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February 21, 2014

67's lose 6-3 as the Knights spoil Herbst's return


If anyone wanted to win this game more than another, it was Liam Herbst who appeared in his first game back in London since being traded earlier this season. Herbst made quite the impression stopping 57 of 62 shots, but it wasn't enough as his Ottawa 67's fell 6-3 to the London Knights this evening. 

The 67's penalty troubles continued to loom early in the game. Dante Salituro took an penalty less than two minutes into the opening frame, but it wasn't until the Knights' second powerplay that they would open the scoring. Gemel Smith picked up his team leading 14th powerplay goal of the season. 


Late in the third, the 67's found themselves on the board after Tyler Hill capitalized on a giveaway and snapped the puck past Jake Patterson to tie the game.  But that tie would prove to be short lived. 

Just 31 seconds after the Hill goal, Max Domi notched his 30th of the seasons to regain the Knights' 1-goal lead.  It could have easily been 5-1 after the first period if not for Herbst standing tall and making 22 saves.

The 67's took their first lead of the game after Travis Konecny and Erik Bradford scored 6 minutes apart in the second period to lead 3-2.  But for the second time in the game, the score was short lived. Only six seconds later, Ryan Rupert tied the game at 3. The Knights put another 22 shots at the Ottawa net and led 45-22 on the shot clock after 40 minutes. 

It was all Knights in the final frame. A shorthanded goal from Matt Rupert kicked off the scoring and regained the lead. Herbst held them at 4-3 until Rupert added his second of the night late in the game. Brett Welychka rounded out the scoring with an empty net goal giving the Knights a 6-3 win. 

The 67's only mustered up 4 shots in the third. Meanwhile they allowed 18 more shots for a total of 63 throughout the game. The 67's drop their third straight game but still remain in the East's final playoff position with 44 points. They had a great opportunity to leapfrog the Mississauga Steelheads but now still remain two points back with a game in hand. The 67's will try again tomorrow night when they travel to Sarnia to face the Sting. 

Game sheet here: http://www.ontariohockeyleague.com/schedule/show/game/66767

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