased with Tuesday night’s disciplined effort.
“You’re not going to shut it down completely, because they have skilled players,” Cameron said. “You don’t want to take multiple penalties, and we only took two tonight, and that’s manageable.”
Being aggresive, but smart has been a defensive focus for the 67’s, which paid off in spades in Game 3. Numerous times, the Barber Poles forecheck directly led to scoring chances, including a pair of shots that beat Matteo Drobac to find twine.
It’s all part of a more intense version of the 67’s, who have come out to play since the start of the series.
“It’s the playoffs, and that’s what you hope your team does,” Cameron said. “You know the other team is going [to battle], that’s the nature of the playoffs, you have to bring that element.”
Having felt the disappointment of playoff losses previously, this group has committed themselves to being the best they can be, and staying locked in regardless of what the scoreboard says.
“Right now, we just take it one period at a time,” MacKenzie said. “In between periods, we’re telling ourselves to win the next one, don’t focus on the past or the future. Be where your feet are.”
On a Tuesday night, 2,623 of junior hockey’s best fans made the trek to TD Place to cheer on their local heros, and it made a big difference.
“It was terrific,” Cameron said. “You’re emotionally lifted up [because it’s the playoffs], but that crowd gives you a little bit extra.”
Looking to take a commanding 3-1 series lead on Thursday night, the Barber Poles will once again need your help. Get your tickets for Game 4 here.
