Depleted 67’s grind out road win vs Generals
With injuries, and illness trimming their lineup to 10 forwards and seven defencemen, the Ottawa 67’s had no interest in excuses during their visit to the Oshawa Generals, Friday night.
At the 18:04 mark of the third period, Generals net minder Jacob Oster attempted to freeze the puck after a Frankie Marrelli point shot, but couldn’t quite smother it long enough to stop play. The puck squirted loose, and Cooper Foster corralled it home for his sixth of the season. It proved to be the game-winner, as the 67’s held on for a 2-1 victory.
Generals overager Connor Lockhart made it a one-goal game 7:57 into the final period, and Oshawa appeared to have the tying marker soon after, but video review showed that a powerplay goal actually bounced off the underside of the crossbar, never crossing the goal line.
It was all the cushion that Ottawa needed, thanks to another brilliant performance by their goaltender. Starting his fourth straight game due to a Collin MacKenzie injury, Max Donoso made 41 saves — three shy of his career high — en route to his fifth win of the season. Local product Jaeden Nelson dressed for his first OHL game, in backup duty after committing to the 67’s on Wednesday.
The 67’s got the offence started late in the first period, despite being outshot 13-8 in the frame, and 42-23 throughout the course of the night. With just over a minute to go in the opening 20, Marrelli made a slick end-to-end rush, dishing the puck to Will Gerrior in the Oshawa slot, and banging home the rebound of Gerrior’s shot.
Ottawa held the lead through a scoreless second period, that was punctuated by fight between Edmonton Oilers prospect Brady Stonehouse, and Lockhart.
Now leading the season series two games to one, the 67’s will have a quick turnaround, facing these same Generals on Saturday afternoon at 3:00pm, inside The Arena at TD Place.
GAME NOTES:
- Max Donoso’s 41 saves are the most he has made during a win in his OHL career.
- Frankie Marrelli (1G 1A) secured his first multi-point effort of the season.
- Matthew Mayich (1A) has three points in his last four games.
- Cooper Foster (1G) has five points in as many games.
