OHL Weekend Notebook: Feb. 7, 2022

The OHL Weekend Notebook recaps the weekend that was with news, information and interesting facts from both on and off the ice.

Gagnier clutch for Generals
Ryan Gagnier came up big for the Oshawa Generals this past weekend, scoring the deciding goal in all three of his team's victories. Gagnier teamed-up with Patrick Leaver in Mississauga on Friday, scoring in the ninth round of a shootout to give Oshawa a 4-3 win over the OHL's first place team. Gagnier scored the lone goal in a 1-0 road win over Barrie on Saturday, lighting the lamp 10:14 into the third period. He scored the game winner 12:08 into the third period of Sunday's 3-1 home win over the Colts, netting his 13th of the campaign. The 19-year-old from Tecumseh, Ont. has 25 points (13-12--25) through 37 games in this, his second OHL season. Oshawa has won four in a row and sits fifth in the Eastern Conference with a 21-16-1-2 record.

Kids come to play for 67's
The Ottawa 67's had a three-win week. The Barber Poles began by defeating the Peterborough Petes on Thursday as Vinzenz Rohrer and Brady Stonehouse set the winning tone giving the 67’s a 2-0 lead with goals less than a minute apart in the first period. Rookies Luca Pinelli and Will Gerrior each had points in all three 67's wins as Ottawa went on to take four points in a home-and-home with Niagara. Winning four of their last five, Ottawa sits at 20 wins on the season for seventh place in the Eastern Conference.

Firebirds stay hot
The Flint Firebirds stayed hot with a two-win week, taking road wins over Saginaw and Kitchener. New York Rangers prospect Brennan Othmann became the OHL’s first 30-goal scorer, reaching the mark in just 37 games. Ethan Keppen extended his point streak to eight games with a pair of assists following his goal and two helpers earlier in the week. First-year standout Amadeus Lombardi continues to be productive, putting up six points (1-5--6) in his last two outings. Flint’s eighth win in the last 10 games leads them to their most points through 40 games played in franchise history. The Firebirds sit three points out of first place in the Western Conference.

Homestand helps Troops get back on track
Following a string of losses, the North Bay Battalion have won their last four straight at home. The Troops defeated the Soo in back-to-back weekend games as Edmonton Oilers prospect Matvey Petrov put up two goals on a second straight night, netting the game winner with 51 seconds remaining in overtime on Friday. Overage veteran Mitchell Russell put up a pair of three-point performances last week while Brandon Coe sits second in OHL scoring with 71 points (27-44--71). Joe Vrbetic defended the net in both games for the Battalion, improving North Bay to 23-15-3-3 for third in the Central Division.

Bulldogs reel in Steelheads, enjoy perfect weekend at home
The Hamilton Bulldogs had two-straight wins, defeating the League-leading Mississauga Steelheads 1-0 on Saturday before downing the Peterborough Petes 7-3 on Sunday. Adding to his lone goal on Saturday, Ryan Winterton lit the lamp twice while George Diaco had three assists as Hamilton scored five second period goals on Sunday. The Bulldogs have now won five in a row, sitting one point back of Kingston for the East Division lead with a 23-10-2-2 record.

Brochu, Evangelista dominant as Knights sweep three-in-three
After missing last weekend, the London Knights returned to win three games in three nights as Brett Brochu guarded the crease for wins against Windsor, Kitchener and Owen Sound. Knights captain Luke Evangelista had himself a 10-point weekend, following-up his Saturday hat trick with two goals and two assists on Sunday. Dallas Stars prospect Antonio Stranges has also been hot of late, putting up back-to-back three-point performances on Saturday and Sunday. The OHL Player of the Week now has 64 points in 31 games, pushing London to 24 wins for first place in the Midwest Division.

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