Why a win over the Brampton Steelheads was big for the Ottawa 67's

Spencer Bowes, seen in a file photo, extended his goal-scoring streak to six games in the Ottawa 67's win over Brampton on Wednesday. Photo by Gino Donato /Postmedia

Article content

The Ottawa 67’s fell out of the Canadian Hockey League’s Top 10 rankings after managing just three goals on 67 shots in a pair of weekend losses to the Kingston Frontenacs.

Article content

On Wednesday, they rediscovered their touch.

Article content

Article content

Nice to see from their standpoint was five different players tallying in the 5-2 victory over the Brampton Steelheads before a “school day” crowd of 7,152 at TD Place.

Article content

Article content

The 67’s have allowed just 39 goals in their 13 games, and that’s including the 10 they surrendered in an uncharacteristic home-opening performance against the Sarnia Sting.

Article content

Article content

Preventing should continue to be their forte; producing could be another matter.

Article content

Article content

The Carleton Place sniper extended his goal-scoring streak to six games, which is still a long way off the OHL record hot streak of 19 consecutive games with a goal shared by former Peterborough Petes star Mike Ricci and Alex DeBrincat, the ex-Erie Otters winger who recently signed a $91 million extension with the Detroit Red Wings.

Article content

But now with 12 goals, Bowes is not only tied for the league lead, but he has twice as many as the 67’s next top producer, defenceman Ondrej Ruml, who also found the back of the Brampton net.

Article content

Other Ottawa scorers were Greely’s Theo Avila, with his third, and defenceman Kohyn Eshkawkogan and overager Teddy Spitznagel, both of whom counted their first of the season.

Article content

“I’ve been working all year for that,” said Spitznagel. “So it’s good to see one fall.”

Article content

Article content

Article content

What does Spitznagel give the 67’s?

Article content

His value to the team has never been his offence.

Article content

Signed as a free agent by GM Jan Egert when the 67’s wanted to bulk up at last year’s trade deadline, the 6-foot-3, 200-pound winger has just three goals in 42 games for Ottawa.

Article content

“Physicality,” coach Dave Cameron said of what he wants from Spitznagel. “That’s Teddy. He’s got to be physical. That’s his strength. That’s what he best brings to the team.

Article content

Teddy Spitznagel of the Ottawa 67’s is seen battling in front of the Barrie net in an April 2026 game. Spitznagel scored his first goal of the season on Wednesday against Brampton. Photo by Tim Austen, Ottawa 67's /Handout

Article content

“There’s no pressure on him other than to be really physical. Not running around crazy physical, but physical shifts that generate some emotion and some momentum for a club.”

Article content

At the same time, Cameron admitted, “It’s always nice to see your grinders score.

Article content

“The bench gets excited,” he said, “because they are usually your hardest workers in the dirtiest areas. There’s always a little emotional lift when those types of guys score for you.”

Article content

Spitznagel has followed a unique path to Ottawa.

Article content

He was born in New York City and moved to Los Angeles before he was a year old, but calls himself a “Michigan kid because I spent most of my childhood there … that’s where my roots are.”