Oshawa Generals split weekend points but finish strong with 8-2 thrashing of Niagara Monday

The Oshawa Generals experienced an up-and-down weekend that started with two terrible periods at home against the Niagara Ice Dogs Friday night and finished with three excellent periods against the same club Monday afternoon.

Actually, the club posted four straight positive stanzas against the ‘Dogs (plus five minutes of overtime) but there was a stinker of a game up in Barrie in the middle, so the only thing clear about the weekend is the Generals had better get more consistent play if they want to challenge for a championship this season.

Still, three points out of a possible six isn’t all bad, especially after falling behind 6-2 Friday against Niagara. Both goalies took the brunt in this one, with coach Todd Miller pulling Patrick Leaver after four goals in the first, only to re-insert him to start the second.

It was the third period when the Generals came alive – more specifically, when Oskar Olausson came alive, with the newly acquired winger scoring four times (only a goal by Niagara’s Rodwin Dionicio prevented a natural four-goal hattrick) to help the Gens climb all the way back to 7-7 and force the extra session. It was Olausson’s second straight hattrick.

Niagara would prevail in the shootout, however. Callum Ritchie, Ty Tullio and Dawson McKinney had the other Oshawa goals.

The next night in Barrie the Generals were flat and badly outplayed, losing 5-1.  Tullio’s 25^th of the season being the only real bright spot.

Oshawa had a chance at redemption against Niagara on a Family Day matinee Monday and took full advantage, thrashing the Ice Dogs 8-2 to move to 24-17-5 on the season.

Brett Harrison scored twice for Oshawa, with singles to Ritchie, Tullio, Matthew Hill, Lleyton Moore, Matthew Buckley and Stuart Rolofs. Tullio and Rolofs both enjoyed four-point games while Harrison and Ritchie had three apiece.

Oshawa outshot Niagara 47-21.