67’s weekly: reinforcements
The Ottawa 67’s are riding high, earning points in each of their last five games, including four wins. They currently own the second-longest such streak in the Ontario Hockey League, behind only the London Knights, who have won their past nine games.
During this stretch, the Barber Poles have been wildly short-handed at times, through a combination of injury, illness, and international duty. They’ve been without both of their imports, Kimi Körbler and Filip Ekberg, as well as Kohyn Eshkawkogan and Chase Yanni at different points.
Down to just 10 forwards for a game, and as low as five defencemen, the 67’s had plenty of reason to complain or sulk, but they didn’t, rather remaining tremendously adaptable.
“We have flexibility with some of our players, and it’s key for us,” said Assistant Coach Norm Milley. “The biggest thing is their attitude. If we need Chris Barlas to play on the left wing, it’s no problem. If we ask Brad Horner to play defence this game, it’s no problem.”
“I love the attitude of our players, and it’s all in, team first, no matter what happens. I find in today’s game, a lot of that is hard to create, and it has to be created organically.”
Slowly but surely, the Barber Poles are feeling the rejuvenation of fresh legs being reinserted into the lineup. Likely the most notable, of course, was Brady Stonehouse, who was reassigned to Ottawa by the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday.
Right from the drop of the puck – and before it, in reality – he was his typical self, getting under the skin of the opposition, and lurking around the offensive zone, threatening to produce at the drop of a hat.
“He brings a presence,” Milley said. “He’s a pro. He stayed here in the summertime, trained here, and trained with many pros, so his mindset has shifted, and he’s bringing that to the locker room. Having him on ice the last game was really big for us, he is an impact player.”
Additionally, Yanni returned to the Barber Poles’ lineup on Friday night, where he was an immediate difference-maker, despite flying under the radar in the public eye.
“You can see he’s a really smart hockey player, real good hockey IQ, and for him, it was just a matter of time for him to find his rhythm,” Milley said. “He’s getting a little bit more ice time, and generating more chances. When you get a smart player like that, you don’t really worry about it. You know it’s just a matter of time.”
The 67’s good fortune appears as if it’ll continue in the next couple of weeks on the injury front. Ekberg was a full participant at practice on Tuesday morning, and Körbler is inching his way toward a return, though an exact date is yet to be determined.
On top of that, Eshkawkogan is slated to make his return to the Barber Poles’ lineup, after winning a silver medal in Sarnia at the World Under 17 Challenge.
“It’ll be good to give some guys some rest,” Milley said. “A lot of guys have played a lot of hockey lately, and I think it’ll be good for [the guys who have been away] to get back, get going, and get in rhythm.”
Nearing full strength, and feeling good about their last stretch of games, the Barber Poles are gelling together, according to Milley.
“I think our team now is starting to believe in each other,” he said. “It was a tough stretch there, we had lost seven in a row, but we were playing really well, and now we’re starting to get rewarded. Now the belief is coming, and the confidence is high.”
This week, the 67’s have another odd schedule, starting with the school day game tomorrow morning against the Kingston Frontenacs. Then, they’ll play Friday and Sunday, hosting the red-hot Oshawa Generals, and the Owen Sound Attack.
Meeting some high-powered attacks and stout defences, Milley is again highlighting that the key lies within, not through shaping the game plan for a particular opponent.
“The theme is always one game at a time,” Milley said. “The teams we’re playing these next three games are all really good, and they generate a lot of offence, so we have to be sharp in our details, and we have to play 60 minutes if we want to give ourselves a chance to win.”
