67’s lock up first place with win over Generals

For the third time in the last four seasons, and sixth in franchise history, the Ottawa 67’s have won the Hamilton Spectator Trophy, as the Ontario Hockey League’s top regular season team.

They secured the tremendous achievement with a 4-3 road win over the Oshawa Generals, Friday night, taking the season series 7-1. Luca Pinelli, Logan Morrison, Cooper Foster, and Cameron Tolnai scored the goals, with Collin MacKenzie making 20 saves for his 18th win of the season.

The 67’s kicked off a frenetic first period, with a powerplay goal at the 4:35 mark. Jack Beck fed Jack Matier at the point, who hit Pinelli at the top of the circle, and the 2023 NHL Draft prospect let go a laser of a shot that zipped past Jacob Oster, for a 1-0 lead.

Oshawa logged a response soon after, though, with two goals in just over a minute from Luke Torrance, and Ty Petrou, respectively, giving the home side a 2-1 lead before the midway point of the period.

Fortunately for Ottawa, they found themselves on the powerplay once again, late in the frame. A point shot by Pavel Mintyukov was stopped by Oster, but parked on the doorstep was Morrison to bang home the rebound, and extend his point streak to 10 games, in the process.

Before the period was out, Beck hit Foster in stride as he roared into the offensive zone, and fired a wrist shot that beat Oster, and restored the 67’s lead.

Ottawa notched the only goal of the second, when Tolnai blasted home a Brad Gardiner feed for his 24th goal of the season, and a 4-2 lead.

A little over five minutes into the third, Oshawa found themselves on a powerplay of their own, and Ryan Gagnier slid the puck past MacKenzie, cutting the Ottawa advantage to one.

Despite the narrower margin, the Barber Poles held on, to secure another regular season championship.

The 67’s will enjoy a well-earned reprieve, before visiting the Peterborough Petes on Thursday night, at 7:05pm.

Game Notes:

• With six regular season championships, the 67’s are now tied for the second most in OHL history.
• Pavel Mintyukov extended his point streak to 10 games.
• Jack Matier has points in five straight.
• Jack Beck is on a three-game point streak.