The Generals swept the New Hampshire Jr. Mountain Kings in the East Division Semifinals last week, going big in game one with a 6-1 victory at home on Thursday, March 7, before completing the sweep on Friday, March 8 on the road 4-2.
The Gens started their Fraser Cup playoff run with a bang, with forward Levente Pakozdi scoring a close-quarters goal just under eight minutes into the first period to make it 1-0. New Hampshire a minute later tied the game at 1-1, before forward John Rodgers jumped on a loose puck in front of the net on the powerplay to give the Gens the lead once more 12 and a half minutes in. Forward Sean Gorman added to the lead with a powerplay goal of his own a little over 14 minutes in to make it 3-1.
Neither team found the net in the second period, but the Gens poured on the offense in the final frame, with Gorman getting his second of the game only a minute and a half into the third period. Forward Gabe Vijuk added the Gens’ fourth straight unanswered goal a little over three minutes later, before forward Mason Frary put the icing on the cake with a breakaway goal seven minutes in to make it 6-1, which stood as the final score.
Goaltender Danny Antal got the first start of the series in net for the Gens, shutting down the Jr. Mountain Kings with 46 saves on 47 shots to start the semifinals with a bang. Vijuk and Pakozdi both recorded assists to go with their goals, while defenseman Ryan Solari recorded two assists to tie for the team lead in points at two.
Saturday afternoon saw the Generals look to get the jump early on New Hampshire, with forward Reese Tamburo finding a loose puck in front to fire in his first of the playoffs to make it 1-0 only four minutes into the game. Forward Matt Nuzzolilo joined in 17 minutes into the game with a power play snipe entering into the zone to make it 2-0 in a flash. New Hampshire responded in the second with a goal seven minutes in, before forward Connor McLachlan shortly after the powerplay ended, just short of 14 minutes in, potted his first of the playoffs to jump ahead 3-1. New Hampshire brought it within one once more with only 27 seconds remaining in the second to make it 3-2, but Nuzzolilo gave the Gens an insurance goal with his second power play goal of the game 13 minutes in to make it 4-2, which ended as the final.
Antal got the nod for game two of the series, stopping 35 of the 37 shots he saw in the final game of the series. Nuzzolilo and forward Michael Locke led the team in points with two, with Locke receiving two assists. 10 different Generals recorded a point in the victory.
With the sweep, the Generals will advance to the East Division finals, where they will take on the #2 seeded Norwich Sea Captains. Game one will take place on Thursday, March 14 at the New England Sports Village. That game will take place at 1:00 PM EST.