Generals Gain Victory over Bulldogs
January 30, 2016 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Brantford Bulldogs News Release
HAMILTON, Ontario - The Oshawa Generals (18-24-3-3) got 17 saves from Justin Nichols to defeat the Hamilton Bulldogs (17-26-4-0) 2-1 on Saturday night.
A battle for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference was a closely contested affair that would see Oshawa break through first less than two minutes into the game. A harmless looking shot from the corner by Domenic Commisso would elude Bulldogs starter Kaden Fulcher. Commisso's fourteenth goal of the year would be assisted by Eric Henderson and Daniel Robertson at 1:15.
That would be all the scoring for the first with the Generals outshooting the Bulldogs 7-4 and leading 1-0 heading into the second.
The Gens would again strike early in a period as at 0:56 of the second Alexandre Renaud would pick up a rebound in front and tuck it past Fulcher for his eighth of the year. Riley Stillman and Anthony Cirelli would draw the assists.
Some close chances on both ends would go for naught and again Oshawa would head into an intermission with the lead this time by a score of 2-0.
Hamilton would finally crack the shutout bid of Generals starter Nichols as Mitchell Mendonca broke in alone, went forehand then backhand and snuck the puck between the legs of Oshawa's keeper. Mendonca's second of the year would be assisted by Ondrej Kachyna at 4:56.
The goal would give Hamilton plenty of momentum but Nichols and the Generals would stand tall and hold on for the victory.
Nichols would make 17 saves in the win for Oshawa, while Fulcher would make 20 saves in the loss for Hamilton.
With the win Oshawa is now four points up on the Bulldogs for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
One of the keys to victory for Oshawa was the face off dot as they went 47-11 on draws in this one. "Guys have to bear down," said Bulldogs forward Matt Luff. "We need to be better on draws and it will be something that we continue to work on in practice. The more draws you win, the greater your puck possession time."
Hamilton is back at it tomorrow afternoon when they head to St. Catharines to take on the Niagara IceDogs. Game time is set for 4:00pm. The Bulldogs will return to the FirstOntario Centre on Saturday, February 6th to take on the Eastern Conference leading Kingston Frontenacs. Puck drop will be 7:00pm.
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