(Bryaden Hudtloff finished the night with 6 points, bringing his season total to 22, which leads the NAHL)
Photo credit: Patrick Garriepy Photography

Written by: Rory McGouran

26 combined points for the top line over the last two games, including 14 on Friday night as the Northeast Generals stretched their point streak to eight games with a 7-5 victory over the Danbury Jr. Hat-tricks.

The line of Spencer Hirsch, Mikey Bartkowski, and Brayden Hudtloff has been nearly unstoppable over the Generals’ league-best point streak. Working in unison, and in all three facets of the game, including power play and penalty kill, the level of play of the Generals’ top line has been a driving factor in their success.

After finishing with five points, including a hat-trick in a 9-0 victory last weekend, Bartkowski picked up another handful on Friday with a goal and four helpers, bringing his total to 15 in just 8 games.

Spencer Hirsch, who picked up three more points on Friday (2g,1a), is setting up to smash his career-high in goals. After scoring 13 last year, the 20-year-old Florida native is currently riding a four-game goal streak, sitting at seven on the year, and at a pace for 34. He’s also proving to be not just a one-trick pony with three goals coming on the power play, two shorthanded, and two more at even strength.

Finally, Hudtloff, who has arguably been the hottest player in the league over the last few weeks, finished Friday night’s game with six points (1g-5a), having a touch on all but one goal. He currently holds the team’s longest point streak, finding the scoresheet in each of the past nine games. The rookie forward has easily been the league’s breakout performer of the year and is now tied for the most points in the entire NAHL with 22 (3g-19a) through 12 games.

The one criticism of the Generals on Friday was allowing Danbury to stay within reach. Although the Generals never trailed at any point through 60 minutes. They allowed two separate leads to slip away and nearly saw a three-goal cushion evaporate in the third period.

Outside of the top line, Kody Moyer picked up a pair of goals, and Stephen Fabiano scored his first career NAHL goal to round out the scoring.

Keagin Wilson secured his third straight win, bringing his rookie record to 3-2-0-0 on the year and was instrumental in the final minutes preventing Danbury from tying the game with a multitude of clutch saves.

The victory was not only the first on home ice this season but catapulted the Generals into second place in the East Division, leapfrogging Danbury and the Johnstown Tomahawks in the process. However, you must not find complacency in the East with five teams separated by just three points, and the Gens will have to continue their winning ways to stay there when they host Danbury for a rematch tonight.

Puck Drop is scheduled for 7:00 at the Canton Ice House.