Aston Rebels netminder Jack Leavy recorded his fifth shutout on the season to help back the Rebels to a 3 – 0 win and complete a weekend sweep over the visiting Northeast Generals. It was the Rebels fourth win in a row against the Generals in as many games.
Auggie Moore would get the Rebels on the board first, which would become eventual the game winner. Brennan Kapcheck had the puck at his own blue line. He sent a center ice pass up to Gianluca Esteves who entered the Generals zone on a three on three near the far side boards. Esteves carried the puck deep inside the Generals zone and around the net. As he started to skate towards the near side faceoff circle he backhanded a shot on goal that was redirected by Moore in front of the net passed Northeast’s goalie David Fessenden to give the Rebels a 1 – 0 with 3:59 remaining in the first period. It was Moore’s fourth goal on the season.
Despite being outshot 29 – 10 after two periods the Rebels entered the third leading 1 – 0. Fessenden, who played well in Friday night’s game, was stellar in the nets. The tall, lanky goalie made several key saves to keep his teammates in the game.
Dom Garcia displayed his true leadership and unselfish play on the Rebels second goal. Northeast dumped the puck into the Rebels zone where Leavy fielded it at the top of the crease and passed it to Kolby Vegara on his right. Vegara sent a bounce pass high off the far side glass that was picked up by Garcia at the Generals blue line. Garcia entered the offensive zone and cut across the goalmouth with two Generals draped on him. Garcia sent a pass back between his legs to a wide open Drew Blackmun in the slot who one-timed it passed a fallen Fessenden to make it a 2 – 0 with 12:46 left in the game. It was Blackmun’s fifteenth goal on the season but it was Garcia’s twenty eighth assist which leads the team.
Jensen Zerban would complete the scoring for the Rebels. With the Rebels on a delayed power play, Zerban had the puck to the right of the Generals net. He sent a pass back to the point to Justin Smith. Smith took a drive that just missed the net but it bounced off the back of the boards where it was retrieved by Aaron Maguyon. Maguyon wrapped around the net and sent a goal mouth pass to Zerban who lit the lamp with 9:30 remaining in the game. It was Zerban’s eighth goal on the season.
Leavy stopped all seventeen shots he faced while Fessenden turned aside 44 of 47 shots. Click here for the box score. It was Leavy’s second consecutive shutout, both against the Generals.
The Johnstown Tomahawks visit the Rebels next weekend for two games. The Rebels currently have a ten point lead on the second place Tomahawks.
