Generals enjoying a resurgence in Oshawa

By Aaron Bell

The Oshawa Generals haven’t been in the playoffs since the John Tavares era but they are getting a head start on a post-season berth already this season.

The Generals picked up wins over the Ottawa 67’s and Kingston Frontenacs this past weekend to push their season-opening start to a perfect 4-0 earning a second place rank in the BMO CHL MasterCard Top-10.  They will hope for the same luck again as they face those same two teams this weekend in Kingston on Friday night and hosting Ottawa on Monday afternoon.

After missing the playoffs the past two seasons, the Generals are suddenly the top scoring team in the OHL with 23 goals and have allowed just 10 goals against in four games.

“We have great offence this year,” said third year forward Christian Thomas, who enjoyed a terrific training camp with the New York Rangers before coming back in time to start the season with the Generals. “We’re a young group and we’re playing as a team.”

Thomas leads the Generals with five goals and seven points this season while Scott Valentine has contributed five assists from the blueline. Both players were acquired from the London Knights in the John Tavares and Michael Del Zotto swap two years ago.

That trade also brought in goaltender Michael Zador, a former first round pick in the OHL. Zador has won all four starts this season and has posted a 2.50 goals against average and .929 save percentage. He is among the league leaders in both categories.

Oshawa opened the season by sweeping a home-and-home series with their arch-rival Peterborough Petes.

The Generals now welcome back the likes of all-star defenceman Calvin de Haan, who got an extended look from the New York Islanders but returns to the Generals as Captain. Meanwhile newcomers like Lucas Lessio, Scott Laughton and Josh Graves have been making early contributions.

“They’re really fitting in well,” Thomas said about the rookies. “It’s hard your first year but they’re doing great so far.”

Lessio, a first round pick of the Niagara IceDogs from a year ago, was planning to play in the NCAA but elected to sign with the Generals this season. He has three goals and four points in his first four OHL games.

The Generals also acquired draft picks from the Knights that so far have included rookie Cody Payne and brought defenceman Nick Quinn from Sudbury.

Boone Jenner, last year’s first round pick, is also likely to have a terrific sophomore season this year. He was forced to sit out of this past weekend’s games because of his participation in a fight-filled game against the Petes on opening weekend.

Jenner, the captain of Ontario’s Under-17 team last Christmas, also helped Canada win the gold medal at the Under-18 Ivan Hlinka tournament in August.

Unlike the previous two seasons, the Generals have been spreading the scoring around so far this season and Thomas said that has been one of the keys to their success.

“It helps a lot,” said Thomas, a 41-goal scorer last season. “Everybody sees the ice well and have been getting chances and they’re going in. Hopefully it keeps working out.”