Körbler scores twice as 67’s win in Peterborough
It’s not often that a rookie gets to play on the top line of a playoff Ontario Hockey League team, but Kimi Körbler is proving an exception to that rule, and deservedly so.
The Swiss import forward produced his second multi-goal game of a strong second half, Thursday night, scoring the first goal, and the game-winner as the Ottawa 67’s picked up a 4-2 win on the road against the Peterborough Petes.
It’s the fourth time of seven that Ottawa has knocked off the Petes, this season, this time dealing a blow to their rivals’ already slim playoff hopes.
Playing alongside 67’s captain Luca Pinelli, and overage forward Braeden Kressler, Körbler opened the scoring five seconds after the midway point of the opening period. The Davos native received a pass from Thomas Sirman at the point, and fired a shot along the ice that found its way past Liam Sztuska.
Unfortunately for Ottawa, their struggles on the penalty kill continued 1:12 later, when Quinton Pagé put a rebound past Ottawa net minder Ian Michelone, to tie the game.
Despite the 67’s outshooting Peterborough 53-22 when all was said and done, the game remained tight through two, as both teams traded goals to set up a 2-2 tie for the third period.
First it was Brady Stonehouse reaping the benefits of hard work down low by Will Gerrior, and Brad Gardiner to slide his 18th of the season home.
Not to be outdone, Ryder McIntyre converted on a 2-on-0 chance three and a half minutes later, evening the score.
Ottawa peppered Sztuska with shots in the third, but it took until the clock read 8:20 for the 67’s to get back in the lead. This time, it was Matthew Mayich, and Pinelli with a slick passing play to a streaking Körbler, and he made no mistake on what proved to be the game-winning one-timer.
The Petes had a chance in the final two minutes, pulling the goalie while on the man advantage, but Jacob Maillet sprung Frankie Marrelli, and the defender capped things off with an empty-netter.
The 67’s are back on home ice tomorrow night, hosting the Niagara IceDogs at 7:00pm.
