Ottawa 67’s forward Cooper Foster scored three goals in two games against the Oshawa Generals through Friday and Saturday but none bigger than the last one.

After Dylan Roobroeck tied the game for Oshawa with 23 seconds on the clock, it would have been easy for the 67’s to feel deflated. A fluky goal that bounced off the hulking forward’s chest had them heading into overtime in a 2-2 tie in their second game in less than 24 hours, but Ottawa wasn’t content to settle for three of four points.

With three seconds remaining in overtime, Foster took a pass from Henry Mews at the side of the goal, and chipped his second of the game past Jacob Oster, to give the 67’s a big 3-2 win over their divisional rivals.

“[Luca Pinelli] and [Mews] made a great play, and I ended up burying it,” said Foster. “It felt great, we’ve been battling really hard the last two days so it was nice to get another win.”

Though Foster’s two goals were the difference, the 67’s received another outstanding goaltending performance from Max Donoso, who made 35 saves for the win.

“He was unreal,” Foster said of his goaltender. “It’s been a tough couple of weeks for him while [Collin MacKenzie] has been out, and he’s played great.”

It was Foster opening the scoring, 8:25 in. With the 67’s on the powerplay, the Pittsburgh Penguins prospect deflected home a Nic Whitehead shot, for a 1-0 lead.

The goal was the only scoring through a feisty, physical first period, with these two teams having lost no love after last night’s contest.

Early in the second, it was Whitehead again making a slick feed, this time a stretch pass to Will Gerrior. “The Generator” streaked down the right side into the Oshawa zone, and fired a bullet of a shot short side, to make it 2-0 Ottawa.

Local product Connor Lockhart converted on a one-timer early in the third, and in the final minute with the net empty, a Rasmus Kumpulainen shot bounced off the chest of Roobroeck and past Donoso, for a crushing tying marker.

Both teams traded chances in overtime, but it was Foster coming through again, with barely any time left on the clock to deliver the victory.

“This group is incredibly competitive,” said Assistant Coach Paul Stoykewych. “We never question their effort after a game. I’d call that one a gutsy win”

The 67’s aren’t done yet, however, capping off their three-in-three weekend tomorrow afternoon, hosting the Windsor Spitfires at 2:00pm.

With injuries, and a tough bit of schedule again staring them in the face, you can bet one thing is for certain: the effort won’t slip.