Written by: Rory McGouran
Photo: Emmy Vitali

The Generals’ sweep of the Rochester Jr. Americans this past weekend extended the team’s winning streak to five, the longest current streak in the NAHL.

Following a 3-1 victory on Friday, the Gens fought back from a two-goal deficit on Saturday to defeat the Rochester Jr. Americans once again, 5-2

Will Mizenko started both games in net for the Generals, picking up back-to-back wins and improving his record to 4-1-0 on the season. The first two Rochester goals on Saturday came off awkward bounces, one off the skate of Gens’ defenseman Ryan Solari, while the second was shot from behind the net, deflecting off another Jr. Americans’ leg.

The 2-0 hole in no way deterred the Generals from sticking to their game plan. In fact, they’re used to it. Four of the five wins during their current streak have come when giving up the game’s first goal.

Before the first period expired, Spencer Hirsch’s individual effort, breaking through his own offensive faceoff draw before driving the net and beating Jensen Carlstrom, cut the lead to 2-1.

Owen O’Rear tied the game early in the second period with his second goal of the season, deflecting a Kody Moyer’s high zone shot. Both Hirsch’s and O’Rear’s markers were scored on the power play, with the Gens finishing 3/9 on the man-advantage.

Building the first lead of the game and providing the insurance marker, both in the third period, was Logan Poulin, whose second multi-goal effort of the season gives him a team-leading seven goals, which also leads all rookies in the NAHL.

Finally, Mikey Bartkowski washed away any Rochester comeback hopes, scoring his third goal of the year with just over five minutes remaining for a 5-2 final.

Moyer and Braydon Hudtloff both picked up a game-high three assists. Meanwhile, defenseman Vinny Ipri collected two more assists to give him 11 points in 9 games, putting him in a tie for the league lead in defensive scoring.

The Generals will take their league-best winning streak back on the road with a weekend set in Elmira against the Aviators on October 10th and 11th.