Ottawa 67s 2024-25 Season Thread, Part I

[Vector Calculus]

Horner lined up as D for warmup currently…I’d be surprised to see them run 5D. Houben still on the first line and Ekberg listed as basically the 10th forward…

 

[OMG67]

This is an interesting lineup. LEt’s see if it remains that way after the 1st period. Looks sort of like he threw the names in a blender…..

EDIT: I forgot about the flu going through the room a bit. It is possible that some players were bumped down because they may not be feeling all that well.

 

[mianjo]

67's lead 1-0 in 1st

Goal
#9 Chris Barlas (3) scores. Assists: #11 Henry Mews GAME WINNING 1st 8:03

Only 16 skaters dressed

 

[mianjo]

1-1 after 1

Shots on Goal

Teams	1st	Total
KGN	6	6
OTT	11	11

 

[mianjo]

67's down 2-1 after 2

Shots on Goal

Teams	1st	2nd	3rd	Total
KGN	6	17	0	23
OTT	11	4	0	15

 

[AGranderson]

This is an interesting lineup. LEt’s see if it remains that way after the 1st period. Looks sort of like he threw the names in a blender…..

EDIT: I forgot about the flu going through the room a bit. It is possible that some players were bumped down because they may not be feeling all that well.

No flu going through this dressing room fyi everyone is healthy

 

[OMG67]

No flu going through this dressing room fyi everyone is healthy

That’s not what the announcers said on Friday night. Just going on information that was made public. Of that is wrong then so be it.

I have no idea why Ekberg would be playing 4th line right now. Seems odd to me.

 

[mianjo]

67's down 3-2 late in 3rd

Goal #20 Luca Pinelli (12) scores 3rd 16:44

No flu going through this dressing room fyi everyone is healthy

If everyone is healthy why are we only dressing 16 skaters???

 

[Vector Calculus]

Tough way to lose even if the end result is pretty fair given the overall play; not sure if it was apparent on TV but in the arena it was obvious a 4th Kingston skater jumped on the ice for a little twirl before hopping off and the crowd was all over the refs for a too many men call headed right into Kingston’s winning goal with 0.9 seconds left.

Ekberg was back with Pinelli and Foster late when they were down a goal. I thought Ekberg looked ok tonight but he did seem to be fighting the bounces a bit. Whitehead looked pretty good all game long. Still a bit surprised they ran with 5D when Ekberg and Amidovski are just sitting there most of the game while Horner got regular forward shifts.

 

[ScoutLife4]

Just listened to the game on my drive to Oshawa.
Was the game as badly officiated as the Ottawa radio play by play guy was saying it was?
It was pretty painfull listening to him complain constantly to the broadcast it really made the game difficult to listen to.

Tough way to lose even if the end result is pretty fair given the overall play; not sure if it was apparent on TV but in the arena it was obvious a 4th Kingston skater jumped on the ice for a little twirl before hopping off and the crowd was all over the refs for a too many men call headed right into Kingston’s winning goal with 0.9 seconds left.

Ekberg was back with Pinelli and Foster late when they were down a goal. I thought Ekberg looked ok tonight but he did seem to be fighting the bounces a bit. Whitehead looked pretty good all game long. Still a bit surprised they ran with 5D when Ekberg and Amidovski are just sitting there most of the game while Horner got regular forward shifts.

Couldn’t Mackenzie just covered the puck instead of poking it into traffic out front?

 

[mianjo]

67's lose 5-4 in OT

Goal
#23 Will Gerrior (7) scores. 3rd 18:53

 

[gadder]

67s lose but barely. Better is they came back from 2 down late in the 3rd.
Some notes
- a pretty constant line was Pinellt, Foster, and Houben. A big step up from Korbler i'd say; maybe DC is playing rookies well.
- I'm not sure how long it takes to adjust to a smaller ice but Ekberg isn't adjusting very fast. He's got skill no question just he's not producing much
- What's up with Marelli? He's supposed to be one of out stalwarts this year but so far he's been unnoticeable.

 

[AGranderson]

67's down 3-2 late in 3rd

Goal #20 Luca Pinelli (12) scores 3rd 16:44



If everyone is healthy why are we only dressing 16 skaters???

Korbler (personal)
Yanni (upper body)

Healthy as in no one is sick

Just listened to the game on my drive to Oshawa.
Was the game as badly officiated as the Ottawa radio play by play guy was saying it was?
It was pretty painfull listening to him complain constantly to the broadcast it really made the game difficult to listen to.


Couldn’t Mackenzie just covered the puck instead of poking it into traffic out front?

Awful refs tonight Kingston got every call

 

[OMG67]

Just listened to the game on my drive to Oshawa.
Was the game as badly officiated as the Ottawa radio play by play guy was saying it was?
It was pretty painfull listening to him complain constantly to the broadcast it really made the game difficult to listen to.


Couldn’t Mackenzie just covered the puck instead of poking it into traffic out front?

Word of advice. NEVER listen to Kenny Walls. He is a homer clown on the radio. Great at the play by play though. Good voice. All the tools. If he could call a relatively unbiased game and wasn’t constantly critical of the officials, he’d be going somewhere.

 

[OMG67]

Another example of Ottawa being competitive enough to keep it close but not enough horses to push across the finish line. Solid goaltending overall. Decent defence. Middle of the pack give or take. The offence isn’t strong enough for average defence. If they kept the band together the entire season, they’d probably improve a bit but so would all their competition. I think where they are now (.464 win%) is about accurate. Maybe it is slightly low because of the poor PK early in the season. Push them up around .480 and I think that is fair.

Houben has been better. He isn’t an offensive player by any means but he is only 17 and still adjusting to a big frame. So, I am not unhappy or surprised he is not effective offensively yet. Whitehead continues to improve. Dietsch has been capable in a 3rd pairing role. Ekberg is fine but he doesn’t seem to have chemistry with this style of play. He will need some more time to adjust to the DC game plan. He will be solid in the 2nd half. No doubt in my mind on that.

Amidovski is slow on th uptake but so many of the mid to late round kids take a while to adjust. The 10th pick, Challenger, hasn’t gotten a point yet in Erie. Even Logan Hawery, Amidovski’s linemate in Barrie who was a consensus top-5 rated player for this draft has only 1 point in London. So, a little perspective is sometimes required. He will need time to adjust. A lot of times those kids start to take off a bit in the 2nd half. I expect he wills tart to assert himself after the Christmas break and will come out next year better prepared to compete at a more consistent level.

We don’t need to talk about Eshkawkogan.

Overall, I am pretty happy with what I am seeing. It would be good to have secured a few more points in the standings early but that’s what happens when you have so many inexperienced players in the lineup.

 

[Vector Calculus]

- What's up with Marelli? He's supposed to be one of out stalwarts this year but so far he's been unnoticeable.

I think he has been fine? I really have no major complaints about anyone on defence. Brady had a bit of a rocky start to the year but he seems to have settled down and is getting much more regular shifts as a result. Mews seems to be more invested of late (even if he did have a lazy back check or two today that drove me a little crazy). Mayich has been exactly what we expected and Dietsch has looked okay too since returning from injury. This team has scoring issues but their back end has been a pleasant bright spot overall I think.

 

[OMG67]

I think he has been fine? I really have no major complaints about anyone on defence. Brady had a bit of a rocky start to the year but he seems to have settled down and is getting much more regular shifts as a result. Mews seems to be more invested of late (even if he did have a lazy back check or two today that drove me a little crazy). Mayich has been exactly what we expected and Dietsch has looked okay too since returning from injury. This team has scoring issues but their back end has been a pleasant bright spot overall I think.

I’m not as impressed with Brady as you may be. I do feel he is fine as a #6 on a lower tier team though. I this not like he shouldn’t be in the league. He makes a lot of poor/slow decisions with the puck. He tends to be prone to turning it over a lot when pressured, especially down low. Too early to tell for Dietsch where his ceiling is. He has good size so it would be good if he had Mayich level ceiling. Time will tell if he develops any offence but I don’t think he will.

Mews has been great the last two weeks. He had a bit of a slow start but he has been one of the best players on the ice for Ottawa lately, probably #2 behind Pinelli. If he keeps up his current level of performance, he will start pumping more goals, not just assists.

 

[sirius67fan]

Just listened to the game on my drive to Oshawa.
Was the game as badly officiated as the Ottawa radio play by play guy was saying it was?
It was pretty painfull listening to him complain constantly to the broadcast it really made the game difficult to listen to.


Couldn’t Mackenzie just covered the puck instead of poking it into traffic out front?

No like OMG says Kenny is a big homer and lacks objectivity. But great pbp guy and has a good relationship with all the kids on the team. He's just a good guy who's a fan! Tonight was very well officiated imo. Yeah a few calls were missed but on both sides and the refs were consistent...can't ask for more. Now don't ask me about friday night, the refs did their best to cost us the game.

 

[sirius67fan]

I think he has been fine? I really have no major complaints about anyone on defence. Brady had a bit of a rocky start to the year but he seems to have settled down and is getting much more regular shifts as a result. Mews seems to be more invested of late (even if he did have a lazy back check or two today that drove me a little crazy). Mayich has been exactly what we expected and Dietsch has looked okay too since returning from injury. This team has scoring issues but their back end has been a pleasant bright spot overall I think.

Yep agree about Mews. As much as he has frustrated me this year., the last two weeks and especially this weekend he's been great on both sides of the puck. Hopefully it continues and he's over the hump of whatever. The kid has the tools to be dominant.

67s lose but barely. Better is they came back from 2 down late in the 3rd.
Some notes
- a pretty constant line was Pinellt, Foster, and Houben. A big step up from Korbler i'd say; maybe DC is playing rookies well.
- I'm not sure how long it takes to adjust to a smaller ice but Ekberg isn't adjusting very fast. He's got skill no question just he's not producing much
- What's up with Marelli? He's supposed to be one of out stalwarts this year but so far he's been unnoticeable.

Actually the fact he's not been noticeable is good for a D. He's been a pretty solid steady Eddy imo.

 

[sirius67fan]

1. No. Trade Mews when the time is right and the package is ideal. It may take until January 1 to get the real package for him because teams looking for a player like Mews may be more willing to part with their ‘08 1st then part with a player that is currently contributing to their team in a positive manner.
2. No. If the most you can get for Stonehouse is a 5th round pick then you say goodbye to Gerrior.
3. No again. If you trade Mews, then only actively try to trade Pinelli, not the others. You don’t want to bottom out badly. All of the others are candidates to return next year as OA’s. We need bodies and the best way to develop the young players is to insulate them with veterans so they can focus on their game and assignments.

You cannot be a bull in a china shop. You have to be flexible and agile when navigating sell-offs. You cannot become the Petes with ZERO wins after 14 games. They are doing nothing to develop their crop they traded for last year. Their ‘07s are now 17 year sold and only one of them is truly making strides forward. That same crop of ‘07s is going to form the nucleus of the veterans players next year and will be the leaders. I doubt they will be ready. They haven’t properly insulated those players.

If Boyd chooses to be a true seller at the deadline, Pinelli is the only must-go player. Obviously, if Mews wants a change of scenery, then try to accommodate. And, yes, we need to remove an OA but the price needs to be right to move the OA that is not your 4th best. When Stonehouse returns, Gerrior is our fourth best OA. If we do not receive valid trade offers for Stonehouse, then Gerrior needs to go. I like Gerrior but it is what it is. Also, if the trade return of Stonehouse is poor, then the contenders aren’t the teams making the offers. That means he wouldn’t be going to a contending team. He’d be going to a middling to lower standings team. It is not like you’d be setting him up for a long playoff run elsewhere as a courtesy.

Hey OMG you probably will see me coming a mile away but...I agree with all of this except the Stoney over Gerrior comment. Look we'll likely get a good return on Stoney although lower than previous years due to the market. I'd also be OK to trade Gerrior if we get a good offer.( All things being equal I'd trade Mac not because I don't like him but I've seen enough of Nelson to be ok with him as #1 for this year as we're not a contender anyway, but there is no market for an OA goalie at least for now). Now back to Stoney/ Gerrior if push comes to shove I keep Gerrior. Yes stoney is a better finisher and agitator, but otherwise I think Gerrior brings more to the table for a rebuilding team, do not underestimate his value. His compete is off the charts, important leader by example, solid all around game and Pk guy. Besides I do agree as you mentioned previously we are likely to get more for Stoney as he has rather unique attributes. But Gerrior is worth more to the 67's than what they can likely get.

 

[OMG67]

Hey OMG you probably will see me coming a mile away but...I agree with all of this except the Stoney over Gerrior comment. Look we'll likely get a good return on Stoney although lower than previous years due to the market. I'd also be OK to trade Gerrior if we get a good offer.( All things being equal I'd trade Mac not because I don't like him but I've seen enough of Nelson to be ok with him as #1 for this year as we're not a contender anyway, but there is no market for an OA goalie at least for now). Now back to Stoney/ Gerrior if push comes to shove I keep Gerrior. Yes stoney is a better finisher and agitator, but otherwise I think Gerrior brings more to the table for a rebuilding team, do not underestimate his value. His compete is off the charts, important leader by example, solid all around game and Pk guy. Besides I do agree as you mentioned previously we are likely to get more for Stoney as he has rather unique attributes. But Gerrior is worth more to the 67's than what they can likely get.

If we can get a solid backup, I am warming up to the idea of moving MacK. My only issue is I think Nelson would benefit personally keeping MacK here.

The problem we have is next year will suck. No matter what we do this year, next year will be a challenge. Whatever we do, I think the focus needs to be on the ‘07 and ‘08 group.

The one major caveat to all of this is the pending change in the NCAA/CHL rules. Boyd has made a strong investment in drafting really good NCAA commits. If a few of those players decide to delay their enrolment and their plans shift to the OHL (Ottawa) and play through their 19 year old season, fortunes could shift on a dime. This is the one dangling piece that I have no real sense of where Ottawa stands.

 

[beastintheeast]

1. No. Trade Mews when the time is right and the package is ideal. It may take until January 1 to get the real package for him because teams looking for a player like Mews may be more willing to part with their ‘08 1st then part with a player that is currently contributing to their team in a positive manner.
2. No. If the most you can get for Stonehouse is a 5th round pick then you say goodbye to Gerrior.
3. No again. If you trade Mews, then only actively try to trade Pinelli, not the others. You don’t want to bottom out badly. All of the others are candidates to return next year as OA’s. We need bodies and the best way to develop the young players is to insulate them with veterans so they can focus on their game and assignments.

You cannot be a bull in a china shop. You have to be flexible and agile when navigating sell-offs. You cannot become the Petes with ZERO wins after 14 games. They are doing nothing to develop their crop they traded for last year. Their ‘07s are now 17 year sold and only one of them is truly making strides forward. That same crop of ‘07s is going to form the nucleus of the veterans players next year and will be the leaders. I doubt they will be ready. They haven’t properly insulated those players.

If Boyd chooses to be a true seller at the deadline, Pinelli is the only must-go player. Obviously, if Mews wants a change of scenery, then try to accommodate. And, yes, we need to remove an OA but the price needs to be right to move the OA that is not your 4th best. When Stonehouse returns, Gerrior is our fourth best OA. If we do not receive valid trade offers for Stonehouse, then Gerrior needs to go. I like Gerrior but it is what it is. Also, if the trade return of Stonehouse is poor, then the contenders aren’t the teams making the offers. That means he wouldn’t be going to a contending team. He’d be going to a middling to lower standings team. It is not like you’d be setting him up for a long playoff run elsewhere as a courtesy.

ASAP can in fact be the deadline but if a team gives you a deadline offer before the deadline then I think they need to do it.

You have a point and I can see that. It will be interesting to see what happens with the Oa'S

I still think if you can get someone to make a good deal for Foster, then you have to look at it. Pinelli may be the goal-scorer, but who knows what a team may want? Putting themon on the market is not the same as trading. Let's see what interest is there so Boyd has a better idea of what he is doing.

 

[OMG67]

ASAP can in fact be the deadline but if a team gives you a deadline offer before the deadline then I think they need to do it.

You have a point and I can see that. It will be interesting to see what happens with the Oa'S

I still think if you can get someone to make a good deal for Foster, then you have to look at it. Pinelli may be the goal-scorer, but who knows what a team may want? Putting themon on the market is not the same as trading. Let's see what interest is there so Boyd has a better idea of what he is doing.

Foster is not a likely pro player IMO. I think it is highly likely he returns as an OA. He has the ability to not only legitimize the team next year but he also can help provide support for the rebuild. I think it would be a very big mistake to move him. At best he is a Tier II player at the deadline. Maybe they could get as much as two 2nds and two 3rds (similar to Gardiner), but I am not sure that is enough to sacrifice next season. As an OA at the deadline next year he is likely worth a 2nd, 3rd, and 5th at minimum. So, even if they decide to keep him, they will have the option at the deadline next year to move him. He is more valuable to the 67’s the remainder of this year and the first half next year.

I agree about Mews. I was only suggesting that your literal point was to move him ASAP for wha they can get. That is a blanket statement that suggests the 67’s should take a hit to get rid of him. You need to be more precise about your statements so they are not misunderstood.

Who knows what happens with the OAs. Just in a wait and see situation for sure. The market is a mess for the 67s.

 

[BarberPole9]

Word of advice. NEVER listen to Kenny Walls. He is a homer clown on the radio. Great at the play by play though. Good voice. All the tools. If he could call a relatively unbiased game and wasn’t constantly critical of the officials, he’d be going somewhere.

I’ve never understood the idea that home commentators should be neutral. The vast majority of fans listening to a 67’s broadcast are cheering for the 67’s so why not pull for them as a commentator?

Dean Brown, on the other hand sounds equally excited when the opposing team scores against the Sens. Not what the vast majority of my friends wan to hear as Ottawa fans.

Kenny is a great character who is highly invested in the team. I’m glad that he’s as passionate pulling for the team as he is.

 

[OMG67]

I’ve never understood the idea that home commentators should be neutral. The vast majority of fans listening to a 67’s broadcast are cheering for the 67’s so why not pull for them as a commentator?

Dean Brown, on the other hand sounds equally excited when the opposing team scores against the Sens. Not what the vast majority of my friends wan to hear as Ottawa fans.

Kenny is a great character who is highly invested in the team. I’m glad that he’s as passionate pulling for the team as he is.

But he is wrong. That is the problem. He bitches like a clown about the officiating and comes off as stupid and clearly a jaded fan.

If he wants to be professional and do this for a living, he really needs to lay off the officials and not approach games as if the 67’s are always getting completely jobbed by the officials.

I like his technical ability to call a game. Great voice, great pitch, and very solid when it comes to play by play. The problem is he is also the colour commentator and he is screwing himself by showing how bad his bias is. The best thing for him would be to pair him up with a more professional colour commentator. Keep him more even keel. Someone that can calm him down and present a more balanced and unbiased approach.