Oshawa Generals stay alive with 3-1 Game 5 win in Kingston

It’s never a good feeling when your stick puts your team in a hole but Oshawa Generals rookie Calum Ritchie was also able to use his stick for good Saturday night in Kingston, setting up the tying goal and scoring the winner as his club staved off elimination in their opening round series with a 3-1 victory over the Frontenacs.

Jordan Fransca put the home team up 1-0 early in the first period with Ritchie in the box serving a double high-sticking minor but it was Ritchie who won a draw and set up Oskar Olausson for the tying goal late in the period and it was Ritchie, who scored 19 goals during the regular season, who tipped in Ty Tullio’s point shot for his third goal of the playoffs on the power play and a 2-1 lead.

That goal would stand up to be the winner.

Brett Harrison scored the insurance goal – also on the power play – and Patrick Leaver (who shared the John Tavares Top Rookie Award this year with Ritchie) held the fort the rest of the way. Leaver made 44 saves and was named the game’s first star.

The teams are back at it Sunday night in Oshawa with KIngston up 3-2 in the series. Game 7, if neccessary, will be Tuesday at the Leon’s Centre in Kingston.

Oskar Olausson