Gens Celebrate Holidays with Home Win
Published on December 28, 2011 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Oshawa Generals News Release
Oshawa, Ontario - The Generals made a rejuvenated return to action in Oshawa Wednesday night. They started the second half of their season with a convincing 4-1 win over Erie before 4,854 captivated fans at the General Motors Centre. Scott Laughton scored twice and Andy Andreoff had a multi-point effort in the win. Strong special teams and a phenomenal performance by Generals goaltender, Daniel Altshuller, were the keys that drove Oshawa down the road to victory.
In the first period, shots were at a premium with Oshawa outshooting Erie by the narrowest of margins, 8-7. At the start of the frame, the Generals found themselves in instant penalty trouble: they were booked 3 times in the first 5 minutes of the game. This included a two-man Erie advantage that lasted one full minute, but excellent penalty killing held the Otters to just 1 shot during that span.
Oshawa's offence hit its stride on the power play with just over two minutes left in the period. Andy Andreoff found Christian Thomas at the point with a lovely pass from the half boards. Thomas crushed a one-timer past Otters goaltender, Tyson Teichmann, giving the Generals a 1-0 lead.
The Generals power play tasted success a second time at 18:24. After Teichmann made an impressive pad save on Lucas Lessio, Scott Laughton picked up the loose puck beyond the tip of the crease and roofed it with perfect precision. At the end of 1, Oshawa had a firm handle on the contest, they were winning 2-0.
The second period can only be described as the Daniel Altshuller show. Altshuller made more splendid saves than Beyonce has moves! By the end of the frame, it was crystal clear to Otters forwards that the Generals starting goaltender was not in the holiday spirit of giving.
Altshuller first made his mark three minutes into the second. The net-minder made an absolutely brilliant full splits, glove save on the goal line and completely robbed Kris Grant in the process. The accolades for Altshuller continued when he stopped Adam Pelech from point blank range on a critical Otters power play opportunity. His dominance became downright silly when he made a ninja-like left pad stop on Greg McKegg in the dying minutes of the period. McKegg skated away from the net shaking his head with a look on his face that said what everyone was thinking, that Altshuller was unreal!
True to their first period blueprint, Oshawa struck late in the second at 18:59. This time, it was Jimmy McDowell playing the sniper role: he blasted a point shot through traffic that beat Teichmann short side. McDowell's first of the season sent the Generals into the third period leading by a field goal, they were up 3-0.
The Generals took nothing for granted in the third and continued to crash the Otters zone. Oshawa came close to blowing the hinges off of the barn door when they appeared to take a 4-0 lead, but the goal was disallowed due to goaltender interference.
Erie finally solved Altshuller at 11:02: McKegg exercised his demons by accepting a saucer pass and launching the puck over Altshuller's left shoulder.
But it was too little too late, and Scott Laughton solidified the victory when he hit the empty net short-handed with 1:54 remaining.
The Generals outshot the Otters 40-32, and Altshuller made 31 impressive saves in the win.
Altshuller, Laughton and Andreoff were the game's first, second and third star selections.
Next up, the Generals head down the 401 this Friday December 30th to take on the Frontenacs in Kingston. Start time is 7:30 PM, and the game can be seen live on Rogers TV Durham.
Oshawa is back on home ice this New Year's Day, January 1st, vs. the Owen Sound Attack at the General Motors Centre. Puck drops at 2:05 PM and the Generals are continuing the 75th Anniversary Celebration by honouring fans and those who have contributed to the Generals community over the years. The team will recognize prominent billets from past and present as well as Booster Club President, Karon Shepperdson, among others.
Ontario Hockey League Stories from December 28, 2011
- Majors Top Storm - Mississauga St. Michael's Majors
- Gens Celebrate Holidays with Home Win - Oshawa Generals
- Canada Earns Decisive 5-0 Win Over Czech Republic - Niagara IceDogs
- Spirit Defeat Spitfires 3-1 - Saginaw Spirit
- Otters Lose in Oshawa, 4-1 - Erie Otters
- IceDogs Start Second Half with 2-1 Win Over Attack - Niagara IceDogs
- Plymouth Whalers Roll to 6-1 Win Over London - Plymouth Whalers
- Storm City Weekly - Guelph Storm
- Attack Take on Ice Dogs Tonight - Owen Sound Attack
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