Oshawa Generals fall to Hamilton Saturday night for first regulation loss of new season

Avery Hayes scored three goals – including the game-winner midway through the third – as the Hamilton Bulldogs beat the Oshawa Generals 5-3 on banner-raising night in the Steel City Saturday night

It was the General’s first regulation loss of the season.

Rookie Beckett Sennecke and veteran Stuart Rolofs each had a goal and an assist for Oshawa, who tied the game at the 6:47 mark of the third before Hayes completed his hattrick three minutes later.

Cole Brown and Patrick Thomas (into an empty net) also scored for Hamilton, who raised their 2021-22 OHL championship banners at the game. Ryan Gagnier scored the other goal for Oshawa.

The night before Oshawa’s offence came out in full force in Niagara, doubling up the Ice Dogs 6-3 at the Meridian Centre.

Cal Ritchie and Cameron Butler each recorded a goal and an assist for the Generals while Dylan Roobroek added three assists.

Sennecke, who is enjoying a strong start to his OHL career, and Cameron Butler had a goal and an assist apiece while Rolofs, Luke Torrance and freshmen defenceman Ben Danford, with his first career OHL goal, had the other Oshawa markers.

Juan Copeland, Pano Fimis and Declan Waddick scored for the Ice Dogs.

Oshawa, with a 3-1-1 record, sits second to Ottawa in the strong East Division where all five teams are currently playing better than .500 hockey. The 67s are perfect so far at 4-0.

Hamilton, which beat Owen Sound 4-1 Friday, is now 3-1 along with Peterborough. Kingston is 2-1-1.

The Generals are home to the unbeaten 67s this Friday in a must-see match.