The Oshawa Generals loss to the Ottawa 67’s ended 4-1 on Friday night as the home team dropped its second straight Ontario Hockey League game.
Country Night at Tribute Communities Centre drew 4,019 spectators, but Ottawa scored twice in the opening seven minutes and held Oshawa to one goal despite several strong chances.
Early turnovers put Oshawa behind
Oshawa pressured on the forecheck at the start, but two defensive-zone turnovers quickly changed the game. Nic Whitehead opened the scoring for Ottawa at 5:41 of the first period after Chase Yanni found him on a two-on-one.
Brayden Krawczyk made it 2-0 at 6:55, putting in a rebound after Oshawa failed twice to clear the puck. Generals head coach Mario Pouliot called a timeout after the second goal.
Oshawa answered 28 seconds later. Brooks Rogowski stripped the puck from an Ottawa defender and fed Aiden O’Donnell in the slot. O’Donnell scored his third goal of the season over goaltender Jaeden Nelson’s blocker to cut the deficit to 2-1.
Nelson stops second-period push
The Generals produced several chances in the second period. Tyler Hinde had a breakaway, a one-timer and another opportunity, while Sam Roberts was denied on a shot from the slot. Nelson stopped each attempt.
Ottawa extended its lead on a power play with 58 seconds left in the period. Ondrej Ruml’s first shot was blocked, but the puck returned to him in the high slot and he scored to make it 3-1.
The Generals entered the third period trailing for a fourth consecutive game. Ottawa controlled much of the final 20 minutes and limited Oshawa’s opportunities before Spencer Bowes added an empty-net goal at 19:13.
Power play remains scoreless
Oshawa killed five of Ottawa’s six power plays but failed to score on its own four opportunities. The Generals’ power play has now gone three games without a goal.
Jaden Cholette made 28 saves on 31 Ottawa shots in his first start since September 25. Nelson stopped 26 of Oshawa’s 27 shots. Ottawa’s Brock Chitaroni, Ruml and Oshawa’s Hinde were named the game’s three stars.
The Oshawa Generals loss left the club with a 3-4 record. Oshawa returns to Tribute Communities Centre on Sunday, October 4 to host the Sarnia Sting at 6:05 p.m.
