Barber Poles Cruise Past Fronts in Home Finale
The Ottawa 67’s came into Friday night’s tilt with the Kingston Frontenacs knowing what they needed to do. With the Peterborough Petes tied with them on points, and the Oshawa Generals just two points in front, earning a win was critical for playoff seeding. Against an offensively gifted Kingston team, the Barber Poles exploded for five goals, while stymying the Fronts’ attack. The 5-0 win was a fitting close to the 67’s home schedule.
“It was a huge win for us tonight,” said head coach Dave Cameron. “That was a good effort all around, from everyone. Our special teams were good, Max Donoso was good, and in the end, we got the result we wanted. Now it’s a quick turnaround, heading to Kingston tomorrow.”
The Barber Poles used the energy generated by the crowd of 5,161 inside The Arena at TD Place, and got the game started on the right foot, just under seven minutes into the game. Brady Stonehouse scored his 18th marker of the season, banging home a rebound off a Jack Beck shot. As is typically the case, Stonehouse sent the crowd into a frenzy with his electric celebration, and early on, the part was started!
If any fans started heading to the concourse for their intermission hot dog early, they made the wrong choice. With under two minutes to play in the opening frame, Vinzenz Rohrer laid a booming reverse hit on the Kingston defender and found himself wide open at the front of the goal. Rohrer picked up a wayward pass from the Fronts’ defenceman, and after fooling a pair of Frontenacs, he roofed a wicked shot over the shoulder of Aidan Spooner.
The second period offered numerous golden chances for the 67’s to extend their lead, but they couldn’t find the back of the net. Leading on the scoreboard 2-0, and on the shot clock 32-20, the 67’s headed to the third and final frame looking like the likely recipient of two points. Knowing how key those points would be, they came out for the third period and took full advantage of the opportunity.
It only took 54 seconds in the third for Jack Beck to score his 20th goal of the season. Already with a goal and an assist, Beck wasn’t done. He scored his 21st of the season six minutes later, giving the Barber Poles a comfortable 4-0 margin.
With six minutes to play, Will Gerrior salted the game away, picking the top corner and firing a laser. It was Gerrior’s sixth goal of the season, and his 20th point. He becomes the 12th member of the 67’s to reach to 20-point mark, and the fifth rookie to hit that milestone.
With the game comfortably out of reach, attention turned to another rookie on the Barber Poles squad, Max Donoso. As the seconds ticked away, he inched closer and closer to his first shutout in the Ontario Hockey League, a milestone he says he hoped he could tick off before the end of the season.
“You go into the game, and you’re not thinking about the shutout at all,” he said. “The win was more important than personal stuff, but I wanted to get it out of the way before the year ended.”
His 26-save performance was enough to earn him his first career shutout, but it was also key to earning the win. Donoso picked up the game’s first star for his efforts.
“We were amazing,” said Donoso. “Everyone was blocking shots, and I can’t thank them enough. I’ve got a super great support staff here, so it’s just amazing.”
Two massive points are now in the bank for the 67’s, but the work still isn’t done. As the rubber hits the road for a trip to Kingston for another meeting with the Frontenacs on Saturday afternoon, you can bet the 67’s will once again be well aware of what they need to do.
Game Notes
- Max Donoso registered his first career OHL shutout, stopping all 26 shots he faced.
- Jack Beck scored a pair of goals, and added an assist on Brady Stonehouse’s goal.
- Seven different members of the 67’s registered a point in the game.
- Vinzenz Rohrer reached the 25 goal mark.
Up next: The 67’s make a trip to Kingston to take on these same Frontenacs, on Saturday night at 7 pm ET. A win would clinch at least seventh place, with a chance to finish in sixth.
Game Highlights: Kingston at Ottawa
