Game Preview: Oshawa vs Peterborough
Game Preview
Oshawa vs. Peterborough
The Generals are looking to open up this weekend’s home stand with a win against the Peterborough Petes. Last season, the Generals accumulated six wins and two losses over the course of their eight game season series against the Petes.
Last weekend, the Generals opened the season with two wins and a loss. On Friday, the Generals got their first win of the season in Guelph where they defeated the Storm 3-0. Kenny Huether, Lukas Lofquist and Owen McDade scored for the Generals, while Matt Mistele added two helpers. Jeremy Brodeur got the shut out in net, making 23 saves.
On Saturday, Hamilton handed the Generals their first loss of the season by a score of 4-3. Stephen Harper had a hand in all four Bulldogs goals (2 goals, 2 assists) while Lukas Lofquist had a hand in all three Generals goals (2 goals, 1 assist). Brodeur made 32 saves in the loss.
The Generals got back into the win column on Sunday, dominating North Bay 5-0 in the season opener at GM Centre. Joe Manchurek led the way for the Gens with three goals. The line of Manchurek, Huether and Anthony Cirelli combined for 6 points and had a hand in all 5 goals. Jacob Graves, Jack Studnicka and Mistele each recorded two assists. Brodeur was excellent in net making 30 saves to earn his second shutout of the season.
Throughout the Generals’ first three games, their power play has been deadly for their opponents. The Generals power play is clicking at 35% having scored six power play goals in 17 chances. Their six power play goals are tied for the OHL lead.
The Petes earned a 2-0 record opening weekend after defeating Ottawa 5-4 in their home opener on Thursday and spoiling North Bay’s home opener on Friday by defeating them by a score of 4-1. Greg Betzold led the Petes in their first two wins of the season scoring three goals.
The Petes return this season without three of their top four scorers from a year ago. Eric Cornel (14 goals, 38 assists), a 2014 second round selection of the Buffalo Sabres and their top, returning point scorer from a year ago, will look to lead the way for the Petes. Cornel showed how dangerous of a player he was in 2014-2015 after posting a 25 goal season. He has shown he has the ability dish the puck as well, after leading the Petes in assists (38) last season. Along with Cornel, the Petes will call upon Carolina draft pick, Steven Lorentz (16 goals, 21 assists) and overage forwards Hunter Garlent (19 goals, 21 assists) and Greg Betzold (24 goals, 18 assists) to lead the way offensively.
The Petes are returning an experienced top four on the blue line. Tampa Bay prospects Matthew Spencer and Dominik Masin will return along with Cameron Lizotte and, leading defensive scorer, Kyle Jenkins (7 goals, 29 assists). The Petes will also return their top two goaltenders from a year ago, Matthew Mancina and Dylan Wells.
Along with many other teams, the Petes are looking for breakout years from some of their younger players. These players include the ninth overall selection in the 2014 OHL Draft, Jonathan Ang and the fifth overall selection in the 2015 OHL Draft, Zach Gallant.
The Petes played against Mississauga on Thursday, losing 6-1 for their first loss of the year.
