GAME RECAP: 67’s shut out Spirit
The Ottawa 67’s played a tight and disciplined game, securing a massive 6-0 win over the Saginaw Spirit to bring their win streak to six straight.
“I thought it was an awesome game,” said Frankie Marrelli. “Every guy played well tonight, and the score showed it.”
“Saginaw has great offensive forwards,” said Marrelli. “Having Fetty on the backend helps things out a lot; he was killer tonight and helped out the d-corps a lot.”
From the get-go, the 67’s controlled play, with the Barber Poles getting five straight shots to start the game. Nic Whitehead would find twine on the breakaway, pushing the puck past Stepan Shurygin’s five-hole on a breakaway for the 1-0 lead. The 67’s physical play proved to be challenging for the Spitfires. Spitznagel would land a massive hit that would get called for a charge, it ended up being a momentum breaker for the Spirit, who would toe the line as the period went on, getting called on three straight penalties.
“We needed a little juice to get going, and one way to do that is to land a big hit,” said Teddy Spitznagel. While Spitznagel has still been left off the scoresheet, his game has seen massive leaps as he’s gained his feet and confidence since joining the team.
“My billets are awesome; I am staying with Nic Whitehead’s parents and Connor Bewick,” he said. “There’s always good food, good company.”
The 67’s would get another chance on the power play to start the second, drawing a hooking call in the offensive zone. This time, they’d sink the goal on the man advantage thanks to a snipe by Kohyn Eshkawkogan to put the Barber Poles up 2-0. After that, momentum was squarely favouring Ottawa with Frankie Marrelli, Spencer Bowes and Sam McCue picking up goals. Eshkawkogan would get another on a 2-1, finishing a pass by Spencer Bowes to finish the period 6-0.
As for his two-point game tonight and recent offensive surge, Marrelli credits settling his game down. “Letting things come to me and not chasing it and then good things happen,” said Marrelli. “All of it starts at practice; if you are confident at practice, it becomes routine.”
All the while, Ottawa continued to play hard and heavy.
“The physical side involves me in the game more–it makes it fun, and it makes the other team not want to come down my side and wear them down all game,” he said of the physical side of his game.
Despite the 67’s monumental lead, no team gave an inch in the third. The 67’s sat back and played a structured game, the same one that let them rally earlier, but focusing on locking down completely. Ottawa would keep the Saginaw to just four shots in the third, cementing the 6-0 victory.
The cohesion on the ice has proven to be a byproduct of their chemistry off the ice, and despite the new additions at the deadline, that closeness remains the x-factor to the team’s success thus far.
“This is a really close team, for sure; everybody loves each other,” said Spitznagel. “That’s really important to winning hockey, having that bond–that brotherly bond–with your teammates.”
Box score
| Teams | Score | Shots on goal | Power plays |
| Ottawa | 6 | 28 | 1/4 |
| Saginaw | 0 | 16 | 0/1 |
First period
#10 Nic Whitehead (17) scores.
Second Period
#19 Kohyn Eshkawkogan (5) scores. Assists: #29 Cooper Foster, #37 Thomas Vandenberg
#8 Frankie Marrelli (5) scores. Assists: #34 Filip Ekberg, #11 Shaan Kingwell
#12 Spencer Bowes (12) scores. Assists: #22 Jasper Kuhta
#28 Sam McCue (11) scores. Assists: #29 Cooper Foster, #8 Frankie Marrelli
#19 Kohyn Eshkawkogan (6) scores. Assists: #12 Spencer Bowes
Third Period
Up next
The 67’s return Friday the 30th to TD Place for a 7 p.m. matchup where they’ll welcome the Peterborough Petes. Fans can buy tickets to the game here.
Jacob Titus
Writer, Ottawa 67’s
