Ottawa 67's 2023-24 Off-Season Thread (Part 1)
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NordiquesForeva
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- May 30, 2022
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OMG67
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That was a gong show for officiating tonight. But, the 67’s let it get to them and they had some very undisciplined penalties, especially Sirman tearing a strip off the ref and getting the added two for unsportsmanlike. Two icings cancelled because of mistake whistles plus allowing a 5 on 4 faceoff for 10 seconds of play until they realized it should have been a 4 on 4 faceoff. The officials were on amateur hour this evening. But, the Generals took advantage of their opportunities with the man advantage and Ottawa did not. So, that ends up being the difference. Ottawa needs to be better on special teams. They’ve been very average to below average.
I felt they had room to lose two games down the stretch and have a chance at the Division. They’ve lost their two games. They need to go 9-0 to finish the season to have an honest chance.
I felt they had room to lose two games down the stretch and have a chance at the Division. They’ve lost their two games. They need to go 9-0 to finish the season to have an honest chance.
Larionov
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Let's just start with winning two games they should win over Peterborough and Niagara. It feels like that isn't a guarantee right now. Fighting back to tie it last night, then giving up the winner late, is hugely disappointing. It is hard to get a fix on what this team is - it feels like they could be really good, but are destined not to be and will lose in the first round of the playoffs in absolutely heartbreaking fashion late in the third period of a deciding game...
Ottawa realistically should win 4 of the next 5.
I think they need to avoid any sort of match up with Oshawa as Oshawa would punish them in a playoff series. -I think a 3-6 matchup with the steel heads is probably their best match up as it would be a coin flip.
Sudbury could be a good series as Ottawa may be able to out coach them and exploit their poor defensive abilities.
and they will be without Villeneuve and Konyen out with 15 and 10 gmae suspensions
OMG67
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It is really tough to say who they match up well against. If Ottawa plays to the best of their abilities, they can play with virtually any team in the league, including the top Western Teams. The issue is they need to play an uptempo and aggressive style of game. If they are on their game, they are very effective. If they are off slightly, we would see what we saw last night where they are about a half step behind and a little sluggish where their aggressive puck pursuit results in a lot of those 50/50 penalty calls. It’s fine if they have a game where the officials have their whistles in their pockets but not fine if they are whistle happy like last night. This isn’t complaining about the officiating. With the exception of one call, all of the calls were penalties. The question is whether all of them should be called in a game management situation. When they are in full stride and working well, there is no hooking/holding. When they are a half step behind and aggressive on the puck carrier, there are clutches and grabs that aren’t called when they are in the right position. Last night they weren’t in the right position. So, even though they carried much of the play and mostly gave Oshawa scoring opportunities on 8 powerplays, it isn’t good enough.
The one main area where Ottawa is deficient is special teams. Their Powerplay and Penalty killing needs to be better if they are going to play an aggressive style of game. They can’t be running at 96.4% clip and expect to win agaisnt the top teams consistently. They’ve gotten better on the Powerplay but their penalty killing has not improved. Last night is a great example of three PP goals against on 8 chances but zero PP goals for on 4 chances. They lose a game by one goal. If they score as much as they give up more regularly and make it a 5 on 5 game score, they win a lot of games against the top teams. But, if they keep getting outscored on the special teams, they will struggle.
So, from my perspective, it really doesn’t matter who they play. The type of team they are vulnerable against are the bigger teams that can skate with them. There really isn’t one of those teams in the Eastern Conference this year. Peterborough and North Bay were teams last year that would be their kryptonite this year but North Bay isn’t’ nearly as big as they were last year. The bigger teams this year aren’t uptempo teams. Ottawa simply out-skates those teams.
To me, it comes down squarely on special teams. Either they start to nail that down and improve like they should have since the deadline or they don’t and they won’t win in the playoffs. I really think it is that simple. They have to play an unaggressive style so they have to play at full speed all the time and at minimum score as many as they give up on special teams.
The reality is, any of the top 6 can beat each other in the playoffs. Maybe some may have a slight advantage in certain situations but none of the teams are elite. None of them play with swagger. Each of them have deficiencies that can be exploited. It will come down to execution. There really isn’t a lot separating any of those teams.
Yup... I heard it was coming but i honestly thought this was going to be dragged out to post playoffs to be honest.
OMG67
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I dont know what the policy about social media and the players is ,so i wont comment. Heard that a player had put a bounty on a Colts player. Guess they they took it pretty seriously
I got a warning the other day in the SSM when i hinted something was coming and posted some details so i'm not allowed to say.
Essentially no insider information is being tolerated on this forum anymore is what they told me.
I guess they rather have everyone read it on twitter.
ecraigs
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- Dec 6, 2013
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OHL Concludes Investigation into Sudbury Wolves Hockey Club - Ontario Hockey League
The Ontario Hockey League today announced that it has concluded an investigation into conduct by members of the Sudbury Wolves Hockey Club.
chl.ca
OMG67
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Ah. Ok. I wasn’t aware it was a player associated thing. I thought it was more management/coaching related. I understand the issues but didn’t connect the dots on the suspension. I had it in my mind it was something on ice.
Looks like Villeneuve misses the first round but Konyen only misses game one.
As of now
Team< sum of the parts. Winning division is a dream now. Best case scenario they gel before the playoffs and they can beat anybody in the east imo.
Team< sum of the parts. Winning division is a dream now. Best case scenario they gel before the playoffs and they can beat anybody in the east imo.
NordiquesForeva
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- May 30, 2022
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I was really disappointed in the special teams play last night and lack of discipline, but thought the team played well at ES. Relative to the 5-0 game in Ottawa a few weeks ago, Oshawa played much better as did their goaltender, but it was really the special teams play that sunk us last night.
OMG67
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Don’t give up. We were 8 points back with two games in hand and two head to head gams so the math was there.
Since then, the Bulldogs have lost three points and Ottawa has lost four points. So, if we run the schedule (9-0), all we need Brantford to do is lose one in OT/SO (plus the two Ottawa games in regulation). Ottawa and Brantford would tie at 87 points. Ottawa would win the tiebreaker.
Brantford still has Oshawa, Missy (who they lost to today) and North Bay as tough Conference games on top of the two Ottawa games. They’ve been winning a lot of games they weren’t the better team in. Sooner or later that will stop. There is no guarantee they win those games so it is very conceivable the door will open a little.
Oshawa still has a chance too but their schedule is TOUGH. They have Brantford, Missy, Sudbury x2 and Kitchener. That is not easy. I would be shocked if they end up on top of the division.
It is starting to look like 85 points will win the division. I’m not saying Ottawa is a lock at this point but they do have a weak schedule. They do have to win the two Brantford games in regulation though. That is going to be a MUST.
Oh I have not given up on the season just on the division. You've got to admit a lot has to go right for the division. At this point frankly I don't care too much about the division. I just want this team to gel and Cameron to figure it out. You can't keep shuffling the deck eternally. Must say as must as I respect and liked Cameron the last few years, this year...meh. As imo there is not a big gap between the top teams in the east I don't feel home ice is crucial. Momentum going in ( or as the playoff progress) and goaltending are probably gonna win the day in the east.
OMG67
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The division is very possible. I look at it this way. Oshawa has a tough schedule. They also play Brantford in that mix. One of those teams has to lose. They only have seven games left and five of them are tough games. I think it is safe to speculate they won’t win more than 5 of those games. That puts them at 85 points. Ottawa holds the tie breaker.
Brantford has been pulling rabbits out of hats. Xhejka received a double Game Misconduct (Checking from Behind & Unsportsmanlike for Abuse of Official) today. He’s going to miss some games. They have three other key players out of the lineup. No word on their return. Goaltending can’t keep them in every game. Today was a strong example. They have two things going for them. The lead in the division so points in hand and an unbalanced home schedule. They don’t have an easy run of games coming up. It is hard to believe they will win all six non-Ottawa games left on their schedule. Any one of those points they lose in those six games gives Ottawa more breathing room.
Ottawa has the two games vs Brantford that are must win games in regulation. That’s the reality. They have Missy (at home) one game and a bunch of teams at the bottom of the standings. Very winnable games. It is not inconceivable that Ottawa goes on a 9-0 run and I don’t think they even need to go 9-0. They need to win the two Brantford games and probably win 6 of 7 remaining scheduled games. Maybe even go 5-1-1 or 5-2 is enough depending on what Brantford does.
The odds are against Ottawa but considering they are in 6th place (3rd in division), the odds are better than they really should be. I honestly feel like the last game on the schedule vs Brantford will have meaning for the division. If Ottawa loses against any of the poor teams down the stretch, they don’t deserve the division title. They’ve played teams like Niagara, Peterborough and Barrie so it is not like they don’t have game plans. They have a relatively healthy lineup with no key players missing right now.
Since the deadline, the 67’s have been in pretty much every game. They have three losses by 2 goals or more. One of those they gave up an empty net goal late so really only two games by 2 or more goals.
Winning the division is important. Much more important than you think. They’d go up against Kingston in round one. That is a nice little drive down the road. They’ve had a tough go of it with the Fronts this year. That is a monkey they need off their backs. Winning that series will give them a lot more confidence than beating Missy or Oshawa. And if we finish 6th, we likely face North Bay. That is not a series I want early. The reduction in travel round one is important IMO. After that series, you are right. It really doesn’t matter who we play. No one is all that much different but the reduced milage in round one would pay off nicely going forward.
beastintheeast
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- Mar 27, 2013
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LOL does 100 dollars make a difference to a person's logic LOL
As I said a long time ago, this is a team that, at best, is a fifth-place team and has been all season.
Sunday games are going to tell a lot
beastintheeast
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personally, I want to see them get better chances at draft picks . I really don't see a huge benefit in winning the first round and getting shellacked in the second.
Ah ah good one Beast! Jokes aside though I don't think much affects his logic. He makes a good case we still have a chance at the division, I judt think it's a long shot.
OMG67
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I think the point is it isn’t quite as long as most would think by ONLY looking at the standings.
If we go into individual games and assign a percentage chance we win that specific game, the five games against Peterborough, Niagara, and Barrie, realistically you need to give Ottawa an 80% chance of winning each of those games. In fact, I think people would be surprised if we lost a game out of those five games. If Ottawa were to match up against any of those teams in a 7 game series, the majority would pick Ottawa in 4.
Then do the same against Missy and Kingston. Missy at home is probably around 70% chance of a win and Kingston on the road is probably 50% considering our struggles against the Fronts.
That leaves home and home vs Brantford. The home game is 60% and the road game is 40%.
Let’s look at Brantford. They’ve been pulling rabbits out of hats the last 4 weeks. They’ve had Hamada and Okitundu out of the lineup since ~Feb 11. Lardis has been out since December. That is like Ottawa missing Pinelli, Mayich and Marrelli. They’ve been consistently outplayed for the last 3-4 weeks but their goaltending has been standing on its head getting them through games. Being outshot nearly 2-1 many games. How long can that team keep that up? Yesterday Sobolev left the game injured. Their pace is not sustainable while they have those guys out. If they remain out, I cannot see them reeling off the number of wins required.
If Ottawa had Oshawa’s remaining schedule, we wouldn’t be having this conversation. It’s tough. I can’t see a path for them winning the division right now. They can maybe lose one more game the rest of the way and they have tough opposition.
Ottawa holds the tiebreaker against Brantford and Oshawa (or at least would with two wins vs Brantford).
There is so much in Ottawa’s favour if we look at the positives. There are negatives. There are a lot of games in a short period of time. We need to win the games of course. And, regardless of the odds of Brantford winning enough games, the reality is we no longer have our destiny in our own hands. We now rely on Brantford dropping at least one point to give us a chance.
Admittedly, I am looking at this from the glass half full perspective. Beast is looking at it from the glass half empty perspective. We’ve both had the same stance since about November.
Calling Ottawa a 5th place team is disingenuous. The 6th place team is likely 6 points out of first when the dust settles. There is virtually nothing separating 1st and 6th. When Ottawa beats Peterborough tonight, that will be the actual lead….5 points. Labeling any of those 6 teams as a “5th place” position team is sort of insulting to any of those teams. Of course one of them will finish 5th but are they really a traditional 5th place team? The 5th place team in the West is 18 points behind 4th! I think each of these six teams deserves a lot of respect for all playing pretty well since the deadline and keeping pace with the lead in the Conference. Only Kingston dropped back out of the pack. That has been surprising but really exciting at the same time.
OMG67
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if you look at the standings, the difference in draft pick between 2nd in the Eastern Conference vs 5th in the Eastern Conference, will be 3 spots in the draft. So they’d pick 12th or 15th. It really doesn’t make much of a difference.
The top four teams in the West are pretty much locked in as the last four picks. Then it will be the top 6 in the East. Usually there is some weaving in the standings where if a team were to drop 3 spots in the standings of their conference, they move up 5-6 spots in the draft but the way the Conferences are separated, it isn’t that way this season.
I woudl understand and agree with your point if the difference were picking 11th vs 18th which would be somewhat normal most years but this year is much different. We’d have to drop under .500 to get into the top 10 of the draft.
If you look at last year, North Bay finished 2nd in the Conference and picked 19th. Sudbury finished 5th in the Conference and picked 8th. That is excluding comp picks for defected players. So, I fully understand where you are coming from but this year the difference is virtually meaningless.
The benefit of winning the division significantly outweighs moving from 15th to 12th in the draft. It significantly impacts the odds of going to round two and when they get there, they will be more rested with less travel (assuming the division winner finishes with the 2nd seed). That means the potential for more ticket revenue, more playoff experience for the existing roster and more legitimacy to assist in signing potential future players. Success breeds more success. Getting to the 2nd or 3rd round means a lot vs bowing out in the 1st round.
This push for the division has nothing to do with $100. It has everything to do with what is best for the team.
This might be the easiest 100$ ever made.
I feel like the big hole is @OMG67 hopes and dreams for Ottawa is they always surround all the other teams ahead losing several games.
Oshawa and Brantford are not going to roll over and let Ottawa pass them.
Ottawa is 7 pts out with 9 games remaining. Finishing 3rd in the division is likely the case.
I think its just a matter if they jump up to 5th in the conference or not now.
Oshawa's schedule which may look strong to finish the season isn't to bad considering Sudbury is without 2 top players. -Their travel Schedule isn't to bad either with just the one big travel day to Sudbury. -I feel like now that Ben Danford is back you will see this team finish very strong and maybe even pass Brantford to win the division.
Oshawa has won 5 straight since being humiliated in Ottawa Feb 23rd.
I wouldn't be overly shocked to see Brantford head into the playoff in a little bit of a slump if you look at their schedule its likely the toughest of the 3.
There is also the Steelheads who no one is really talking about that has the goaltending to steal games and is only 5 pts out of first in the east.
Does anyone know why Porter Martone didn't play yesterday?
I feel like the big hole is @OMG67 hopes and dreams for Ottawa is they always surround all the other teams ahead losing several games.
Oshawa and Brantford are not going to roll over and let Ottawa pass them.
Ottawa is 7 pts out with 9 games remaining. Finishing 3rd in the division is likely the case.
I think its just a matter if they jump up to 5th in the conference or not now.
Oshawa's schedule which may look strong to finish the season isn't to bad considering Sudbury is without 2 top players. -Their travel Schedule isn't to bad either with just the one big travel day to Sudbury. -I feel like now that Ben Danford is back you will see this team finish very strong and maybe even pass Brantford to win the division.
Oshawa has won 5 straight since being humiliated in Ottawa Feb 23rd.
I wouldn't be overly shocked to see Brantford head into the playoff in a little bit of a slump if you look at their schedule its likely the toughest of the 3.
There is also the Steelheads who no one is really talking about that has the goaltending to steal games and is only 5 pts out of first in the east.
Does anyone know why Porter Martone didn't play yesterday?
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