Generals battle for a perfect week
Captain Michael Dal Colle leaves game early after blocking shot
Above: Jeremy Brodeur makes one of his many saves during Sunday’s game. Below: Kyle MacLean fights for the puck on Nov. 1 during Oshawa’s 6-3 win over the Kingston Frontenacs.
By Joel Wittnebel/The Oshawa Express
The Oshawa Generals extended their win streak to three games on Sunday after defeating the visiting Kingston Frontenacs 6-3 in front of 5,565 fans at the General Motors Centre. The win was a bittersweet one after captain Michael Dal Colle left the game in the first period after blocking a shot off the leg. He did not return.
“I’m not going to discuss injuries. It’s nothing too severe, but he’ll be back,” said head coach Bob Jones following the win.
The game was a chance for Oshawa’s younger players to step up as the team was missing key offensive items in Matt Mistele (out with an injury) and Jack Studnicka (now competing at the U17 Championships)
And step up they did.
Oshawa native Matt Latin secured his first career OHL goal, Domenic Commisso scored off a brilliant rush through the Frontenacs defense and Lucas Lofquist added a pair of his own. Stephen Desrocher added a slapper from the point and Sam Harding waisted one into the top corner to round out the scoring.
However, the Gens seemed to slow down late in the third with a 5-1 lead turning into 5-3 after allowing Kingston to add a pair.
Jones says the mistakes could be ruled to fatigue on Oshawa’s shortened bench.
“The mistakes that we’re making at the end of the game are tired mistakes and we’ve got some youthful guys out there and we’ll work on stuff like that,” he said. “It’s a process for these kids learning the league, learning all the systems and the structure we want to play with and they’re taking nice strides ahead here.”
The game was also the first home game for star defencemen Mitchell Vande Sompel, who returned from injury last week.
“I feel really good. I think it was a long process for me, but one that I had to take with precaution,” Vande Sompel said of his return. “You always hate sitting up and watching your team play. Regardless if you’re winning or losing, you want to be out there and helping your team anyway you can.”
Jones was also happy to have Vande Sompel back on the blue line.
“He’s an elite player at this level, he’s an elite passer and an elite skater. He does the thing that other guys can’t do,” Jone said.
The Generals will take on the Hamilton Bulldogs at the GM Centre on Nov. 6, following which they will hit the road for games south of the border in Saginaw on Nov. 7 and Flint on Nov. 8