The Generals started 2024 with a snowy visit to the Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks, where Northeast came away with the late victory, 4-2, to start the new year with a win.
Neither team was able to get the scoring going between the two sides during the first period of play, even with the Generals offense firing on all cylinders with 15 shots in the first period compared to Danbury’s eight. Forward Reece Tamburo, the former Jr. Hat Trick, who joined the Generals in November, got the Generals on the board first, scoring six-and-a-half minutes into the second period to go ahead 1-0. Danbury responded three-and-a-half minutes later with a goal of their own, before forward Michael Locke gave the Generals the lead once thirty seconds later. Danbury fought back once more however, tying the game again with only three seconds remaining in the period, to tie the game at 2-2 entering the final period.
The Generals dominated much of the third period, but were unable to find the twine for a majority of the final frame. Forward Caiden Hess finally broke the deadlock with a minute-and-a-half remaining in the game after a wrist shot from the right wing beat the goalie on his blocker side. Ahead 3-2, forward Gabe Vijuk potted the empty net goal with 22 seconds remaining to put the game out of reach at 4-2. The Generals outshot the Jr. Hat Tricks 13-to-1 in the final period.
Goaltender Danny Antal received the start in net to begin 2024, stopping 15 of 17 shots en route to his 15th win on the year, tied for second in the NA3HL. Tamburo, Locke, and Vijuk all recorded two-point games, while the Gens outshot Danbury 42-to-17 in their first game back since the NA3HL showcase.
The Generals will stick to the road for much of January, starting with a visit to the Long Beach Sharks for a weekend, starting Saturday, Jan. 13 at 6:00 PM EST, and ending on Sunday, Jan. 14 at 2:30 PM EST. The squad will then visit the New Hampshire Jr. Mountain Kings on Wednesday, Jan. 17 at 12:10 PM EST. The Generals next home game will not be until Tuesday, Jan. 23, when they host the Jr. Mountain Kings at 12:30 PM EST.