Written by: Rory McGouran
Photo: Patrick Garriepy

With their backs up against the wall, the Northeast Generals forced their way into a Game 4 in the Eastern Division Semi-Finals with a 2-1 victory over the Rochester Jr. Americans in Game 3 on Thursday night.

The Generals never trailed throughout the 60 minutes of tightly contested playoff hockey. With goals in the first and second period by Stephen Fabiano and Andrew Gibbons, respectively, the Generals took a 2-0 lead into the third period.

Both goals were net-front battles to loose-puck rebounds, demonstrating the Generals’ willingness to get to the front of the net on Thursday night.

Matt Portz scored the lone goal to bring the Jr. Americans within one, which set the scene for a frantic final shift in the game.

As Rochester pulled goaltender Florian Wade for a 6-on-5 attack, the Generals put their body on the line for six consecutive blocked shots on Rochester’s final push for the equalizing goal. None of the Jr. Americans’ shot attempts reached the Generals goaltender due to the Broncos defensive effort and heart.

Neither team was able to generate a power-play goal, with Rochester 0/5 and the Generals 0/4.

Will Mizenko backstopped the Generals, making 34 saves and increasing his playoff save percentage to .920.

The Generals are still in a do-or-die situation and will need to win the next two games to advance to the East Finals, starting with Game 4 tonight at 7:00 pm