The Ottawa 67s are battling the injury bug heading into their battle for first place with Oshawa on Friday at the Rona Centre, but they expect to have a healthy lineup by the start of the playoffs.

Shane Prince, second on the team behind Tyler Toffoli with 88 points in 59 games played, was sent home and hasn’t been practicing with the team after receiving a mild concussion last Friday following this hit by Tim Billingsley of the Niagara Ice Dogs:

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Some argue that it was a clean hit and Prince was just caught with his head down, but the league disagreed, handing the 21-year-old defenceman and Phoenix Coyotes prospect a 10-game suspension.

I caught up with Dalton Smith after the team’s optional practice on Thursday afternoon, and Smith says it isn’t too serious and Prince should be expected back in the lineup for playoff time. It would seem as though it’s more precautionary than anything, and the 67s just want him to be fresh and healthy for the playoffs.

I also learned that Cody Lindsay is very close to returning, and he’d like to play in Friday’s big game against the Generals – very promising news for the 67s. If he doesn’t dress for that game, you can expect him to play during Sunday’s season finale and possible first-round playoff preview versus the Sudbury Wolves.

The mood following the optional skate was light as the remaining players were joking around and keeping a positive mindset for their upcoming divisional matchup. Remy Giftopoulos was the last person off the ice at practice as he spent the extra time shooting pucks.

Before everyone left I also had a chance to talk to second-year centre Tyler Graovac. When asked if he’s hoping for a first-round matchup with the team he grew up cheering for, the Brampton Battalion, he said not at all. Both Graovac and Smith said they believe Ottawa would have a favourable matchup with the Wolves, who the 67s haven’t played since the second game of the season when they won 4-2.

Shane Prince is out of the Ottawa lineup after suffering a mild concussion.

Graovac also said Friday’s game is going to have a playoff atmosphere, and the team is looking forward to playing in such a big game so late in the regular season.

The chance to wrap up home advantage through the first two rounds is key for a team that boasts a 23-5-3-1 record at home this year, ranking them in second in the conference in home winning percentage.

With the status of three of their top-six forwards still in the air for Friday’s game, the 67s will likely have to continue to rely on contributions from players lower on the depth chart like Graovac and Foglia if they’re going to wrap up the division on Friday night.

Notes:
- The Ottawa 67s announced on Thursday that playoff tickets are now on
sale for the opening game of their first-round playoff series.
- The Oshawa Generals have won four straight, while the 67s have points in
their last seven games having taken five straight before losing back to
back in overtime last weekend.
- The Ottawa 67s lead the season series 3-2, most recently falling 6-5 on
the road back on Jan. 15.
-In two games at the Rona Centre this year the 67s and Generals have
split: the Generals won 6-3 back on Oct. 1 to spoil Ottawa’s home-opener,
while the 67s struck back three weeks later with a 4-3 win.
- The Ottawa 67s clinch the division with a win, while the Oshawa Generals
can clinch by winning their final three games of the season, including on
Friday.

About the Author: JeffKrever

Entering his rookie year with TSR, Jeff is looking to make a name for himself in sports journalism. Born in Brampton, Ontario, he is third-year journalism student at Carleton University in Ottawa, where he now calls home. Jeff has been a life-long hockey fan, and will now look to make a career out of the game he loves. He is excited to bring to the table his experience as a writer along with his knowledge and passion for hockey.