Generals Leave Seattle with Split

The Eugene Generals were able to do the improbable last weekend in the first two games of their Pacific Division Semi-final match up with the Seattle Totems. The Generals skated without eleven (11) of their skaters on Friday night, but were only defeated by a score of 6-3 and had a legitimate chance to win the game. The eleven Generals returned the next night, and the Generals stomped the Totems in an 8-3 victory. The Generals now have the upper hand with the next two games of the best-of-five series coming home to Eugene.

“Our guys battled all weekend,” Generals Head Coach Chris Hartly stated. “We were extremely out manned in the first game, but the thirteen guys on the ice played their hearts out. We knew that if the eleven players in the stands played that way the next night then we would come away with a win. It was our goal from the beginning to leave with at least one win in Seattle, and we were able to accomplish that goal. Now our goal is to put the series away at home. If our guys can play as well as they did last weekend I have no doubt in my mind that we can do that.”

The two games this weekend were what the playoffs are all about. Both teams played very physical hockey, and the difference was in the special teams. The Generals goal for Friday night was to slow the game down, and not take any penalties. The Generals were able to slow the game down, but Seattle went 5-13 on the powerplay. The Generals seemed to handle the Totems while the game was even strength, only allowing one even strength goal on the night, but the Seattle powerplay tipped the scale in their favor. The Generals were able to notch three powerplay goals, but weren’t able to capitalize on eighteen powerplay opportunities.

The Generals special teams dominated the second game, however. The Generals were able to double their powerplay output with six goals, and were even able to put up two shorthanded goals on the night. The Generals didn’t have a single even strength goal on the night, but their struggle in the regular season became their strength in game two. The Generals did allow two powerplay goals, however, and must correct their penalty kill before this weekend’s games.

The Generals were able to get big games by two key players. Lucas Romero and Ryan Schank played both games this weekend, and were each able to earn five points. Romero was the hero on Saturday with a hat trick. Ryan Schank was able to add a goal and two assists, and Michael Frei was able to net two goals and an assist. The Generals were also able to get some big offensive games from some unusual suspects. Erik Kroll was able to match his season goal total in two games this weekend as he scored a goal in each game. Carrick Cristiano was able to add three assists on Saturday, and Sean Woodring had his first two playoff assists in his three year tenure in the NOR PAC.

The player of the weekend for the Generals was arguably goaltender Nick Mayes. Maynes had an amazing game on Friday, despite allowing six goals, and was able to shut the Totems offense down on Saturday. Maynes made eighty (80) saves on the weekend, and finished with a .899 save percentage.

The Generals will face the Totems this Friday and Saturday at Lane Events Center-Ice at 7:35 for games 3 and 4 of the Pacific Division Semi-finals. Both games will be broadcast on GiTV. For more information on upcoming games please visit eugenegenerals.com.

For more information:
Chris Bilder, Public Relations/Marketing, Eugene Generals
541-359-4154 (office)
541-680-6222 (cell)