Gens move on to face pesky IceDogs
Oshawa bumps out Peterborough in five games to reach semi-finals
Oshawa General Tobias Lindberg weaves his way down the ice during eastern quarter-final action at the GM Centre. The Generals eliminated Peterborough in Game 5 to move on to face the Niagara IceDogs. Oshawa lost both games to the club during the regular season.
By Joel Wittnebel/The Oshawa Express
There are probably more than a few shorter sets of nails on those in attendance at the General Motors Centre on Good Friday to watch the Oshawa Generals defeat the Peterborough Petes in the opening round of the Ontario Hockey League playoffs.
The Petes, having picked up a win at home, forced a game five back in Oshawa, and it was clear they didn’t want to go down without a fight, backed up a stellar performance from goalie Matthew Mancina.
However, the onslaught from the Oshawa Generals, which amounted to more than 50 shots throughout the game, led to the Gens’ 3-2 victory and punched their ticket to the next round.
Persistence and the constant pressure from DJ Smith’s Generals were the difference throughout the series. However, weak special teams could become a factor moving into the next round.
In Friday’s game, the Gens were one for nine on the powerplay and allowed both of Peterborough’s goals while on the penalty kill.
Oshawa now stares down the nose of the Niagara IceDogs, a team they couldn’t figure out all season, dropping both of their meetings with the club; first on Nov.28, 4-1 and on Dec. 12, 5-3.
Niagara, fresh off eliminating the Ottawa 67s, will come to town on Friday for Game 1, followed by Game 2 on Sunday.