Oshawa (1) vs. Mississauga (8) Oshawa leads series 2–0
A much more determined Mississauga Steelheads team showed up to play in Game 2 against the Oshawa Generals on Sunday night at the General Motors Centre, but still returned home to Mississauga with the same outcome–another road loss.
Special teams were the difference on Sunday night as three of the five goals escaped both starting netminders, Spencer Martin (Mississauga) and Daniel Altshuller (Oshawa). Oshawa Generals’ third-year forward Cole Cassels ended the contest at 6:48 in overtime on the power play when he buried the puck behind Martin, giving the Generals a 3–2 win and a 2–0 first round series lead.
The first period was tough to watch for many of the Gennies’ faithful as the Steelheads were resilient in their attack and seemed to have more get up and go. At the end of 20 minutes of play, the Steelheads went to the dressing room with a 1–0 lead on a goal by Lucas Venuto. The second period saw Mississauga being more aggressive on the puck and Oshawa needing to capitalize on their chances. The Steelheads’ Martin was solid in net, making some key saves. Both teams traded goals in the middle frame to set up an exciting third period.
This game definitely had some ‘nasty’ to it with either team delivering punishing body checks to their opponent. “Big Rig” Hunter Smith continues to be a thorn in Spencer Martin’s side. Generals’ Head Coach D.J. Smith has 6’6″, 210 pound Big Rig planted firmly in front of Martin at the top of the goaltender’s crease on every Generals’ man advantage. Martin’s degree of visibility to the puck is virtually zero.
Josh Sterk, playing some of his best hockey of the season right now, scored at 4:16 of the third period to tie the game and send the contest into an extra frame on a hummer of a wrist shot from the top of the right faceoff circle. Sterk is extremely more valuable to the Generals on the ice than in the penalty box and needs to refrain from taking undisciplined penalties like he did in the first period.
Both teams resume play on Tuesday night when they meet in Mississauga for Game 3.
View from the Cheap Seats
Mississauga Steelhead’s 2013 OHL first round selection Sean Day is showing the poise of a veteran defenseman. The 16-year old is one of the smoothest skaters this writer has ever had the pleasure to witness. In the first period on Sunday night, Day defended one-on-one against Michael DalColle as DalColle was entering the Mississauga zone with the puck. Day performed yeomen’s work and fended DalColle off the puck. Day can also take some of the game’s hardest hits and still stay on his feet. This kid is special and someone to watch in the years to come.
Speaking of DalColle, can he ever dangle with puck and his fire power is second to none.
Is Oshawa’s own Daniel Altshuller breaking in a new trapper? In the overtime period on Sunday, his glove hand was giving him some difficulty as he seemed to be fighting the puck, unable to close his glove hand at the right time.
For the love of the game, I remain, Dean Eastman.
Dean Eastman is the Oshawa Generals correspondent for OurHometown.ca Dean was born in Cornwall and raised in Long Sault and has been a loyal Habs fan since the days of the Pocket Rocket and the Roadrunner. He now calls Whitby, Ontario home to his wife Heather and young sons Eric and Ryan. Dean is passionate about his hockey, whether it be from the junior or professional ranks. Dean will provide current news and views on the Oshawa Generals organization from a global perspective. If you have questions or wish to contact Dean, you can email him at deastman@ourhometown.ca
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