Ottawa 67’s Wrap-Up Yet Another 3-0 Week, Inch Closer to Clinching Conference

Photo credit: Ottawa 67's

The Ottawa 67’s remain comfortably on top of the Eastern Conference after yet another undefeated week. With three wins, the 67’s are now 18 points ahead of the second-place Sudbury Wolves.

Ottawa started the week by rolling into Kingston for a Wednesday night matchup with the Frontenacs, the worst team in the Eastern Conference.

Sasha Chmelevski opened the scoring and Kingston struck back with a goal of their own from forward Nick Wong. But before the first period was through, Lucas Chiodo scored late to once again put the 67’s ahead.

Austen Keating and Merrick Rippon scored in the second period to make it three unanswered goals for Ottawa heading into the final frame.

Wong scored his second of the game with a power play goal midway through the third period. It cut the Ottawa lead to two but the 67’s were able to closeout the game from there.

Although Wong scored on the man advantage, the Frontenacs’ inefficiency on the power play really sunk them in the game. They were only able to convert once on six opportunities. Rookie goaltender Will Cranley stopped 19 shots for his fourth victory of the season. 

Cedrick Andree was back in goal on Friday night for his OHL-leading 31^st win of the season in the 67’s 8-1 drubbing of the Hamilton Bulldogs. It was Ottawa’s first of two games back at TD Place Arena this past weekend.

Forward Kyle Maksimovich scored three times, notching his second hat trick already since his trade to the 67’s. Maksimovich scored on three of his four shots, including one short handed.

The teams were tied 1-1 at the end of the first period. From there, Ottawa outshot Hamilton 22-15 and outscored them seven to nothing. Chmelevski had two goals and three points overall. Seven different 67’s finished with at least two points. One such player was defenseman Kevin Bahl, who was also a +4 in the game. 

Ottawa completed their perfect week with a 6-3 win over the Kitchener Rangers on Sunday afternoon. The 67’s finished strong with three consecutive goals in the third period to runaway with the game.

Austen Keating scored twice and added two assists. It was Keating’s goal in the third period that ended up being the game winner.

“Kitchener is a really resilient team that came back really strong in the second period and took it to us but I think that’s something we needed and it was really good to see the guys stick together and come back in the third to get those two points,” said Keating after the game.

Maksimovich once again found the net for his fourth goal of the week. D-man Noel Hoefenmayer scored his 15^th goal of the season to set a brand-new career high.

Rangers forward Greg Meireles tallied two goals, including one on the power play and one midway through the second period to tie the game at three.

Kitchener scored once on the power play but Ottawa limited their opportunities by only taking three penalties. That was critical given the matchup, because the Rangers boast the most productive power play unit in the OHL.

Michael DiPietro returned from his brief stint with the Vancouver Canucks to pickup the win in goal. He was the third different 67’s goal to start in net for Ottawa last week.

There is now just over a month remaining in the OHL regular season. Ottawa has already wrapped up a playoff spot and are well on their way to securing the top spot in the conference.

The 67’s will play only twice this week, starting with a home game on Monday afternoon against the North Bay Battalion. They will then travel to Kingston on Friday night for yet another matchup with the Frontenacs.