Mixed Results: Ottawa 67’s Defense Dominates, But Team Splits Week’s Two Games

Photo courtesy of Ottawa 67's

Over their two games this past week, the 67’s only allowed a combined 24 shots on goal. Ottawa began their week with a 6-3 win over North Bay on Family Day Monday. Sasha Chmelevski was the star of the game with a career-best performance in the afternoon matchup.

Chmelevski scored an astounding five goals, one shy of the all-time 67’s team record. He accounted for five of Ottawa’s six goals himself, all in the first two periods. Line mate Sam Bitten assisted on three of those goals.

“I think my energy during the game was very high and it allowed me to play really well,” said Chmelevski, following the game. “At the same time, I think my line mates did a great job giving me the puck, so I was fortunate to have a great night.”

Following a strong first period for Ottawa, the Battalion made it 2-1 in the second. But Chmelevski could not be contained. By force of his goal spree, the 67’s remained in control throughout the game.

Luke Moncada scored a short-handed marker with less than five minutes remaining in the second period but Chmelevski scored his fifth and final goal of the afternoon to put the Battalion away for good. In between the Chmelevski barrage, Tye Felhaber scored his 55^th goal of the season.

Michael DiPietro faced only 11 shots in the game, letting in three goals, while the 67’s put 20 shots on the North Bay goal in each of the first two periods.

Ottawa had little trouble putting shots on goal in the only other game of the week as well, a Friday night matchup with the Kingston Frontenacs. They outshot Kingston by an impressive margin, 39-13, but fell 3-2 on the road.

DiPietro started again and once again let in three goals. Kingston were perfect on the man advantage, succeeding on their only two power play opportunities of the evening. Adrien Beraldo scored both, first to open scoring in the opening period and then again in the second to build the Frontenac lead to two.

After Berlado’s second goal of the evening, the 67’s came right back with two goals of their own. Graeme Clark scored on the power play in the second period and then Kody Clark found the net later in the frame.

Kingston’s Ryan Cranford scored the game-winning goal midway through the third period in the back-and-forth affair. Ottawa had its opportunities in the last 15 seconds of the game, with multiple shots on goal from in close, but Kingston kept the puck out and held on for the win.

The 67’s remain 12 points up on the Niagara IceDogs for first place in the Eastern Conference, a comfortable lead with just nine games remaining in the OHL regular season.  

Ottawa will travel to Barrie on Thursday and Hamilton on Friday before returning home to host the Mississauga Steelheads on Sunday afternoon.