Gens Fall 4-3 to the IceDogs
OSHAWA, ON – The Oshawa Generals fell to the Niagara Ice Dogs 4-3 in the shootout Sunday at the Tribute Communities Centre.
This was the Gennies first game on home ice this preseason as well as the preseason finale, giving fans a chance to get a look at the team before they head on the road to Brampton for the season opener.
Jaden Cholette got the start between the pipes for the Generals before Cruz Reznik took over in the second half of the second period due to preseason rotation.
The IceDogs countered with Vladislav Yermolenko, who got the full 60 minutes today.
First Period:
The opening period was a tight one with both teams trying to get into the game, but Generals goaltender Jaden Cholette stood tall early to keep the Gennies in the game.
It started early with a fantastic glove save after the IceDogs were able to work the puck into the high slot for a great opportunity. After Chollette was able to keep the game tied early, it felt like the Gennies found their stride.
Jakub Kuklinski found himself on a breakaway with IceDogs goaltender Yermolenko, but Yermolenko was able to make a big-time stop to keep the game goalless.
Not long after, Cole Mazzoni fired his first of the preseason home to give Oshawa the 1-0 lead. Mazzoni came flying down the wing and sniped it short side over Yermolenko’s glove with just under three minutes to go in the period.
Unfortunately, the IceDogs answered back quickly with just 35 seconds to go. Chase Hull took the puck and fired it through a crowd past Cholette for his first of the preseason.
Ending the first period tight with a goal for each side felt fair, after both teams had their chances to take early leads.
Second Period:
The second period felt like an extension of the first with a lot of scrappy play but also chances at both ends of the ice.
It started with both teams trading two-on-one opportunities but failing to connect on the final pass, and then the IceDogs ringing the crossbar shortly after.
Cholette made one last great stop on a three-on-three rush to keep the game tied 1-1 before he was later replaced by Cruz Reznik.
Reznik had appeared in two games this preseason before being put in halfway through the second period for preseason rotation.
Unfortunately for Reznik, he didn’t have much of a chance on the IceDogs first real opportunity on him. A nice passing play found IceDogs forward Stepan Stejskal alone in the slot, and he made no mistake, putting it past Reznik to give Niagara the 2-1 lead.
The Gennies tied the game back quickly after Generals forward Tyler Hinde scored a nasty shorthanded breakaway goal past Yermolenko.
Shorthanded goals would become a trend in this game, with each team not playing the sharpest on the man advantage.
Niagara took the lead back with a shorthanded goal of their own after IceDogs centre Jared Langdon beat Reznik on a wrap-around to take a 3-2 lead that the IceDogs would carry into the intermission.
Third Period:
The Gennies played a hard third period, and Reznik had a big period to keep it a one-goal game.
After chances continued to be traded, the Generals got sent to the power play with less than three minutes left in the game.
Oshawa had a few chances throughout but with 1:05 left in the third Gennies forward Onni Kalto banged home a rebound to send it to the shootout.
Kalto’s goal was huge for a power play that was scuffling after the preseason opener against the Owen Sound Attack.
Unfortunately, all three Generals shooters missed in the shootout while IceDogs winger Alexander Hage beat Reznik for the game-winner.
The Generals had looks on the power play today, which was encouraging after a tough preseason.
Both goaltenders played well for Oshawa as well today, making huge stops to keep the game tight.
After a solid showing in the preseason finale, we look onward to the regular season! The season opener in Brampton will take place on Friday, Sep. 18th.
