Gens Start Final Weekend With A Win

It was a convincing win for the Generals as they grabbed a 5-2 win against their division rivals.  To date the Thunder had a 3-0 advantage head to head in the regular season but Cochrane sent a strong message that they were not to be counted out as legitimate playoff contenders.  Four unanswered goals gave the Gens a comfortable lead for most of the affair, however things became interesting when the hometown Thunder closed the gap to 4-2 early in the third.  The composure of the Generals throughout the game allowed them to cruise to a 3 goal victory and keep the possibility of a home ice advantage in the first playoff round alive.
 
Mike Matlo opened the scoring midway through the first on a pretty passing play from teammates Jay Labelle and Sean Erwin.  Then at 15:35 Taylor Irvin walked out from behind the goal line uncontended and slid one home under the Thunder goalie.  Assisting on the PP goal was veteran d-man Kurt Briggs and Matlo.  The Generals continued their scoring early in the 2nd when feisty winger Darren Schmautz buried a loose puck in the goalmouth while centerman Danny McSween and Taylor Melnyk assisted on the play.  Cochrane was on the PP again late in the period and McSween showed his scoring prowess snapping a beauty home on his off wing from the top off the right circle.  Schmautz grabbed an assist and goaltender Tyler Fyten started the play, getting the 2nd assist, on a great stretch pass to the far blueline. Matlo notched the only goal in the third for Cochrane on a beautiful redirect from silky handed winger Jay Labelle who somehow slid the puck through an Airdrie d-man.  Centerman Taylor Irvin also assisted on the goal that iced the game for the Gens.
 
Tyler Fyten had a solid performance stopping 30 shots on the night.  There were also a couple of exciting tilts in the game that may set the tone if these two teams meet in a possible 2nd round matchup.  Darren Schmautz and Geoffroy Brechmann showed some real toughness and character for their team.

Generals Player of the Game: Sean Erwin