Addison scores twice in 67's first regulation loss on home ice

Two streaks were snapped as the 67’s fell 4-3 to the Kitchener Rangers in Ottawa Sunday afternoon. 

 

The loss was the first regulation loss of the season on home ice for the 67’s who were off to a stellar 9-0-1-0 start in the newly renovated TD Place. Meanwhile, the Rangers win ended their 3-game losing streak.

“It’s hard to get a win in this rink,” said Rangers forward Curtis Meighan, an Ottawa native. “I’ve been in the league for four years now and I think this is our first one here.” 

With both teams wrapping up exhausting three-game weekends, the first period got off to a slow start. The 67’s were given a chance midway through the period when Curtis Meighan took a double-minor for high-sticking. The 67’s were unable to capitalize on the four-minute powerplay, not even registering a shot on Kitchener goaltender Matthew Greenfield.

 

Photo: Robert Lefebvre / www.icelevel.com

“It’s quite simple,” said 67’s head coach Jeff Brown. “If five outwork four, you’re going to have success.”

 

“We just passed around the perimeter.”

 

The Rangers put themselves on the board first when defenceman Doug Blaisdell fired a shot over the shoulder of 67’s goaltender Liam Herbst 4:43 into the second period.
 

Less than a minute later, Rangers forward Adam Mascherin took the team’s second double-minor for a high-stick on Ottawa’s Brendan Bell, who left the ice to get stitched up.

Despite no real scoring chances on their second four-minute powerplay of the game, momentum shifted to the 67’s for the remainder of the period. With 3:39 to go, Jeremiah Addison beat Greenfield to tie the game. Moments later with 51 seconds left in the period, Bell wrapped the puck around the net and passed to Addison who tipped it in. The 67’s ended the second with a 2-1 lead.

Photo: Robert Lefebvre / www.icelevel.com

Kitchener’s Brandon Robinson tied the game just 46 seconds into the third period when a pass from Meighan hit his skate and slid past Herbst. The Rangers took back the lead a little over 10 minutes later. Jason Bailey grabbed the puck from a faceoff on the right of Herbst and carried it to the front of the net before taking his shot.

Twenty-two seconds later, Darby Llewellyn took a shot from a wide angle to Herbst’s left and beat the Ottawa goalie who was becoming visibly frustrated.

The 67’s held onto hope of extending their home record to 10-0-1-0 though. Alex Lintuniemi and Travis Konecny carried the play and set up Erik Bradford who scored his eighth goal of the season with just over five minutes left in the game.

But it wasn’t enough. The 67’s only managed one more good scoring chance when Dante Salituro started to break away with the puck moments later, but was quickly stopped with a big hit from Max Iafrate.

Photo: Robert Lefebvre / www.icelevel.com

“We’re making huge mental errors,” said Brown after the game, acknowledging the exhausting schedule, but placing the blame on the team’s play. “It’s been happening for two or three weeks.”

“The schedule certainly has something to do with it but it’s the mental decisions that are killing us right now.”

Addison’s two-goal game earned him first star, but the Brampton native would have preferred a different outcome.

“I was fortunate enough to get two goals,” he said. “But I really wish we could have come out on top.”

Brown was pleased with Addison’s efforts in Sunday’s matchup, but would like to see more consistency out of him.

“He can shoot it. Addy’s been a little up and down this year but I’m really pleased with the way he’s come on since the beginning,” he said. “We obviously need him scoring.”

Brown said the team will participate in some yoga Monday to rest up before preparing for Wednesday night’s matchup in Belleville against the Bulls.

Three Stars
1) Jeremiah Addison, Ottawa 67's
2) Curtis Meighan, Kitchener Rangers
3) Doug Blaisdell, Kitchener Rangers

Game sheet here.