Bringing it Home
Oshawa, ON- The Brampton Steelheads make it to Game 6 after squashing the Oshawa Generals 6-3. With the combined efforts of Luke Misa, who put up five points (1G, 4A), and Brayden Gillespie dominating between the pipes (27 saves), the Trout brought the victory home to force Game 6.
It was down to the wire as the Steelheads entered Game 5 against the Generals. With everything on the line to remain in the Round 1, the Steelheads put all forces forward as they began their push to make it to Game 6. With a strong offensive performance, especially with the likes of Misa and Carson Rehkopf, alongside a stellar show from Gillespie, the Steelheads successfully brought Game 6 back home to Brampton.
In comparison to the other games in the series, Game 5 had a slower start as there was consistent back-and-forth in the opening five minutes. Yet, as special teams were unlocked at both ends, the pace quickly shifted, leading to the eventual tie game to end the period.
Porter Martone got it started for the Trout after Lauri Sinivuori was called for interference. With the extra attacker for two minutes, the Steelheads immediately set up and began their pursuit for the ice breaker. Luke Misa got the puck over to Finn Harding at the point, which allowed Harding to drop it down low for Martone. After finding the right angle, Martone fired it over the shoulder of Jacob Oster to give the Trout the lead.
The Steelheads’ lead did not last long as the Gens got their turn on the power play, leading to the tie game. In an unfortunate series of events, Stevie Leskovar attempted to curtail an Oshawa scoring opportunity but got tangled up with Noah Powell, resulting in a slashing penalty. To make matters worse, the play also led to a collision out front, resulting in Jack Ivankovic leaving the game.
Now with their turn with the man-advantage, the Generals turned the tables to tie things up. A shot deflected out front off Sinivuari back to Luca D’Amato at the point. D’Amato then sent the puck across for Andrew Gibson, allowing him to set up and get Oshawa on the board.
Despite coming in cold and the Gens getting one past him, Brayden Gillespie completely stepped up between the pipes. For the remainder of the first and throughout the second, Gillespie dominated his crease to keep Oshawa at bay and allow the Trout to take the lead.
With Gillespie making 19 out of 20 shots faced throughout the opening 40 minutes, Brampton was able to take over the second period to give themselves a three-goal lead. Misa got the Steelheads’ first goal of the period off a nice feed from Martone. Stripping the General’s defense of the puck behind the net, Martone sent the puck out front for Misa, who got the initial shot on Oster. Catching his own rebound, Misa fired again, but this time got it past Oster to give the Trout the lead.
Rehkopf soon followed Misa with his first of the game. Aiden Lane got the offensive zone entry before dropping it back to Misa, who found Rehkopf and sent him a pass. Setting up in the high slot, Rehkopf ripped one on goal, sending it past Oster to extend the Trout’s lead to make it 3-1.
The Seattle Kraken prospect doubled his goal tally soon after on the power play. After D’Amato was called for cross-checking, the Steelheads immediately went on the offensive and began generating scoring chances. Rehkopf came close to getting an early goal but got denied by Oster, who made an incredible glove save. Yet, Rehkopf got his redemption shortly after, when Misa set him up with a pass from the point for the one-timer.
Leading 4-1, the Steelheads had 20 minutes to go before ensuring their spot in Game 6. It was an intense third, especially after the Generals battled back to make it within one, but it was to no avail as the Trout left everything on the ice to extend the series.
After Lane was called for hooking, Luca Marrelli sparked some life back into the Generals on the power play after Colby Barlow set him up at the point. Firing through traffic, Marrelli got it past Gillespie. Another round of special teams allowed the Gens to make it within one, after Barlow traded an assist for a goal of his own.
With three minutes to go and the score within one, the Generals pulled Oster to give it one last shot at forcing the tie. Yet, with Gillespie holding down between the pipes and both Mason Zebeski and Konnor Smith generating two empty-net goals in the final seconds, there was nothing the Generals could do.
The Steelheads return home this Sunday for Game 6. For tickets, click here.
