There are many storylines to take from a 12-1-0 start, but the Ottawa 67’s have a feel-good one in Brad Gardiner.
After suiting up in 53 games a season ago, and scoring three goals altogether, the Aurora, Ontario native has a team-high nine to start the campaign, including two in tonight’s 4-2 67’s win over the Peterborough Petes.
Though the skilled young forward credits his offseason regimen for the increase in production, it’s also a shift in mentality that has him producing to start the season.
“Coming in heavier this year definitely feels a lot better in the corners,” said Gardiner. “ But it’s obviously the confidence that contributes to progress, too.”
Head Coach Dave Cameron, now 14th all-time in OHL history with 401 career wins, has also been pleased with what he’s seen from his second-year player.
“The big thing about Gards’ is that he put the work in this summer,” said Cameron. “He came back a different person in terms of the amount of weight he put on. He’s physically grown, and with that comes confidence.”
Fellow draft prospect Luca Pinelli, and Montreal Canadiens pick Vinzenz Rohrer supplied the rest of the offence. Max Donoso made 17 saves for his league-leading eighth win of the campaign.
In something of a reversal of fortunes from last week’s meeting, the Petes got on the board first. 7:02 into the frame, J.R. Avon deflected home a centring pass from Justin DeZoete, giving the visitors a 1-0 lead.
Just over seven minutes later, though, Will Gerrior threw the puck on net, and Gardiner crashed the goalmouth to bang the rebound past Liam Szustka, evening the score at 1-1.
After the first period ended in a 1-1 tie, and 9-8 shots on goal advantage for the 67’s, the even play continued into the second. The Barber Poles killed off a penalty, and riding that wave of momentum, took their first lead of the game. It was Gardiner coming through again; taking a setup from Jack Dever, and going top shelf on the backhand for his second of the night.
Early in the third, with the 67’s on the powerplay, Brady Stonehouse got the puck to Cam Tolnai at the half-wing boards, and the overage forward connected on slick cross-ice feed to Pinelli, who made no mistake for his seventh of the campaign.
Tommy Purdeller’s first OHL goal made it a 3-2 game over a minute later, but a late Petes rally was stifled by Donoso.
Adding insult to injury, Rohrer tipped home a Jack Matier shot with just over three minutes to play, and the 67’s earned a hard-fought 4-2 victory.
Game Notes:
- With Cam Tolnai’s assist, he extends his point streak to nine games.
- Vinzenz Rohrer has points in five straight, and seven over that span.
- Luca Pinelli had a goal and an assist, for his sixth multi-point effort of the campaign.
- Jack Dever’s assist on Gardiner’s goal is his first point of the season.
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