Oshawa Generals drop a pair of games against OHL’s best

The Oshawa Generals had their first major tests of the young season on the weekend and though the effort was there the club came out on the losing end of games against the top two ranked teams in the Ontario Hockey League.

The Generals began their weekend adventure at home Friday night against the unbeaten Ottawa 67s on $5 beer night and the tenth-ranked squad from the nation’s capital – now 6-0 – took it to the Generals early, amassing a 3-0 lead by the three-minute mark of the second period.

A goal by overager Ryan Gagnier was all the Generals could do in mounting a comeback as Ottawa won 4-1.

Game 2 Saturday night at Paramount Fine Foods Centre in Mississauga was a tighter affair but the result was the same with Ethan Del Mastro scoring with just over three minutes remaining to lead the ninth-ranked Steelheads – now 6-1 on the season – to a 3-2 victory.

The bright spot for Oshawa was a highlight reel goal from sophomore star Calum Ritchie – his fourth of the year – that tied the game at twos late in a wild, four-goal opening period.

Calum Ritchie, oh my word 🥵🥵🥵

The 2023 #NHLDraft-eligible forward's filthy goal for the @Oshawa_Generals earns tonight's #BestOfOHL honours pic.twitter.com/TbsEz3mVI3

— OntarioHockeyLeague (@OHLHockey) October 16, 2022

Brett Harrison, with his first of the season, had the other Oshawa goal.

Patrick Leaver and Carter Bickle split the duties between the pipes for the Generals.

Oshawa, now 3-3-1, visits the Sleeman Centre in Guelph for their next game on Friday night.