Danny Battochio.
Who?
Danny Battochio.
If that name sounds vaguely familiar, he was a 20 year-old goaltender who played for the Ottawa 67's at the 2005 Memorial Cup in London, Ontario.
Battochio backstopped a 67's team that finished the 2004-2005 regular season with 34 wins, just one fewer than the Kelowna Rockets this season.
The 67's would finish as the 6th seed in their conference, the same seeding position as the Rockets in 2009-2010.
With Battochio providing solid goaltending, the 67's would beat third seeded Barrie in round one.
The 67's would then upset Sudbury in round two before using just four games to sweep Peterborough in the conference final.
The magic would eventually run out on Battochio and the 67's, who would lose to London in the 2005 OHL final. But because the Knights were hosting the Memorial Cup, the 67's got in as the league runner-up.
It's interesting that should the Brandon Wheat Kings win the league title this season, the runner-up will be awarded a Memorial Cup birth.
What Battochio and his 6th seeded Ottawa 67's teammates showed in 2005 is that indeed a red hot overage goaltender and a solid work ethic by the players in front of him can out duel teams with a significantly higher skill level.
Is Mark Guggenberger the next Danny Battochio to lead a 6th seeded team on a magical playoff ride?
Who knows.
What is clear is a 20 year-old goalie can take you a long way in the playoffs, even if you are a 6th seed.
Want proof?
Look no further than Danny Battochio.
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