GAME RECAP: Foster flourishes as 67’s surge past IceDogs
On the back of a three game losing streak, the 67’s let out all of their pent-up power in a 7-1 win over the Niagara IceDogs.
“I think we played good,” said Ekberg. “I think our whole line (with Cooper Foster and Nic Whitehead) played good.”
“We were on pucks a lot, getting pucks to the net,” said Foster. “We just know where each other are, we communicate well.”
“We’re a smaller line, but we move the puck really fast and move our feet; it’s hard for teams to defend.”
It didn’t take long before Frankie Marrelli was able to find the twine and bring Ottawa up 1-0. Cooper Foster would pick up an assist on the goal, matching his career high in points with 53. After killing off a penalty kill early in the game, Foster would take a stick up high, drawing a four minute high sticking call. Ekberg would connect with the net with his shot deflecting off a defender and flying past IceDogs goaltender Vladislav Yermolenko on the powerplay to put the 67’s up 2-0. However, the IceDogs would pick up yet another penalty in the dying seconds of the first to start the second down two goals and two players.
The 67’s powerplay success tonight has been the result of a heightened emphasis from coach Dave Cameron on special teams at practice.
“(Dave) is talking about it everyday, that we need a really good powerplay and penalty kill to get far in the playoffs,” said Ekberg.
While the IceDogs would kill off the remaining powerplays, Foster would finish a cross-crease pass from Ekberg and put Ottawa up 3-0. After two massive saves from Yermolenko, including stacking the pads, Thomas Vandenberg would net Ottawa their fourth of the game. The IceDogs would finally get one of their own, with 2026 NHL draft eligible Ryerson Edgar potting in a rebound to finish the period 4-1.
Jasper Kuhta would keep the offense going for Ottawa to start the third. Then, Foster would get on the board again, deflecting a puck in the net for his 200th point.
“200 points is a big milestone for me,” said Foster. “But, I’m just focusing on winning games right now.”
He’d later pot another on the power play for his hat trick, to put Ottawa up 7-1.
Jaeden Nelson was quietly exceptional, stopping 30 of 31 shots; tracking the pucks well, keeping composed and remaining positional. He credits a shift in mindsight to his success tonight.
“Little bit of a shift in mindset over the last week, which was to be more present and be very much in the moment,” said Nelson. “Next shot, next save mentality.”
“Being in the moment—one minute, one second at a time—rather than focusing on the outcome and putting extra pressure on myself.”
The win snaps the 67’s losing streak at three games, while extending the IceDogs to three games.
“I feel like the last three games we played pretty good,” said Foster.
“Kitchener, we were one bounce away from winning that game, and Barrie came down to special teams,” he said. “Tonight we showed we can play an intense game against a lower seeded team… I thought we can build off of that game, too.”
“From here on out, every game matters against every team,” he said. “We have to practice hard tomorrow and be ready for Sunday.”
Box score
| Teams | Score | Shots on goal | Power plays |
| Ottawa | 7 | 36 | 2/7 |
| Niagara | 1 | 31 | 0/4 |
First period
#8 Frankie Marrelli (8) scores. Assists: #29 Cooper Foster
#34 Filip Ekberg (20) scores. Assists: #13 Ondrej Ruml, #8 Frankie Marrelli
Second Period
#29 Cooper Foster (23) scores. Assists: #34 Filip Ekberg, #10 Nic Whitehead
#37 Thomas Vandenberg (20) scores. Assists: #22 Jasper Kuhta, #19 Kohyn Eshkawkogan
#17 Ryerson Edgar (19) scores. Assists: #16 Hayden Reid, #3 Ben Reisnecker
Third Period
#22 Jasper Kuhta (28) scores. Assists: #28 Sam McCue, #12 Spencer Bowes
#29 Cooper Foster (24) scores. Assists: #10 Nic Whitehead, #23 Connor Bewick
#29 Cooper Foster (25) scores. Assists: #10 Nic Whitehead, #22 Jasper Kuhta
Up next
The 67’s hit the ice again at TD Place on Sunday, welcoming the North Bay Battalion at 3 p.m. for a game presented by Real Canadian Superstore. Fans can buy tickets to the game here.
