67’s dominate Generals in Game 1 romp

The Ottawa 67’s look like a much different team than they were in last year’s playoffs.

The Barber Poles came roaring out of the gate for their Round 1 series against the Oshawa Generals, cruising to a 7-0 win, Thursday night, at Gatineau’s Centre Slush Puppie. Luca Pinelli, Frankie Marrelli, and Jack Matier each scored a pair, with Collin MacKenzie earning a 16-save shutout in his postseason debut.

“It’s our first win, we went 0-4 last year so it’s our first playoff win [with this group],” said Head Coach Dave Cameron. “It was a real complete effort from everybody, we did a lot of good things.”

The first period may have lacked some of playoff hockey’s usual flash, but it was a near-perfect defensive performance but the 67’s, who didn’t surrender a shot on goal in the entire frame. Sound play soon paid off, with Pinelli’s first of the night. The NHL Draft prospect drove the net, and corralled a Will Gerrior rebound, opening the scoring.

Pinelli capitalized again soon after, backhanding another juicy rebound past Jacob Oster, for a 2-0 lead.

While Oshawa finally got on the shot clock in the middle frame, their scoreboard situation didn’t improve. With just under seven minutes to play, Marrelli rifled a shot from the circle that found a home up high, and Stonehouse jammed a loose puck past Oster at the 17:39 mark, for a 4-0 advantage.

In the final period, Matier beat Oster short side just 3:34 in, and in the final six minutes, Marrelli found his second of the night, before Matier pounced on a loose puck at the goal mouth, clinching the 7-0 victory.

The 67’s now turn their attention to Game 2, Sunday afternoon.

“You don’t take this team for granted,” said Pinelli. “They’re a good team. They can bring it to us. We’ve got to be ready for each game, prepare the same way, don’t let loose and keep on going.”

Game 2 goes down Sunday at 2:00pm, from Gatineau.