Thomas Johnston’s Hat Trick Gives 67’s Win Over Petes
In his first game action since November 21, Thomas Johnston did it all to end the Barber Poles’ four-game losing streak. Returning from injury, Johnston tallied his first career hat trick, lifting the 67’s to a 4-3 victory over the Peterborough Petes. Were that not impressive enough, the Oshawa native scored in all situations; even strength, on the powerplay, and shorthanded.
Brady Stonehouse notched the other marker, his sixth of the season, while Will Cranley made 31 saves to secure the win for the Barber Poles.
It didn’t take long for Johnston to get the 67’s going. On the penalty kill, 8:02 in, he took a stretch pass from Ranvir Gill-Shane — also returning to the lineup — and streaked in on a breakaway, beating Petes net minder Tye Austin over the shoulder to give the 67’s a 1-0 lead.
Despite the Barber Poles carrying a 14-5 shots on goal advantage into the second, it was Peterborough that would take a lead of their own. Samuel Mayer scored on the powerplay at the 12:50 mark, and 1:40 into the third, J.R. Avon added another to give Peterborough a 2-1 advantage.
Not wanting to let another game slip away, however, the 67’s staged a furious rally from that moment on. After drawing a penalty that put the 67’s on the powerplay, Stonehouse rushed all the way from his own end, and fired a quick shot past Austin. His fiery celebration brought the 1,769 in attendance to their feet, and tied the game at 2-2.
Soon after, the 67’s found themselves on a three-on-two chance. Brenden Sirizzotti passed to Johnston in the slot, and he rifled his second of the night top shelf to restore the Ottawa lead.
Were that not enough, the eventual game-winner was all “Johnston”, with one more for good measure. On the man advantage, and in his 67’s debut, overage player Alex Johnston curled around the Petes’ net, and found Thomas Johnston wide open on the far side. “TJ” had a wide open net for his first career hat trick, sending the Barber Poles’ earning a jubilant ovation from the Barber Poles’ faithful.
Peterborough would get one back with 1:44 remaining, courtesy of Avon, but time ran out, and the 67’s celebrated a well-earned 4-3 victory.
Game Notes:
- It was a record night for Thomas Johnston, who scored his first career hat trick, with his first career powerplay goal, first career shorthanded goal, and first career game-winning goal.
- Alex Johnston’s assist was his first point as a 67. He played two seasons with the Son Greyhounds, from 2018 to 2020.
- Brady Stonehouse has scored three goals against Peterborough, this season. He also drew two penalties, tonight.
- Vinzenz Rohrer has five points in his last six games.
Up Next: The 67’s host the Oshawa Generals, Friday night at 7:00pm EST.
Game Highlights: Peterborough at Ottawa
