67’s travel to Sarnia to take on the Sting

The Ottawa 67’s (8-7-2-2) begin a three-game road trip in Sarnia tonight, taking on the Sting (7-12-1-3), with puck drop scheduled for 7:05 PM. Fans can watch on Rogers TV or CHL TV, or listen to Kenny Walls on the call on TSN 1200.

Back in their red Barber Poles for the first time this season, the 67’s are in the midst of a successful stretch of games, earning 10 of a possible 14 points across seven games. Edmonton Oilers prospect Brady Stonehouse has made an instant impact upon his return to the lineup, with two goals in his four games, while Henry Mews has continued a strong start to his season, recording nine points in his last four games.

The Sting begin the weekend on a six-game losing streak, having earned a point only once in their last 10 games, the last of which being a 5-0 defeat to Kitchener on Sunday. Defenceman Mitch Young leads Sarnia with 18 points from the blueline, while rookie forward Beckham Edwards paces the team with nine goals in his first 17 Ontario Hockey League games.

This is the first time these two teams are matchup up this season, having split their two games last season (a 6-3 Barber Poles win in Ottawa, and a 4-3 Sting shootout win in Sarnia). Stonehouse has particularly enjoyed playing against Sarnia, a team he grew up not far from in Blenheim, scoring four times in three contests against the Sting in his career.

What they’re saying:

Norm Milley, Assistant Coach, on the weekend road trip: “It’s a benchmark for us,” Milley said. “We play some solid hockey teams. Windsor is one of the top-scoring teams in the league, London is always great every year, they have great structure, they’re coached well, and Sarnia is a team that if you let them, they’ll take it to you. So it’s going to be challenging, three different games, three different challenges. And so I’m excited to see what we have as a team.”By the numbers

Keys to the game

– Fast start

While the first goal hasn’t necessarily been the key to 67’s wins this season (3-4-2-0 when scoring first), it goes a long way to quieting the home crowd while on the road, which will help the rest of the game.

– Special Teams

If the 67’s can draw some penalties on the Sting, which should be doable seeing as they lead the league in penalty minutes, and strike with the extra man, they’ll be in business.

– Don’t hold back

This is the first of three games in the span of around 60 hours for the 67’s, with stops against top dawgs Windsor and London upcoming – but the Barber Poles can’t take the Sting lightly.