St. Patty's Day Hat-Trick
Published on March 17, 2013 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Oshawa Generals News Release
Oshawa, Ontario - The Generals closed the regular season with an overtime thriller on Sunday night, beating the Sudbury Wolves 3-2 before a sold-out St. Patrick's Day crowd of 6,029 at the General Motors Centre in Oshawa. Lucas Lessio's overtime winner came with just 12 seconds left and completed the hat-trick, sending the Generals into the playoffs on a winning roll. With the winner, Lessio finished with 6 points vs. the Wolves in 4 games played this season.
The first was a cautious frame that saw limited chances, with Oshawa scoring the lone marker in the final seconds of the period.
Ken Appleby got the call in goal for Oshawa, and looked sharp early, coming up with a pad save on Dominik Kubalik, who fired from point blank range. Going the other way, Lucas Lessio nearly countered with an end-to-end rush, but Taylor Dupuis was up to the task, keeping the score all zeroes.
Undeterred, Lessio persevered during 4-on-4 action. With 4 seconds left, Brian Hughes won the draw back to Lessio who wired his 17th past Dupuis, giving the Generals a 1-0 lead. The goal was Lessio's 4th point in as many games vs. the Wolves this season.
Sudbury turned the tables in the middle twenty, striking twice for a 2-1 advantage. Ray Huether got the ball rolling at 1:56, scoring his 7th on a rebound after Appleby stopped a shot from the top of the circles.
Tied at 1, Nicholas Baptiste cashed in on a penalty shot, rocketing a glove-side wrister for his 21st of the season.
The Generals had their chances with Cole Cassels and Michael Dal Colle both ringing posts, but through 40, Sudbury led by the slimmest of margins, despite Oshawa outshooting the Wolves 22-14.
In the third, Oshawa hit the game's reset button, with Lessio notching his second of the night at 7:09, knotting the contest at 2. Dal Colle set the table, feathering a high-slot pass to Lessio, who ripped the puck stick-side for his 18th of an injury shortened campaign, making his offensive output that much more impressive.
Regulation solved nothing, sending the game to overtime. The contest seemed destined for a shootout when Dal Colle and Lessio worked their magic all over again, cooking up the sudden-death winner.
With just 12 seconds remaining, Dal Colle went back to the blueprint, floating a high-slot pass to Lessio, who made no mistake, rifling home his 19th for a 3-2 Generals victory.
Lessio was named the first star of the game in what can only be described as a dominant performance.
Oshawa outshot Sudbury 39-19.
Oshawa's quest for the Robertson Cup begins this Friday March 22nd when the Generals meet their first round matchup, the Niagara IceDogs, at the General Motors Centre. Start time is 7:05 PM, and the rivalry is at an all-time high, with the two teams clashing in the OHL playoffs for the third consecutive season. Purchase your tickets today, and help cheer on the Gens as they begin what will hopefully be a deep playoff run!
Ontario Hockey League Stories from March 17, 2013
- St. Patty's Day Hat-Trick - Oshawa Generals
- Labardo Scores in Pro Debut with Fort Wayne - Erie Otters
- Oakville Rangers Win 2013 OHL Cup Championship - OHL
- Fronts Awards Banquet Recognizes Individual Efforts - Kingston Frontenacs
- Spits drop 4-3 decision in OT - Windsor Spitfires
- OHL Announces 2013 Playoff Schedules and All Remaining Scenarios - OHL
- Playoff Opponent Set Following Saturday Win over Kitchener - Soo Greyhounds
- IceDogs Drop a Tough Decision in Barrie 3-2 - Niagara IceDogs
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