Gens grab point but drop 4th straight in 3-2 loss to 67’s
Oshawa, Ont., – In the second of a back-to-back with the Ottawa 67’s, it was the 67’s grabbing the back to back wins.
The beginning stages of the first period were a repeat of Friday night in Oshawa, with the Generals taking all the possession early, outshooting the 67’s 5-0 after the first four minutes. Much like Friday night, the Generals ran into the haunting of Max Donoso and were unable to solve him.
Going the other way, the 67’s finally earned their first shot on net, before Cooper Foster quickly potted their second shot of the game for a 1-0 lead. Following the goal, Colorado Avalanche first-rounder Calum Ritchie muscled his way into a breakaway chance before again being robbed by the glove on Donoso.
The period continued to present much of the same, with Oshawa putting on all the pressure but not able to solve the 67’s netminder. After 20 minutes, the Generals trailed 1-0 despite outshooting the home 67’s 14-4.
It was a quick start to the second period for the 67’s, as on just their fifth shot of the game Ottawa would make it a 2-0 lead. Will Gerrior kept on a 2-on-1 and beat Oster clean. After allowing two goals on just five shots, Jacob Oster was pulled in favour of rookie netminder Noah Bender.
After a quick chat with head coach Derek Laxdal, Oster returned to the net.
Despite countless chances in the 67’s zone, the Generals still couldn’t beat Donoso. Trailing 2-0 on the scoreboard, the Gens continued to outshoot the 67’s 24-9 after 40 minutes.
After what felt like an eternity, the Generals were finally able to solve Donoso. After a bouncing puck couldn’t be corralled by the 67’s in the neutral zone, a brief two-on-one for the Generals ended up on Lockhart’s stick, before he buried it for his fourth of the year. With 15 minutes to go, the Generals only trailed 2-1.
Even with the momentum on their side, the Generals weren’t able to solve Donoso a second time until the dying seconds of the game. With Oster out of his net for the extra attacker, the Generals moved the puck around the entire 67’s zone before a flying puck hit off of New York Rangers prospect Dylan Roobroeck, and behind Donoso.
In overtime, both Donoso and Oster traded saves until the final few seconds. A nifty pass in front landed on the stick of Cooper Foster for an easy tap-in with just 2.5 seconds left on the clock. Despite outshooting the 67’s 37-21, they couldn’t complete the comeback and while grabbing a point, dropped their fourth in a row.
The Generals will have little time to dwell, as they’re back on home ice tomorrow night to take on the Sudbury Wolves at 6:05 for their 25th Annual Teddy Bear Toss.
