Sweep of three games does wonders for 67’s

Suddenly, things don’t appear quite so bleak for the Ottawa 67’s.

The early-season outlook for the Ontario Hockey League team changed dramatically over the weekend when a sweep of three games boosted its record to 4-3.

A hat trick from the stick of Dante Salituro powered the 67’s to a 7-5 win on Sunday afternoon in Owen Sound. That came on the heels of a 4-0 win in Barrie on Saturday night and a 4-2 victory at home over Oshawa on Friday.

Only two weeks ago, coach Jeff Brown had called out his team for selfish play and questioned its leadership after a loss to Barrie in the home opener that left his team winless after three games.

If the 67’s were lacking leadership, Salituro certainly showed the way in dramatic fashion on Sunday afternoon, scoring all three of his goals in the final 20 minutes as Ottawa stormed from behind to win the third period 4-1 and the game. Salituro now has nine points in five games since returning from the Columbus Blue Jackets’ camp.

Ottawa trailed 4-2 late in the second period when Ben Fanjoy started the comeback with a goal at 18:36. Salituro tied it 52 seconds into the third and put the visitors up 5-4 at 4:31. Jaden Lindo evened things up only 36 seconds after that, but Salituro put the 67’s ahead for good at 6:31 and Trent Mallette completed the scoring just a minute after that.

Nathan Todd and Artur Tyanulin also scored in the win while Santino Centorame had two goals for the Attack, with Bryson Cianfrone and Petrus Palmu getting the other Owen Sound goals.

Liam Herbst picked up the win in goal, facing 37 shots, while Owen Sound’s Daniel Dekoning gave up six goals on 24 shots and Michael McNiven allowed one on five shots.

The 67’s will be on the road next weekend, visiting Windsor, Flint and Saginaw.