The Robertson Cup divisional semi-final series moves to Attleboro tied at one game apiece between the Philadelphia Rebels and Northeast Generals. Game three will be played tonight and game four will be played on Thursday with both games starting at 7:00pm.
The Generals won game one 3 – 0 on a 24 save performance by Northeast goaltender David Fessenden. It was the Generals first-ever playoff win. Excluding last year’s Robertson Cup finals since it was an elimination game, Friday night’s loss was only the second time in team history that the Rebels had lost an opening round game (the other game was a 2 – 1 loss to the Fairbanks Ice Dogs in the Robertson Cup semi-finals). It also was the second time the Rebels had been shutout in the playoffs (3 – 0 loss to Fairbanks) excluding the finals.
The Rebels came out and dominated game two winning 5 – 1 on the strength of four, first period goals, including two from Konur Peterson.
If history holds true, then a game five will be played on Saturday night at 7:05pm. The last nine games (including the playoffs) between these two teams the Rebels have won every other contest. Philadelphia did, however, win five of eight games at the New England Sports Village by a combined score of 34 – 20.
The Generals have received a goal from four different players: Jeff Skinner, Michael Higgins, Matthew Wiesner and Matt Demelis, and they have ten players who have tallied a point respectively in this series. Northeast is 0 for 9 on the powerplay so far. Fessdenden had to be replaced by Marko Sturma just twenty-six seconds into the second period. Despite Friday night’s shutout, Fessenden has a 7.50 goals against average and a .871 save percentage. Sturma stopped all twelve shots he faced.
The Rebels have received goals from Peterson (two), Jensen Zerban, Eric Olson and Brandon Stanley. In all, a total of nine Rebels have a point respectively. Defensemen Nico Appendino and Carson Moniz each have two points (both assists). The Rebels so far are 2 for 4 (50%) on the powerplay. Ryan Keane has played in both games and he as a 2.00 goals against average and a .911 save percentage.
