GAME PREVIEW: Final Showdown in the Shwa Between Gens and Division Rival 67s at 6:05pm
Oshawa has had a busy weekend facing off against division rivals. After a killer comeback in the Peter-Patch against the arch-rival Petes, which brought their first shootout win of the season, they took on the 67s in Ottawa on Friday.
The 67s have been the hottest team in the “O” this season and last. Austrian Marco Rossi was the first player to eclipse 100 points in the league, and he’s had a stranglehold on the league’s scoring race lead since mid-December. Oshawa has its own offensive weapons which will be on display tonight – making this a can’t miss event.
Tonight is Retro Night, so throw on your vintage clothing before you make your way to the rink to participate in our Retro Costume Contest. There will be classic pinball games to play on the concourse and the throwback music will be flowing all-night highlighted by karaoke on the videoboard during an intermission. You don’t want to miss this one.
Season Record (Last 10 games):
Oshawa Generals: 31-19-5-4 (5-2-1-2) – 2nd in East Division
Ottawa 67s: 46-11-0-1 (6-3-0-1) – 1st in the OHL
Season Series:
This is the seventh of eight times these teams meet this season – the last time the 67s play in the TCC for this regular season. Oshawa won the first game – Ottawa has taken the rest.
Game 1 at Ottawa; November 8th, 2019: 3-2 Oshawa win
Game 2 at Ottawa; November 30th, 2019: 4-3 Ottawa win
Game 3 at Oshawa; December 20th, 2019: 5-4 Ottawa win OT
Game 4 at Oshawa; January 1st, 2019: 5-2 Ottawa win
Game 5 at Oshawa; January 19th, 2020: 5-3 Ottawa win
Game 6 at Ottawa; February 28th, 2020: 4-1 Ottawa win
Last Meeting:
Friday’s game took place in Ottawa. Marco Rossi started off the scoring for the 67s in the midsection of the first, with a wrist shot. Cameron Tolnai put the 67s up by two in the second. Oshawa started a comeback effort late with a goal from Brett Neumann with two and a half minutes left in the game. Ottawa added two empty netters to take the game. Ottawa starter Cedrick Andree earned the first star of the night stopping 37 of 38 from Oshawa’s potent offense. Jordan Kooy was also strong for Oshawa stopping 30 of 32 shots he faced.
Players to Watch; Oshawa Generals
Tye McSorley – McSorley is a key member of the Gens bottom-six forward corps. He throws the body like nobody’s business and leaves opponents hurting. McSorley possesses the rare ability to play with an edge without crossing the line often – 35 games, only 31 penalty minutes. McSorley will be on the ice when Oshawa needs a big hit, or strong play to be made to help bring some energy to the team.
Phil Tomasino, C – Phil “the Thrill” has been a rock for Oshawa since coming over from Niagara in January. He’s anchored the top line centre position and has found chemistry with Gens sophomore Ty Tullio – they’ve been inseparable. Tonight could prove to be a big milestone night for Phil, he sits with 98 points and with 39 of those as goals, he could record for his first 40-goal and 100-point season. A Nashville prospect, Phil has some experience with the pros having gone to his first training camp last October. He says the key thing he learned was that the pros treat their bodies so well, and has tried to include a better diet into his regiment to get to that next level.
Players to Watch; Ottawa 67s
Joseph Garreffa, C – Garreffa has excelled in his overage season with the 67s. He spent the first four full seasons of his OHL career with the Kitchener Rangers, but after an attempt to go pro with the Ontario Reign was postponed, and Kitch having their overage spots filled, he found himself needing a new gig. And it was the 67s who sent 3 third round picks for him, and Joe has continued his full career. On February 23rd, Garreffa recorded his 300th point and has added nine more in the week since. The diminutive forward has been around a point-per-game for each of the past four seasons including a 19 points in 19 games for Kitchener in the 2018 playoffs. He had three primary assists in Friday’s game and is always a threat for multiple appearances on the scoresheet.
News from the Week:
GensCast Episode 7: Featuring Ty Tullio Listen Here
