Gens headed to OHL final
Anthony Cirelli (left) and Tobias Lindberg celebrate during Oshawa’s Game 5 win over North Bay. Oshawa eliminated North Bay in Game 6.
By Joel Wittnebel/The Oshawa Express
The Oshawa Generals got thee sweet taste of redemption when they knocked out the North Bay Battalion to win the Eastern Conference final and stamp their ticket to the Ontario Hockey League final against the Erie Otters.
After being swept by North Bay in the eastern final last season, Oshawa was able to take this year’s series in six games, winning the final game in North Bay on May 3 2-1.
Speaking after the win, head coach DJ Smith said that both teams competed hard in the series, but Oshawa’s defense proved the difference.
“I thought we really competed hard defensively and made it as hard as possible for them to score,” Smith said in the post-game news conference.
The same was said by Gens’ goaltender Kenny Appleby. A solid force in the net, Appleby bounced back from a 6-1 loss in Game 1 to carry the Generals through the remaining games, nabbing two shutouts and holding a 0.926 save percentage.
“It’s been a great series for both teams,” Appleby said following the Game 6 win. “We battled hard all series. The guys tonight blocked shots and did everything right.”
Looking ahead to next series, Game 1 of which is Friday May 8, The Generals will be focusing on containing the offensive threat that is Connor McDavid.
McDavid is projected to be the number one pick in the NHL Entry Draft and has amassed 19 goals and 23 assists in 15 playoff games this year.
“He’s the best player in the world for a reason. You’re not going to keep him right off the board you’ve just got to contain him and all five guys on the ice have to be aware when he’s out there,” Smith says. “We’ll look at everything possible and really make him work.”
Smith added it will be the same strategy the Gens employed against North Bay, defense first. If McDavid wants to score, he’ll have to go through all five Generals on the ice, Smith said.
“We’re going to do everything possible to try and shut him down.”
With home-ice advantage, the Oshawa Generals will host the Otters in Game 1 on May 8 with the puck slated to drop at 7:35 p.m.
And fans won’t have long to wait for Game 2 which is the following day on May 9 at 7:05 p.m.