The first round of the North American Hockey League’s Robertson Cup playoffs begins this weekend with the divisional semi-final series pitting the number one seed Philadelphia Rebels against the number four seed Northeast Generals. It will be a best of five series with the first two games being played at the Class of 1923 Arena on Friday, April 13 and Saturday, April 14 with both games beginning at 7:05pm. The series then will move to the New England Sports Village for games three (Wednesday, April 18) and four (Thursday, April 19 – if necessary) starting at 7:00pm. A game five would be played at the Class of 1923 Arena on Saturday, April 21 at 7:05pm if needed.
Rebels vs. Generals Overview
The last two years the Rebels faced the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights in the first round, sweeping each series 3 – 0. This year the Rebels open up against the Generals, a team that is playing in its first playoff series in team history.
During the regular season the Rebels won ten out of sixteen games, although the last seven games each team won every other contest. The Rebels outscored the Generals by a total score of 65 – 43. The last time these two teams met was back on Saturday, March 31 when Northeast won 4 – 3 at the Class of 1923 Arena. In fact, the Generals took two out of three games that weekend. The Rebels won five of its home and away games respectively.
Justin Jallen had the most points against the Rebels with fifteen (6 goals and 9 assists). He also scored the most goals against Philadelphia. He was followed by Matt Demelis’ fourteen points (5 goals and 9 assists) and Mike Egan’s twelve points (5 goals and 7 assists). In sixteen games, Northeast was 8 for 61 (13%) on the powerplay. Generals’ netminders David Fessenden and Marko Sturma had a combined 4.00 goals against average and .890 save percentage with no shutouts.
Aaron Maguyon led the Rebels in points against the Generals with twenty (9 goals and 11 assists). He was followed by Ryan Patrick’s eighteen points (9 goals and 9 assists). Brandon Stanley had thirteen points (6 goals and 7 assists). Philadelphia went 22 for 58 (38%) on the powerplay in sixteen games. Goaltenders Eli Billing and Ryan Patrick had a combined 2.56 goals against average and .889 save percentage with one shutout (Billing).
Northeast Generals Overview
The Generals finished in fourth place in the East Division with a 29-26-4-1 record for 63 points, twenty-three points behind the Rebels. Northeast enters this weekend having won three out of its last five games, and they are coming off of a 2 – 1 road win against the New Jersey Titans. Egan led the team in total points with fifty-one (20 goals and 31 assists) while Colin Bilek had fifty (18 goals and 22 assists) and Louis Boudon had forty-nine points (17 goals and 32 assists). Jallen had the most goals on the team with twenty-three. Matthew Wiesner had the most game winning goals with five. He also has the most penalty minutes with 130 while Boudon had a team best +23.
The Generals scored 184 goals in sixty games (tenth most in the NAHL). They also allowed 205 goals (nineteenth most in the league). The Generals were ranked twelfth in the league on the powerplay having scored on 19.1% of their chances while they were ranked twenty second in the league on the penalty kill having prevented the opposition from scoring 71.3% of the time.
Fessenden and Sturma combined for a 3.26 goals against average and a .910 save percentage with two shutouts (one each).
Rebels Overview
The Rebels finished with a 41-15-3-1 record for 86 points. They were tied for second in the league with the most wins. Philadelphia enters this weekend having one four out of its last five games, and they are coming off of a 3 – 1 road win against the Johnstown Tomahawks.
Maguyon led the Rebels in total points with fifty (24 goals and 26 assists). Patrick was second on the team in total points with forty-eight (22 goals and 26 assists) while Luke Radetic was third with forty-four points (23 goals and 21 assists). Maguyon led the Rebels in goals with twenty-four. Adam Peck had the most game winning goals on the team with five. Eric Olson had the most penalty minutes on the team with 119 while Carson Moniz had the team’s best +/- with a +17.
Philadelphia scored 206 goals in sixty games (second most in the league), and they allowed 134 (fourth best in the league). The Rebels led the league on the powerplay having converted on 32.2% of their chances, and they were ranked tied for second in the league on the penalty kill having prevented the opposition from scoring 86.1% of the time.
Billing and Keane had a combined 2.14 goals against average and a .917 save percentage with six shutouts (each have three).
