Lazarev shuts out Bulls 2-0 as 67's win their 4th straight

Leo Lazarev only needed to make 23 saves to earn his second OHL career shutout leading the 67’s to a 2-0 win over the Belleville Bulls. Alex Lintuniemi scored a goal and added an assist in the victory.

The 67’s skated into tonight’s game with a 4-point lead on the visiting Bulls for 4th spot in the Eastern Conference. The win not only increased their gap to 6-points, but also gets them within 1-point of the North Bay Battalion (who have 2 games in hand) for 3rd overall.

They had to do it without a couple key players in the lineup. Fresh off a couple dominating performances in last night’s CHL/NHL Top Prospects game, Travis Konecny and Liam Herbst did not see any action. Konecny, who had 2 goals, an assist and was name the game’s MVP, served the final of his 2-game suspension for a questionable slew-foot.

Meanwhile, Herbst dressed, but backed up Leo Lazarev.  Herbst with a well-earned rest before the team embarks on a journey that includes 4 games in 6 days starting Tuesday.

“It’s a nice problem to have two guys going right now,” coach Jeff Brown said about his goaltenders. “Until one of them gives me a reason not to, they are two goalies that are very confident and there are playing really good.”

The Bulls were also without their top three leading scorers including Jordan Subban, Niki Petti, and Brett Welychka.  It was clear that the Bulls missed their presence, especially on power play, where they went 0-for-3 with the man advantage including an early one in the first.

It was a competitive first period but uneventful as neither team got many good scoring chances. Still, both Lazarev and Kanata native Connor Hicks were sharp enough to maintain a shutout in the opening 20 minutes.

It wasn’t until 4:11 in the second period until a goaltender was beaten. Alex Lintuniemi accepted a cross-crease pass from Dante Salituro and made no mistake to slide it under Hicks legs on his glove side.

Both teams continued to compete with the scoring chances increasing as time wound down. The 67’s added a late goal in the 3rd period to give themselves some breathing room. Curtis Meighan picked up his 4th goal of the season off a rebound from Jeremiah Addison point shot. Despite a late push from the Bulls, the 67’s were able to hang on to 2-0 victory increasing their win streak to four games.

“At times real sloppy,” Brown said about the game overall. “Another great third period though. Just guys buying in and doing little things. That third period was just grinding it down again.” 

The 67’s are idle for the rest of the weekend but are back in action on Tuesday at TD Place against the first-in-the-CHL, Oshawa Generals. Tuesday kicks off a series of 4 games in 6 days ending with sold-out February 1st game against Connor McDavid and the Erie Otters.

Game Summary here.

Three Stars as selected by TSN1200

Hardest Working 67's: Jacob Middleton 

Lazarev with a glove save in traffic.

 Some pictures from the game:

Salituro leaning in for the face off.

Studnicka stick handling through traffic.

Click here for more pictures.