THE GAME DAY GAZETTE

A tough weekend for the Generals only gets harder when the top team in the OHL, the Ottawa 67’s, come to town for a Sunday night staple at the Tribute Communities Centre in Oshawa.

Teams who are at polar ends of the standings enter the game in polar opposite directions in their last few games. Oshawa has begun struggling at the wrong time, winning only one of their last five games, including losses to Barrie, Peterborough, Guelph and these very same 67’s. Their only win came against the league’s IceDogs, 10-7.

Ottawa travels to Oshawa on a high, winners of five in a row, and eight of their last 10. The 67’s were the first OHL team to hit the 40-win mark this season, and currently have a five-point lead over the London Knights for first in the OHL.

With Oshawa in a tight playoff race, they’ll need all the points they can get, even against a juggernaut like the 67’s. All the action gets underway at 6:05 p.m.

Last Meeting:

The 67’s have had the Generals’ number all season, winning every single meeting so far. The two teams clashed just over a week ago on February 17th, when the 67’s took down the visiting Generals by a score of 5-2. Oshawa was severely undermanned for this trip to the Arena at TD Place, and despite a strong first period in the game, Oshawa was no match for the firepower of the home side. Stuart Rolofs scored both goals in the losing effort.

Players To Watch

Cameron Butler Logan Morrison Ryan Gagnier

In a game like this one, look towards your leaders to have an extra-large presence throughout the game. Not only is Gagnier a leader in the locker room, but the overage forward currently leads the team in points with 61. In the loss to Barrie last night, Gagnier got back on the scoresheet with his 26th goal of the season, trailing only Stuart Rolofs for the team lead. Being the longest-tenured Oshawa General, Gagnier is no stranger to these 67’s.

Another overage forward for the Generals, Cameron Butler is due for a big game. Currently, fifth in team scoring with 21 goals and 24 assists, Butler is having the best season of his career. With his few assists here and there in his last few games, look for Butler to replicate his performance from Super Bowl Sunday to help pull his Generals to a victory over the 67’s. If you need a refresh, Butler scored a hattrick and added an assist for four points that day.

The kid can score, point, blank, period. One of the hottest snipers in the entire league, Morrison has already put up 16 goals in 17 games with the 67’s, and 36 over the entire season. His 83 points leads the entire team, with an 11-point cushion over his next closest teammate.

Morrison is currently riding a seven-game goal-scoring streak, including a goal against the Generals, and a four-spot put up against the IceDogs. Told you he can score.

Goalies