The Northeast Generals defeated the visiting Philadelphia Rebels 3 – 1 to take a two games to one lead in this best-of-five Robertson Cup Divisional semi-final series.
The Generals scored two, first period goals and road the coattails of a thirty-five save performance by goaltender David Fessenden, who made several grade A saves to keep the Generals in the game.
Northeast got on the board first just 3:55 into the opening period on Brady Gaudette’s first goal of the playoffs.
After Rebels goalie Ryan Keane made a tough, left-pad save the rebound went into the far side corner where it was picked up by Gaudette. The Braintree, MA native would send the puck to Mike Egan in the slot, who in turn passed the biscuit back to Luke Perunovich at the point. Perunovich would circle towards the center of the blue line and take a shot that was saved by Keane but Gaudette was to goalie’s right and he tucked in the rebound to make it a 1 – 0 game.
The Generals would make it 2 – 0 with 5:09 remaining in the first period.
Just prior to the Generals taking a two-goal lead, Rebels forward Brandon Stanley had a chance to tie the game but couldn’t control a rolling puck and the shot went wide of the net.
Colin McCabe would pick up the loose puck along the far side boards and skate back into his own zone and then head up along the near side boards. After gaining the line, he sent a seem pass over to Brendan White on his left, and McCabe took a wrist shot that beat Keane blocker side to double the Generals lead.
The Rebels would cut the Generals lead in half just 2:08 into the second period.
Ryan Patrick would pick up the loose puck along the far side boards and backhand it over to Jensen Zerban on his left. As Zerban entered the Generals zone, he took a low, far-side shot that Fessenden had to make a pad save but the rebound came right out to Aaron Maguyon who tucked the loose puck into the back of the net for his first goal in the series.
With 7:11 left in the game, Stanley was called for high-sticking to give the Generals the extra attacker. Twenty-two seconds later the Generals would double their lead again.
After receiving a return pass from Justin Jallen, Matt Demelis would take a long side shot that was saved by Keane but the rebound came right out to McCabe who tucked in the rebound to make it a 3 – 1 one game.
Keane, who played very well, stopped 26 of 29 shots while Fessenden stopped 35 of 36. Click here for the box score.
The two teams will met again tomorrow night at 7:00pm.One more loss and the Rebels season will be over.
