Generals Topped by Ottawa, Down 3-0 in Series
April 21, 2019 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL) - Oshawa Generals News Release
The Generals returned to home ice tonight at the Tribute Communities Centre to battle the Ottawa 67's in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals. After winning four straight games to beat Niagara in the second round, the Gens have had a tough start to this series in Ottawa by falling down 2-0. With the hometown crowd behind them tonight, Oshawa aimed for a win to get themselves back into the series in Game 3.
Tonight's contest began with a pre-game ceremony to honour Gens alumni and 1990 Memorial Cup Champion Jarrod Skalde along with his son and Generals draft pick in the 2019 OHL Priority Selection, Skate Skalde, who dropped the ceremonial puck to kick off the evening.
1st Period:
To open the game, each team exchanged offensive zone time, but neither were able to generate many shots on net early. Just over six minutes into the contest, the Gens took the first penalty to put the 67's powerplay to work. With a strong kill, Oshawa was able to hold off Ottawa's man advantage opportunity and keep the game scoreless. However, back at even strength the 67's managed to break the tie and get the first goal of the game off a tip in front of the net to put them up 1-0. Past the halfway point in the period, the Gens had their best chance of the first after Anthony Salinitri threw the puck in front of the net for Allan McShane who nearly buried the puck, but 67's goaltender Michael DiPietro was able to make the save. Moments later, Gens goaltender Kyle Keyser answered with a nice save of his own to keep the score at 1-0. With just under two minutes left in the period, the Gens got their first powerplay after Ottawa took an interference call, but it was the 67's who got on the board with a shorthanded tally to put the score at 2-0 heading into the second period.
2nd Period:
The Gens opened the period with a penalty call for interference to give the 67's the man advantage. With the help of some big saves from Keyser, Oshawa held off Ottawa's offense and killed off the infraction. Nearing the midway point of the period, the Generals took another penalty for hooking to give the 67's powerplay another chance. Once again, the Gens strong PK was able to deny Ottawa's powerplay. Back at even strength, the Gens scored their first of the game off a rocket shot from defenceman Nicolas Mattinen in the slot to put the Gens within one at 2-1. After the goal, the Gens got into more penalty trouble with a delay of game call. This time around, the 67's capitalized on the chance with Marco Rossi putting in a loose puck in front of the net to put Ottawa up 3-1. With less than five minutes left in the period, the 67's took a penalty for goaltender interference, but Oshawa wasn't able to score on the resulting powerplay. To finish off the period, Ottawa scored their fourth of the game off a one-timer in front of the Gens net to put the score at 4-1 to enter the third period.
3rd Period:
The Generals got off to a tough start to the third, with the 67's adding to their lead with their fifth goal off another loose puck in front. After the goal, the Generals picked up the pace as they were able to spend a good portion of the period's opening half in Ottawa's end but couldn't pot one. With just under seven minutes left in the game, the Gens were called for a roughing penalty to put them on the penalty kill. Oshawa was able to limit Ottawa's powerplay chances and hold them off the scoreboard during the man advantage. As the game winded down, the Gens pushed to add to the score but weren't able to find the back of the net, ending the game at a score of 5-1 for the 67's.
After tonight's tough loss to the 67's, the Gens will look to stay alive on home ice as they remain in Oshawa for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Wednesday at 7:05pm. Click here to buy your Round Three tickets!
Round Three Home Schedule:
Game 4 - Wednesday, April 24th at 7:05pm
Game 6 (if needed) - Sunday, April 28th at 6:05pm
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Ontario Hockey League Stories from April 21, 2019
- Generals Topped by Ottawa, Down 3-0 in Series - Oshawa Generals
- 67's Push Generals to the Brink with 5-1 Win - Ottawa 67's
- Western Conference Finals - Game 3 Preview: Guelph Storm at Saginaw Spirit - Guelph Storm
- Game Preview: Gens Look for First Win of the Series Tonight against 67's at Home at 6:05pm - Oshawa Generals
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