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OHL Oshawa Generals

Generals Lose Border Battle to Whalers

December 16, 2011 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Oshawa Generals News Release


Oshawa, Ontario - The Generals had their hands full against the first place, West Division Plymouth Whalers Friday night. They fell 5-0 before a loyal crowd of 4,133 at the General Motors Centre in Oshawa. The Generals can take comfort in the fact that they're not the only team to struggle against Plymouth this year. Currently, the Whalers are red hot and boast a 9 and 2 record in their last 11 games. Generals' goaltender, Kevin Bailie, was admirable in defeat making 34 saves in the contest.

The Generals established a hard-nosed, physical tone from the get-go with Scott Laughton leading the way. Laughton was equally punishing at both ends of the rink plastering Plymouth skaters into the glass without discrimination.

Kevin Bailie got the call in goal for Oshawa and made a number of spectacular saves of the glove and pad variety in the opening twenty. It was difficult to choose, but Bailie's most impressive stop may have been on Rickard Rakell who was in all alone and tried to dangle past the Generals' goaltender. Bailie didn't bite, stayed square to the shooter and sent Rakell away empty handed.

Bailie surrendered two goals in the first period, but he could hardly be faulted on either scoring play. Plymouth's first goal came on the power play at 10:49 when Andy Bathgate pounded a rebound over Bailie's left pad from the curb side of the crease. Moments earlier, Bailie made a miraculous, lightning quick pad save on Jamie Devane leaving him at Bathgate's mercy. The Whalers were up 1-0.

Plymouth added to their lead at 15:54 when Rakell swatted a loose puck in the slot past Bailie short side to make it a 2-0 margin.

Whalers' net-minder, Matt Mahalak, faced just 5 shots in the opening frame. He also dodged a bullet when an Andy Andreoff deflection was waived off upon review due to a high stick. At the end of 1, the Generals were down by a pair and in debt to their goaltender: it could have been much worse.

The second period was a tightly contested affair that saw Plymouth add another goal to their lead. Through most of the frame, the Generals were much improved and showed resolve right away killing off an early Plymouth power play.

Peter Hermenegildo came close to breaking the ice for Oshawa hitting the right post at the 7 minute mark - a second instance of good fortune for Mahalak. Christian Thomas looked dangerous on the power play and came close to breaking in all alone, but alas, an airborne saucer pass was just out of his reach.

Alex Aleardi spoiled the period for the home side in the dying seconds scoring a highlight reel worthy goal. Aleardi blew by Oshawa's defence, cut towards the heart of the net and roofed a backhand over Bailie's right shoulder making the score 3-0 Plymouth. The Whalers were clearly in the driver's seat heading into the third.

The Generals initiated a solid forecheck at the start of the third that went unrewarded - nothing seemed to click. Thomas and Lucas Lessio came close to ending Mahalak's shutout bid with one-timers from the slot, but Plymouth's goaltender was sharp when he had to be and prevailed in keeping Oshawa off of the scoreboard. The Whalers scored two more in the final frame including Andy Bathgate's second of the game, a power play goal at 13:27.

The Generals won't have long to put this one behind them: they wrap up their pre-Christmas schedule at home this Sunday December 18th vs. the Ottawa 67's at the General Motors Centre. Start time is 6:05 PM.

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