How Spencer Bowes is leading red-hot 67's offensively while in a defensive role

Say this for the Ottawa 67’s: They respond well to a slap in the face.

Since suffering one of the most lopsided defeats in franchise history — a 10-3 spanking in their home opener at the hands of the Sarnia Sting — the 67’s are on a 6-0-1 run that has lifted them into the Canadian Hockey League’s top-10 rankings.

With a 7-1-2 record, Ottawa sits No. 6 in the country, behind only the Guelph Storm (9-2-0), London Knights (7-2-1), Quebec Remparts (8-2-0), Spokane Chiefs (8-1-0) and Val d’Or Foreurs (10-1-1).

Just as expected, but with a twist.

Take away the collapse against Sarnia, and Ottawa has given up an average of fewer than two goals a game (nine in 17).

Offensively, leading the charge, is Spencer Bowes, the Carleton Place product who is living up to the promise he showed with a strong second half last season.

Bowes has nine goals, tying him for fourth among all OHL snipers while having games in hand on the leaders.

“It’s a good feeling to be back and having a good start,” Bowes, a fourth-round pick of the New York Rangers in June, said after scoring the late equalizer and overtime winner in Ottawa’s 3-2 victory over the Oshawa Generals last Saturday. 

A developing comfort.

“Just trusting your teammates,” said Bowes. “You’ve got to learn how to play with different guys in different moments. There’s been a lot of moving around … once you get the feel of your linemates and stuff, it’ll get going.”

That would suggest the best is yet to come.

Bowes has an obvious connection with Filip Ekberg, the Carolina Hurricanes prospect whose stats (four goals, nine assists) mirror his own 9-4-13 points pace.

“We played together a bit, like a couple of months last year, and then we’ve been together this whole year, so I think we’re starting to build a lot of chemistry together, and knowing where we’re going to be at,” he said. “So I’d say yes, good chemistry.”

Bowes, who didn’t score his ninth goal until Jan. 1 last season, has been moved from winger to centre, generally regarded as a more defensive and playmaking position.

“It was difficult at first …. I don’t remember the last time I played centre,” said the left-shooting, fast-skating 19-year-old. “But I’m enjoying it. It’s a lot more of a defensive role, and I think it’s a good challenge for me.

“You’re just everywhere. You know, corners, walls, everywhere. You’re not just kind of on your own side.”

Bowes acknowledged he has a lot to learn about taking faceoffs, but he’s getting there.

After winning just 44 percent (62 of 141) of draws, he was good on 68 percent (13 of 19) against the Generals.

“It’s tricky,” he said. “There’s a lot of different things, more than people think. What hand (opposing centres) are, all that type of stuff. There’s the timing, and if it’s on your half of the ice, you’ve got to put your stick down first. I didn’t know that at first. Like, if I went in to take a faceoff last year, I kind of just did it.

“I’m learning different techniques after practice, and all that stuff, and it’s working.”

The outstanding play of workhorse goalie Jaeden Nelson has continued, although rookie Noah LaGambina finally made his first start and stopped 23 of 25 shots in last Friday’s 6-2 victory over the lowly Brampton Steelheads in Cornwall.

Defenceman Ondrej Ruml (five goals, five assists) and 17-year-old centre Brock Chitaroni (two goals, eight assists) join Bowes and Ekberg working at a point-a-game pace, while first-round pick Andrew Laurin has four goals (along with three assists) to rank fourth among all OHL rookie snipers.

The 67’s are also excelling once again in shorthanded situations – and limiting them.

Only two of the 20 OHL teams have fewer penalty minutes than the 113 the 67’s have through their 10 games.

They also have the league’s second-best penalty success rate at 85.7 percent.

They have two games this weekend, starting with Friday night’s visit to Kingston and a meeting with the Frontenac (7-5-0).

The 67’s and Fronts meet again on Sunday (3 p.m) at TD Place.

Ottawa came up short in a 3-2 overtime final when the two teams opened their season schedules on Sept. 20 at Slush Puppie Place.

The 67’s play their only morning game of the season on Wednesday when they face the Steelheads in a  “school-day” matchup at TD Place. Game time for that one is 10:30 a.m.