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OHL Oshawa Generals

Gens Lose Tight Defensive Battle at Home

November 6, 2011 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Oshawa Generals News Release


Oshawa, Ontario - November 6th, 2011 - The Generals played strong two-way hockey Sunday night, but the third period proved the difference maker as Kitchener beat Oshawa 3-1 before a crowd of 3,235 fans at the General Motors Centre. Scott Laughton scored the lone goal for Oshawa, and Dan Altshuller made 41 stops in the defeat.

The Generals began the first period with careful and methodical coverage in their own end; intent not to make the first mistake of the game. Strong defensive play generated turnovers, and at 8:03, Scott Laughton capitalized on a blocked shot at Oshawa's blue line. Laughton pounced on the puck, outraced the Kitchener defence and roofed a backhand right into the penthouse of the net. Rangers' goaltender, John Gibson, was completely backed into his net on the play and could do nothing but watch as the puck sailed over his left shoulder.

Up 1-0, Generals' goaltender, Dan Altshuller made a critical glove save robbing Kitchener's leading scorer, Tobias Rieder. 4-on-4 action finally gave the Rangers the open ice they needed and at 10:54, Josh Sterk turned a 2-on-1 into the tying goal beating Altshuller from the off-wing glove side.

Oshawa's Penalty Kill was perfect in the first frame thanks in large part to Daniel Maggio who delivered punishing hits to Kitchener's forecheckers. Heading into the second, the game was even, 1-1.

In the second, Oshawa's offence was charged-up and looked destined to produce the lead. Lucas Lessio began the parade of almost-goals when he cannoned a slap-shot into Gibson's pads from the hash marks - Gibson also robbed Lessio on a breakaway in the first period. Moments later, Lessio circled the Kitchener goal and found Andy Andreoff who clanged the outside of the left post.

Chris Carlisle came up huge for the Blue, Red and White when he dove to break up a dangerous Kitchener 2-on-1 mid-frame. In the first two periods, Dan Altshuller made 27 saves that included a sprawling stop on Brandon Francisco who was camped out on Altshuller's doorstep but was not quick enough to beat the diving net-minder to the puck. Heading into the third, the shots were even at 28 apiece and the game was up for grabs, still tied at 1.

Both teams seemed far too tentative at the start of the third - neither side was prepared to take charge and win. In the early going, Altshuller exhibited excellent rebound control absorbing every dangerous Kitchener scoring opportunity. Rieder finally broke the deadlock at 9:04 when he got his stick on a loose puck behind Oshawa's goaltender and fired it into an open cage. Oshawa's best chance to respond came on a point shot from Chris Carlisle, but Gibson made his strongest stop of night by doing the splits and making a toe save. The Rangers added an empty netter making the final score 3-1, and they outshot Oshawa 44-35 on the evening. Dan Altshuller picked up the first star selection in the loss.

Oshawa begins a two game road trip this Tuesday November 8th where they take on their archrival, the Petes, in Peterborough. The game starts at 7:05 PM and can be seen live on Rogers TV Durham.

Oshawa's next home game is this Saturday November 12th vs. the Ottawa 67's at the General Motors Centre. Start time is 7:05 PM.

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