Ottawa 67’s having historic season after finals loss last year

OTTAWA, ON - DECEMBER 01: Ottawa 67's Defenceman Alec Belanger (26) has a subdued goal celebration with Ottawa 67's Center Marco Rossi (23) and Ottawa 67's Defenceman Anthony Costantini (12) during Ontario Hockey League action between the North Bay Battalion and Ottawa 67's on December 1, 2019, at TD Place Arena in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
OTTAWA, ON - DECEMBER 01: Ottawa 67's Defenceman Alec Belanger (26) has a subdued goal celebration with Ottawa 67's Center Marco Rossi (23) and Ottawa 67's Defenceman Anthony Costantini (12) during Ontario Hockey League action between the North Bay Battalion and Ottawa 67's on December 1, 2019, at TD Place Arena in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Ottawa 67’s are having an amazing season so far in the OHL. They are first place in the league, by five points and have a few games in hand.

Last year was a great season for the famed CHL club, in which they went to the OHL finals. But they lost in six games to the Guelph Storm.

They had monstrous seasons from Tye Felhaber and Sasha Chmelevski, who are both not on the team anymore. They are each playing on their respective AHL teams for the NHL teams that drafted them.

The 67’s also lost right winger Kody Clark who was called up for duties for the Washington Capitals, to start the 2019-20 campaign.

Michael Dipietro was traded to the 67’s for a host of draft picks and player, for the run at the Memorial Cup. They knew he wasn’t staying for more than one year, because he’s just too good not to get a look in the AHL, and maybe even suit up for a game or two for the Vancouver Canucks.

So with all of that talent lost in the offseason, it looked like the team might take a step back and settle into the franchises usual routine of making the playoffs, then losing in the first round. That has been the story of the 2000’s for the 67’s.

Last year they bucked that trend, and went on to play the Guelph Storm in the finals. They didn’t lose a game in the playoffs until the finals, that’s how talented they were.

They won the first two games of the finals, but their opposition stormed back and took the series, ending the clubs hopes for a Memorial Cup.

However this year they started the season on a good note, going 13-6-0 through their first 19 games. But the best was still to come, after that they went on a 16 games winning streak, which is still going.

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With great goaltending from Cedrick Andree, who boasts a record of 21-5-0, with a sparkling GAA of 2.27 and SV% of 0.921. He’s likely the best goalie in the OHL right now.

Their offence is supplied by 2020 draft eligible, Marco Rossi, along with Auston Keating, Joseph Garreffa and Jack Quinn.

Rossi is playing at a much higher level than anyone else in the whole CHL, besides for maybe Alexis Lafreniere. He has 26 goals and 43 assists for a spectacular 69 points through only 29 games.

The 67’s are first in the OHL by five points ahead of the Peterborough Petes. They are also four games in hand over the Petes. This is one of the most amazing seasons in Ontario Hockey League history.

Their scoring at a feverish pace, 4.77 goals per game, while only allowing 2.60 goals against per game, thanks to Cedrick Andree as well as back up goalie, Will Cranley.