Photo: Patrick Garriepy Photography
Written by: Rory McGouran

Some slight separation is starting to form in the NAHL’s East Division, and the Northeast Generals helped create it with a sweep over the New Jersey Titans this past weekend.

Prior to the back-to-back wins, just one point was between the third place Gens and fourth place Titans. The Gens went on to secure their second straight sweep inside the Canton Ice House, defeating the Titans 3-2 on Friday and 7-2 on Saturday. The pair of victories elevated the Gens into second place and created a five-point buffer separating the top three teams from the rest of the East Division.

Friday’s matchup relied on defense and goaltending. New Jersey allowed 37 shots and did not lead at any point during the game, though they prevented any goals in the final 10 minutes of the third period.

Spencer Hirsch (10), Alec Hall (6), and Owen O’Rear (3) scored the goals, while Will Mizenko secured his seventh win of the season in net, making 35 saves.

On Saturday, it was the offense picking up their lunch pail and going to work.

After a 1-1 tie carried over into the second period with Luke Drury (3) providing the second straight opening goal for the Generals, the flood gates opened in the second with Kody Moyer (6), Tyler Kelly (3), Hall (7) and O’Rear (4) beating Titan’s netminder Tyler to build a 5-1 lead.

The Gens added two more in the final frame with Kelly’s first multi-goal effort of the season and Thomas Klochkov scoring his first goal of the year. Klochkov, a New Jersey native who’s been a key set-up man this season with 10 assists, celebrated with exuberant relief while figuratively tossing the monkey off his back, directly in the Titans’ bench.

Mizenko was again tagged with the start, and this time turned aside 32 of 34 for his 8th win which is tied for the second most in the NAHL.

The Gens were one of the best teams in the league through October, finishing with a 7-1-1-0 record. They will now carry their first win of November into another home weekend set when they welcome the Rochester Jr. Americans to the Canton Ice House on November 7 and 8.