Will Gerrior score a pair of goals, providing a third period marker in highlight reel fashion as the Ottawa 67’s defeated the Kingston Frontenacs 5-2 on Wednesday night to secure their third East Division title in the past four seasons.
Calgary Flames prospect Jack Beck was also involved, recording a goal and two assists as the 67’s improved to a League-best 42-11-3-2, improving to 7-0 against Kingston on the season in the process. The 67’s boast the OHL’s best winning percentage on home ice with a record of 24-4-0-1 at TD Place.
The 2023 East Division banner secures the franchise’s 18th Leyden Trophy, an award that was first presented in 1975-76 when the OHL was split into divisions with the expansion of the League to 12 teams. The award originated in recognition of former long-time Oshawa Generals general manager Matt Leyden for his contributions to junior hockey in Ontario.
Have a night, Will Gerrior!@OHLHockey | @GerriorWill pic.twitter.com/ELrD4gwyke
— Ottawa 67’s (@Ottawa67sHockey) March 2, 2023
The 67’s, who have won six of their last seven games, have sat at the top of the standings throughout the entire season thanks to a 9-0 start to the campaign. They’ve been a fixture on the weekly Kia CHL Top 10 Rankings, coming in at seventh in the 21st and most recent edition released on Tuesday. While current Arizona Coyotes head coach Andre Tourigny guided the team to East Division titles in 2019 and 2020, former NHL bench boss Dave Cameron has steered the success this season, having won his 400th career OHL contest earlier in the year.
Ottawa features reigning OHL Playoff MVP Logan Morrison, who has scored a goal in 11 of his past 12 games while mid-season acquisition and Anaheim Ducks prospect Pavel Mintyukov sits tied for the League lead for goals by a defenceman with 22. Goaltenders Max Donoso and Collin MacKenzie have combined to surrender a League-low 146 goals through 58 games.
The 67’s are back in action on Friday, completing the home-and-home with Kingston when they hit the ice at the Leon’s Centre. The Barber Poles currently hold a 12-point edge over Central Division-leading North Bay for first place in the Eastern Conference standings.
Order another banner for the Barber Poles 💈
The @Ottawa67sHockey are 2023 #OHL East Division Champions! 🔴⚫️⚪️ pic.twitter.com/VwZaBnOA2e
— OntarioHockeyLeague (@OHLHockey) March 2, 2023
