A game in which the Ottawa 67’s looked poised to cruise to victory suddenly narrowed late, Friday night, but they held on to win their eighth straight.
Brad Gardiner, Luca Pinelli, Cam Tolnai, and Thomas Sirman paved the way to a 4-1 lead on the road against the Hamilton Bulldogs, but a late rally powered by multiple man advantages brought it to 4-3. Nevertheless, Max Donoso and the 67’s shut the door, and improved to 17-1-0 on the season.
The 67’s again came roaring out of the gate, stoking themselves to a 3-0 lead before the first period had elapsed.
8:16 in, Anthony Costantini and Will Gerrior combined to set up Gardiner with a beautiful play, and the 2023 NHL Draft prospect went backhand-shelf on Matteo Drobac to open the scoring.
Just before the 16-minute mark of the opening frame, Pinelli scooped up the rebound of a Chris Barlas shot, and banked home his 11th of the year, against his hometown team, making it 2-0 in favour of the 67’s.
It took less than a minute and a half from there, but they found the third goal courtesy of Tolnai. Nashville Predators prospect Jack Matier threw the puck on net, and Brady Stonehouse’s between-the-legs shot was stopped, but the OA forward was there to scoop up the rebound for his 10th of the campaign.
In the second period, Ottawa Senators draft pick Jorian Donovan got one back for Hamilton, but a quick shot by Sirman from the half-boards with less than five minutes to go found its way past new goaltender Tristan Malboeuf, and the 67’s headed to the third up 4-1.
Noah Van Vliet scored for the Bulldogs 5:22 in, however, and Logan Morrison found the twine on the powerplay with less than six minutes to go, cutting the Ottawa lead to 4-3.
Despite having to kill off penalty after penalty in the dying minutes, the 67’s held firm. The Bulldogs thought they had tied the game with 35 seconds to go, but Donoso came across the crease to make a sprawling save with his blocker arm, and secure his 11th win of the season, and 17th for the Barber Poles.
The 67’s continue their road swing on Sunday, with a 2:00pm visit to the Mississauga Steelheads.
Game Notes:
- Brad Gardiner, and Luca Pinelli each tied Brady Stonehouse with a team-high 11 goals.
- Anthony Costantini is on a five-game point streak.
- Assisting on Cam Tolnai’s goal, Jack Matier has points in seven straight, and Stonehouse in three straight.
- Tolnai (10) matched his career high in goals, and Thomas Sirman (3) surpassed his.
- Jack Dever and Cooper Foster extended their point streaks to six, and five games, respectively.
- Max Donoso has won five consecutive starts, and is now 11-1-0 on the season.
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