This could be the end of the line for 67′s captain Marc Zanetti after the overager was handed his second suspension of the playoffs for kicking Tom Kuhnhackl in the head after the forward scored the opening goal of the game in Niagara.
The 67′s weren’t happy about the way Kuhnhackl scored — pushing Petr Mrazek and the puck across the line midway through the third to take a 1-0 lead in a game the IceDogs would win 2-1 in overtime.
Jake Cardwell shoved Kuhnhackl to the ice, where Zanetti skated behind the net and kicked the back of his helmet as he lay on the ice.
Kuhnhackl was unhurt, and there was no penalty on the play.
Unfortunately, the kicking incident overshadows what was a gutsy performance by the underdog 67′s, particularly Mrzaek, who made 49 saves in the loss.
Given Zanetti’s history — he was suspended 5 games for spearing Stephen Silas in the warmup prior to Game 2 of their opening round series against Belleville — expect the suspension to be a long one.
Long enough that the 67′s can expect to be without him for the remainder of the playoffs — and therefore the overager’s junior career.
Zanetti suspended… again
7th Heaven for 67′s
The 67′s have accomplished the improbable by forcing a Game 7 on home ice in their second round series against the Barrie Colts.
After getting off on the right foot against the Colts in a 5-1 win in Game 1, goaltender Mathias Niederberger stole the series, making an astounding 65 saves in a double OT win in Game 2, then winning both games in Barrie to take a 3-1 stranglehold on the series.
But the 67′s didn’t quit.
Tyler Toffoli scored his third game-winner of the playoffs in a 2-1 win at home in Game 5, just 24 hours after a crushing loss in Game 4 on the road.
Owner Jeff Hunt sprang for a charter jet out of Barrie, making the trip home in 45 minutes while the Colts faced a 5-hour drive for Game 5.
The plan seemed to work, as the 67′s dominated the Colts early and hung on for the win.
In Game 6, the 67′s staked a 3-0 lead by the middle of the second period, and withstood a furious Colts comeback to hang on for a 3-2 victory.
That sets up Game 7 Tuesday night back in the friendly confines of the Civic Centre.
But, considering recent history, this is no gimme.
The 67′s are 0-2 in their past two Game 7s on home ice, losing to the Niagara IceDogs in Brian Kilrea’s final game as head coach, and losing Game 7 on home ice to the Mississauga St. Mike’s Majors in Chris Byrne’s first turn as head coach.
The puck drops at 7 p.m.
Toffoli player of the week
Tyler Toffoli was named OHL player of the week Monday after posting his eighth goal of the playoffs in a 3-2 double OT loss to the Barrie Colts.
Toffoli has scored at least one point in every playoff game this year, and began the week by scoring both goals in the series-clinching win over the Bulls in Belleville.
Where’s Petr?
The Ottawa 67′s are starting Michael Nishi in net for this crucial matchup against the Niagara IceDogs.
That makes a bit of sense, since Petr Mrazek, the undisputed No. 1 goalie in Ottawa, was shelled 5-1 in a home loss to the IceDogs a week ago, a win that basically cemented Niagara’s position at the top of the East.
But, curiously, trainer Neil Hoch Tweeted the news that Jacob Blair will serve as backup. Mrazek allowed 4 goals in a 6-4 win over Sudbury Friday night, and there was no word of any injury after that game.
Which begs the question: where the heck is Petr Mrazek?
The streak is over
Shane Prince’s scoring streak was snapped at 21 games, but I’m guessing he’d happily trade a point on his own stats for a big two points for the team in a 2-1 win Saturday in London.
The Knights have been dominant at home this season with a 23-9-0 record, and the game was a big bounce-back against the top-ranked team in junior hockey, who scored a 5-2 victory in Ottawa just a week before.
The 67′s wrapped up their toughest road trip of the season with 5 of a possible 6 points, winning in Sarnia and London, then storming back from a 3-1 deficit to Guelph, only to lose in the shootout.
Niagara is 3 points ahead of Ottawa for 1st in the East, and show no signs of slowing down. If the 67′s do finish 2nd, they’ll face either Oshawa, Belleville or Mississauga in the first round. All favourable first round matchups. They’d probably like to avoid Peterborough, and at this rate, it looks like the Petes will miss the playoffs.