Game Sheets: Weekend Preview – Mar. 19
By: Steve Irving – Ottawa67s.com Staff
Photo: Valerie Wutti – Blitzen Photography
The playoff picture will come down to the final weekend for the Ottawa 67’s and with two of their remaining three games at home (Friday and Sunday) it’s a great weekend to plan to be at TD Place with everyone you know. Great seats remain for both games but they’re going fast.
The weekend starts early with a road game tonight in North Bay that has huge playoff implications. The Battalion sit 2 points up on Ottawa in 3rd place but since they have fewer regulation wins, if we tie them in points we actually take that number 3 position. A win tonight matched with a Niagara loss to Barrie would guarantee the 67’s at least 4th place and home ice in the first round. On Friday, the Peterbourgh Petes visit TD Place and then Sunday afternoon we wrap-up the regular season at home against Sudbury. 67’s rank 7th on the power play and 2nd on the penalty kill.
North Bay Battalion
Tonight’s matchup is critical for that 3rd seed in the Eastern Conference. North Bay made it all the way to the OHL final last season but they’re only .500 in their last 10 games so opportunity knocks. These teams have played each other tight this season with 2 of 3 games being decided by 1 goal. North Bay holds a season series advantage 2-1. North Bay is led in scoring by Mike Amadio. The Battalion ranked 8th on the power play and 5th on the penalty kill.
Peterborough Petes
The Petes are battling for the last playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Kemptville boy Eric Cornel, a 2nd round pick of the Buffalo Sabres, leads the Petes in scoring. The Petes play Sudbury tonight looking to end a 4 game losing skid. The 67’s have a 5-2 advantage in the season series. Peterborough is ranked 15th on both special teams.
Sudbury Wolves
It has been a season to forget for the Wolves. This will be Sudbury’s only visit of the year to TD Place. The Wolves have improved lately getting 3 of their 12 wins this season in their last 10. The Wolves are led in scoring by rookie Pavel Jenys. The 67’s dominated the Wolves in their first match of the year 7-0. Sudbury is last on the man advantage and 14th on the penalty kill.
