Foster strikes again: 67’s down Generals in overtime
It was deja vu for the Oshawa Generals in their third visit to The Arena at TD Place, Wednesday night.
Just as it was on November 25, the Ottawa 67’s held a 2-0 lead over their divisional rivals, before Oshawa rallied to tie the score, and send the game to overtime.
Unfortunately for Oshawa, that was where the favourable repetition ended, as for the second consecutive meeting, Cooper Foster scored in overtime to give the home side the 3-2 win.
In similar fashion, the goal was a gorgeous one, though a bit earlier in the sudden death period. Brady Stonehouse made a terrific play to spring the Pittsburgh Penguins prospect, who beat Jacob Oster with a beautiful backhand move, to send the home crowd happy.
Max Donoso was again stellar in goal, making 32 saves for his eighth win of the season.
With the victory, the 67’s take sole possession of first place in the Eastern Conference for the first time this season.
Ottawa hit the scoresheet first, as their powerplay kept on humming, as it has of late. Derek Smyth found Stonehouse at the top of the right circle, and his “shot-pass” was deflected in by Chris Barlas, whose fourth of the season made it 1-0.
In a tight-checking Wednesday-nighter that didn’t see a lot of offence, Barlas’ marker was the only scoring until 2:40 into the second period. This time, it was Caden Kelly taking a shot from the half-wing boards that was tipped home by Will Gerrior, again fooling Oster with a deflection, for a 2-0 lead.
Determined to not let this one slip by them, the Generals turned up the heat once again, and a defensive miscue by Ottawa ended up in the back of their net, off the stick of Stuart Roofs, cutting the lead to one.
Midway through the third, a tic-tac-toe passing play was capped off by local product Matthew Buckley, again tying the game, and sending it to the extra period.
Last time, Foster took until there were less than three seconds on the clock to walk it off, but this time, he only needed 41 seconds, converting on the breakaway chance, and subsequently being mobbed by his teammates in jubilation.
Now winners of three of their last four, with points in all of those games, the 67’s turn their attention to their rival Peterborough Petes, who they have yet to beat in two tries on the season. Puck drop is set for 7:00pm on Friday, inside The Arena at TD Place.
