The Ottawa 67′s started out like a house on fire, but in the end it was the Peterborough Petes who doused the Ottawa hopes en route to a 5-3 win.

Shane Prince created a turnover and set up newcomer Mike Cazzola to open the scoring 12 seconds into the first period.  Prince added his 20th of the season himself eight and a half minutes later to put the 67′s up 2-0.  The barber poles dominated the first half of the period, but then the tables started to turn.  Joey West got the Petes on the board with a power play marker before the period was out, and then added a short-handed tally at the midway point of  the second and the game was tied at 2 through 2.  Andrew Yogan gave the Petes their first lead of the game just past the 8 minute mark of the third, and it stayed that way for some time.  Then a quick pass from below the goal line from Cazzola to Prince out front that the Senators pick buried behind Andrew D’Agostini tied the game again and it looked like overtime was looming with just over 3 minutes left. However that was a shortlived feeling as 25 seconds later the Petes were back in front.  Sean Monahan tried to carry it out from behind his net, and turned the puck over.  A couple of unfortunate boucnes later, and Ottawa native Alan Quine found himself with an open net. Yogan was hooked on a breakaway with the empty net and although his shot went wide, he was awarded the goal.

MY THREE STARS

3.  Andrew D’Agostini, PBO, 37 saves for the win

2. Shane Prince, OTT, 2G, 1A

1. Joey West, PBO, 1G, 2A

MY VIEW FROM THE SEATS

It looked like the line of Prince, McFarland and Cazzoli had some instant chemistry. They combined for 6 points  Cazzoli is built like a fire hydrant, and his game reminded me of former 67′s star Dan Tessier in his size and style of play.  They have similar body types, but Tessier had a little more offensive upside.  Cazzoli will be a solid acquisition for the 67′s

Other than the first 10 minutes and a brief flurry late in the third, the line of Monahan, Toffoli and Smith was largely invisible. After starring last weekend, they need more consistency if the 67′s are going to live up to the potential.  It seemed like the Prince line was playing well so the Toffoli line didn’t need to play tonight.

67′s winger Brett Gustavsen and the Petes’ Stephen Pierog had a very spirited tilt not too long after the game was tied up at 2.  It was a classic lightweight fight where both participants were throwing punches and not too worried about avoiding them.  It would be tough to pick a winner since it is impossible to tell who landed more solid punches.

Ottawa’s special teams let them down as they went only 1 for 6 on the power play and allowed a short-handed goal.  Peterborough went 1 for 4 with the man advantage. It was the first win in 5 tries for the Petes against Ottawa this season.

Ottawa is off on Saturday, and will return to action on Sunday afternoon as they host hte Belleville Bulls.