The Generals traveled to Long Beach for the first time since late September, splitting the weekend with a 5-0 loss on Saturday, Jan. 13 and a 3-2 overtime win on Sunday, Jan. 14.
Game one saw the Sharks get the jump on the Generals early, scoring half way through the first period to jump ahead 1-0, before finding two powerplay goals in the second to take an astounding 3-0 lead. Long Beach found the back of the net two more times late in the third to finish off Northeast, marking the final at 5-0 in only the second loss for the Generals in the east division this year.
Goaltender Mike Foglia received the start in net, stopping 16 of 21 shots in the loss. The Generals outshot the Sharks 51 to 21 in the game, including 15 to 5 in the final period.
Game two was a much closer game between the two squads, with the Generals striking first and second, with a goal by forward Gabe Vijuk and a powerplay goal by defenseman Drew Vermette late in the first period to jump ahead 2-0. It was their 24th and second goals this season respectively. The Sharks mounted the comeback late in the second, scoring two to tie the game up at 2-2 entering the third period.
Neither team broke the deadlock in regulation, resulting in sudden death overtime. Forward Mason Frary played hero for the Generals, scoring on a break away with 1:14 remaining in the period to give the Generals the two points, finalizing the score at 3-2.
Goaltender Ian Kangas got the start, stopping 29 of 31 shots in his first win this season with the Generals since joining in mid-December. Frary recorded an assist with his goal, with forwards Michael Locke, Nicholas Summers, and Caiden Hess all picking up points with assists of their own.
The Generals will continue their adventurous January with a journey to New Hampshire on Wednesday, Jan. 17 to take on the Jr. Mountain Kings at 12:10 PM EST. Northeast will then make the trek to the RoseGarden Ice Arena in Norwich, Connecticut to face the second placed Norwich Sea Captains on Saturday, Jan. 20 at 5:45 PM EST. The Generals’ next home game will not be until Tuesday, Jan. 23, when they host the Jr. Mountain Kings again the New England Sports Village at 12:30 PM EST.