OTTAWA – Andrew Agozzino’s overtime goal ended the Ottawa 67’s season, and coach Brian Kilrea’s storied career.
Agozzino scored 13 seconds into overtime to give the Nigara IceDogs a come-from-behind 4-3 win over the 67’s to win their best-of-seven Ontario Hockey League opening-round series 4-3. His goal came as he took a centring pass from Freddie Hamilton and beat Adam Courchaine low stick side.
It was the final game behind Ottawa’s bench for Kilrea, who retires with 1,193 wins, a Canadian junior hockey record. He will remain as the team’s general manager.
The 67’s were eliminated after forcing Game 7 with a 4-0 win over Niagara Monday in Ottawa.
The 67’s had a 3-1 lead heading into the third period, but Reggie Traccitto scored his second goal of the game to tie the score 3-3 at 12:17. Traccitto pounced on a loose puck in the crease after Andrew Shaw tucked the puck between Courchaine and the post.
The goal came on the IceDogs 18th shot of the period while the 67’s had yet to register one up to that point.
With the win, Niagara advances to face Belleville in the Eastern Semifinals , while Brampton & St Mike’s will play in the other Eastern Semifinal.
The Western Conference semifinals pit Windsor against Plymouth & London against Saginaw.
The schedules for those series have been released and are posted on our web page elsewhere.