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Oshawa Generals

Gens Tame IceDogs in Game Four

April 16, 2015 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Oshawa Generals News Release


The Oshawa Generals jumped ahead 3-1 in the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals after a 7-4 win tonight in Niagara. Although the IceDogs led the shots the whole game, your Gens were able to secure seven goals and take the win at the Meridian Centre in Niagara. Michael Dal Colle walked away with an impressive two goals and three assists. The Gens will be back tomorrow on home ice where they can eliminate the IceDogs in game five. Tonight's win gave the Niagara IceDogs their first loss on home ice of the playoffs.

The first was full of penalties as both teams had their fair share of time in the box, however the Generals managed two goals. From the drop of the puck and a hard fore check, Hunter Smith got the first shot of the game within 12 seconds of play. After a scramble in the IceDogs crease just three minutes in, Smith and Anthony Difruscia got sent to the box for two minutes each. Just at the first couple penalties ended, Stephen Desrocher was called for high sticking putting the IceDogs on the first power play of the game. The game remained scoreless, as there were three more penalties to add. Hunter Smith capitalized on the man advantage as he grabbed his fifth of the playoffs with a rebound shot at 14:45 in the first, assisted by Mitch Vande Sompel and Michael Dal Colle. There was an issue regarding the fans around the Gens bench that put the game on pause, but the physical game continued. Michael McCarron got sent to the box and just moments later, Dakota Mermis joined him. This created a five on three for 59 seconds, which tested Kenny Appleby multiple times. With under a minute left in the first McCarron made it a 2-0 game, with assists by Dal Colle and Smith.

The IceDogs were put on their heels right from the start of the second. After some great puck movement off the draw, Cole Cassels grabbed his second of the playoffs just 20 seconds into the period. After Hope saved Dal Colle's breakaway opportunity, he got one past him just moments later to capture his fifth of the playoffs. Gens were up 4-0 just 3:44 into the second but did not let up. Knowing they were in trouble, the IceDogs coach, Marty Williamson called a time out. This created an opportunity off the draw, but this was no issue Appleby who continued to make some great saves throughout the period. The penalties remained quiet until DiFruscia sent the Generals to the power play. The boys in red continued to be all over the puck completely shutting down any opportunity the IceDogs had. Gens concluded the second with a four-goal lead and Dal Colle was involved in every one with a goal and three assists.

Niagara was able to stir things up in a nerve-wracking third period. After Matt Mistele was whistled for two, followed by a call to Dal Colle, Niagara capitalized on the two-man advantage with a quick goal from Carter Verhaeghe. Cassels left the ice after receiving a 10-minute misconduct 7:40 into the final period. Niagara's confidence grew as Verhaeghe got another one past Appleby after he had made multiple great saves. Just 17 seconds later, Jordan Maletta made a deflection off a shot from the point to make it a 4-3 game. The Generals managed to kill off Smith's penalty as Bradley Latour had two great shorthanded opportunities. During a three on two, McCarron put one past Hope with a rocket of a shot for his second of the night. The Gens were up 5-3 with just 4:55 left in the third, but the excitement didn't stop there. McCarron made a beautiful pass to Tobias Lindberg, which let the Gens breathe with a three-goal lead. Niagara didn't let up easy and managed to score another in the final two minutes, which was first reviewed and then later declared a good goal. With Hope to the bench, Dal Colle scored his second goal of the game, and fifth point of the night.

Join us back at the GM Centre tomorrow, Friday April 17 as the Gens look to eliminate the IceDogs in game five of the series. The tailgate party hosted by Ontario Motor Sales, will be in action as the warm weather rolls in. Grab your tickets to cheer on the boys while they look to advance to round three. To purchase tickets, click here, visit the GM Centre Box office, or call 1-877-436-8811. See you tomorrow!

Shots on goal: Generals (26) IceDogs (34)

Molson Canadian Three Stars: Dal Colle (1) Verhaeghe (2) McCarron (3)

Final score: Generals (7) IceDogs (4)

Check out the Oshawa Generals Statistics

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from April 16, 2015


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