Written by: Rory McGouran

The Northeast Generals swept the spotlights at the NAHL Showcase, winning three straight games in Blaine, MN.

Following a 5-2 win over Oklahoma for their first victory of the season on Thursday, the Gens completed the sweep on Friday and Saturday, defeating Watertown 5-2, and Chippewa 3-2, respectfully.

The victories even their season back to .500 with a 3-3-1-0 record.

In all three games the Generals gave up the game’s opening goal, but scored shortly after and never trailed by more than one through 180 minutes of play.

Friday’s game featured the first goal of the season for Cole McKenna, the second for Vinny Ipri, Spencer Hirsch and Kyle Murray Smith as well as the third of the year for Alec Hall.

Ipri, McKenna, Hirsh and Thomas Klochkov all finished with a pair of points, while Keagin Wilson secured his first career NAHL win in net, stopping 18 of 20 with the Gens being outshot 20-17 in the low shooting affair. Both teams also capitalized once on the powerplay.

Saturday needed a buzzer beater to hand the Gens a 3-2 victory and a three-game winning streak in the process.

Once again giving up the game’s first goal didn’t deter the hungry efforts to return to Canton with an even record.

Defenseman Ryan Solari, who has grown through the Gen’s organization playing with the NA3HL team the last two seasons, secured his first goal of the year late in the first period.

After falling behind 2-1 early in the second, Tyler Kelly reunited the two teams at 2-2 with his second of the year.

Finally, with 24 seconds left in regulation, Alec Hall proved to be the hero, banging in a low slot rebound to pick up the game wining 3-2 goal.

This time it was Will Mizenko who notched his second win in net, bookending the showcase with victories, and improving his General’s record to 2-1. He stopped 16 of 18 on Saturday and 34 of 38 overall in his two showcase starts.

Saturday’s game was the first time the Gens failed to convert on one of their powerplays. Regardless, they still own the third best success rate in the east division with a 21.9% clip.

Following the showcase, and now seven completed regular season games, overall, its Hall, Ipri, Klochkov and Logan Poulin who lead the team with seven points. Meanwhile, Poulin and Hall pace the way in goals with four.

The Gen’s won’t play a home game until October 17th so the road success will need to continue. Next up they will head to Rochester for back-to-back games against last season’s east division champs on October 3rd and 4th followed by a pair of games the following weekend in Elmira.