SmartStop Post-Game Recap – Sunday Night Misfortune
SmartStop Post-Game Recap – Sunday Night Misfortune
The Steelheads fell 6-3 in the first of two matchups against the Generals this week.
First Period
The Steelheads enter tonight’s contest looking to add on some previously built momentum as the Trout come into tonight’s game riding a two game winning streak. Tonight’s matchup against the Generals is an important one for the Steelheads, as they continue to battle for crucial points in terms of playoff seeding.
After a couple solid shifts strung together by the Blue and White, their momentum was killed as they were called for a penalty. The Generals entered tonight’s contest with the 4th ranked power play in the OHL, and it showed. Oshawa was able to make the most of the man advantage and scored just one second after the penalty expired to take the 1-0 lead.
The Steelheads responded well after giving up the first goal of the game, as Mason Zebeski looked to tie things up quickly. Zebeski entered the zone with speed and took a sharp angled shot that rang off the crossbar and post, however managed to stay out of the net.
Late in the period, the Steelheads received a power play opportunity that would see them starting the second period with a man advantage down 1-0.
Shots on Goal – 16 OSH/11 MISS
Second Period
The Steelheads began the second period with a man advantage, however had trouble gaining the zone and could not get their ideal setup. The best chance on the power play came off a rush by Adam Zidlicky, who went from end-to-end before the puck was swatted off his stick at the last second by an Oshawa defender.
Once the game returned to even strength, the Generals continued to pressure and were rewarded. Stuart Rolofs picked up a loose puck and fired it towards the net, the puck took a fortuitous bounce off of Cameron Butler and found its way past Beglieri to give Oshawa a 2-0 lead.
The Scoring didn’t stop there for the Generals, as they once again scored moments after a power play had expired. Luca D’Amato fed the puck over to Matthew Buckley who hammered a one-timer past Beglieri to make the score 3-0 in favour of the home team.
After the pace of play seemed to increase, the Steelheads finally got themselves on the scoresheet. As play was heading from end-to-end, Lucas Karmiris found himself with a rush opportunity and rifled a shot through the five-hole of the Generals netminder to cut the lead to 3-1. Mason Zebeski and Quinn Binnie picked up the assists, marking both their second points in as many games.
The momentum seemed to shift in favour of the Steelheads after the goal, however, it was once again a fortuitous bounce that went the way of the Generals. A clearing attempt was knocked down by an Oshawa player, moments later, from behind the net Beckett Sennecke’s centering pass bounced off a defenseman and found its way through Beglieri.
The Steelheads entered the second intermission down 4-1.
Shots on Goal – 10 OSH/13 MISS
Third Period
The Steelheads started the third period with fire, as they were looking to close the gap and get themselves back within striking distance. Pouring on the pressure early, the Trout generated a great opportunity off a point shot from Kasper Larsen which was redirected by Jack Van Volsen but was stopped by Oster.
After the Steelheads were pouring on the pressure, they were rewarded with a power play opportunity, but it was Oshawa who scored. Once again it was bad luck for the Steelheads as Ryan Gagnier directed the puck across the crease and it went in off the skate of Charlie Callaghan to make the score 5-1.
Frustration seemed to kick in for the Blue and White, as the physicality seemed to pick up toward the midpoint of the final frame. The physicality seemed to go to the legs of the Steelheads, as they were able to generate some offense. Angus MacDonell crashed the net and shoveled home a rebound generated by a point shot from Charlie Callaghan. MacDonell’s 28th goal of the season cut the deficit to 5-2. James Hardie also picked up an assist.
After the Trout scored, the game hit a lull and although the pace of play was fast, neither team were able to generate any good scoring chances for a lengthy period. Both teams were doing a good job denying lengthy zone time, which did not bode well for the Steelheads as they needed to generate offense.
The Steelheads took a penalty with about three minutes remaining in the game, which led to Oshawa securing their sixth goal of the night. Buckley rifled his second one-timer goal of the night past Beglieri to make it 6-2.
Porter Martone responded minutes later for the Steelheads with a goal assisted by Stevie Leskovar and Durham native Van Volsen. However it was too little too late for the trout and they dropped the contest 6-3.
Shots on Goal – 6 OSH/17 MISS
Total Shots – 32 OSH/41 MISS
Three Stars:
- Cameron Butler (1G, 2A)
- Matthew Buckley (2G, 1A)
- Luke Torrance (1G, 2A)
The Steelheads will look to bounce back and get some revenge on the Generals when they meet for the second straight game on Friday at the Paramount Fine Foods Centre. You can purchase tickets to Friday nights game by clicking here.
