May 12th vs London: OHL Championship Series Game Day Playbook

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2 Oshawa Locations 441 Gibb St. 905-728-9862 1333 Wilson Road N. 905-433-5579

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While we score goals on the ice, our goal off the ice is to make sure all of #GensNation has the best game experience possible! We’ve made a list of some important reminders for all fans to keep in mind so that everyone’s night out is a special one.

1. WAIT FOR THE WHISTLE TO ENTER AND EXIT SEATING AREA

A lot can happen in a split second of hockey action – and we don’t want anyone to miss anything. Fans who move from their seat during play can block the view of an entire section of fans. Please wait until a whistle blows to make any move to and from your seats.

QUICK TIP - There will always be extended stoppages following the first whistle after the 14:00 & 6:00 minute marks of a period (unless there is an icing, goal, or the start of a power play – just listen for the buzzer!)

2. BE MINDFUL OF THOSE AROUND YOU

Trust us, we know the games will have you at the edge of your seat, but if you lean too far forward, you’ll block the view of those around you. There isn’t a bad seat in the building, so sit back and enjoy the game!

3. KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE PUCK

Things move quickly at our games, including flying sticks and pucks. Keep your eye on the puck at all times to avoid any potential injuries!

4. NON-SMOKING FACILITY

The Tribute Communities Centre is a non-smoking, no re-entry facility. Smoking of any kind, including e-cigarettes, on TCC property, is prohibited.

5. HOCKEY IS FOR EVERYONE

We don’t expect everyone to be best friends with the Petes’ fans – some things just don’t mix. But, we do think it’s pretty cool they’re coming to our building to enjoy the same great game we love. Please be aware of those sitting around you, including children and let the play on the ice do the talking. Abusive and inappropriate language will NOT be tolerated.

6. HAVE FUN

Get loud, cheer, and let your favourite team on the ice know you’re behind them – Afterall, hockey is the best sport out there.

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ONCE A GENERAL, ALWAYS A GENERAL;

ONE LAST HOORAH WRITTEN BY: ZAINA RAZEK

Growing up playing the game can have its ups and downs, and it has been enriching and eye-opening for many.

Soon enough, all the early practices, the late games, new sticks, and weekend tournaments became worth it, and for these players, it’s something they’ve never taken for granted.

Jacob Oster, Luke Torrance and Luca D’Amato have dedicated their lives to mastering their game and putting their best foot forward each and every day. After giving their all, including blood, sweat and tears, these players are coming to the end of their junior careers.

Looking back, they’ve each experienced a whole world of moments and were lucky enough to experience some of it together here at the Oshawa Generals.

Luke Torrance Torrance committed to the Oshawa Generals at a young age of 17, not knowing what to expect, but the Oshawa native was quick to be welcomed warmly by his teammates.

“The older guys took care of me and the younger guys really well…they showed us a lot of things, how to play, how to be a good teammate, how to play the right way, and taught me how to be the leader I am today,” said Torrance.

After years with the Gens and proving himself, he was allowed to lead this team with an A on his jersey. He recalls all the amazing memories with the team, but one that stood out was last season’s conference final against the North Bay Battalion.

“Fans were electric. Our bench was electric. Going into that game, we were missing our key pieces in the lineup. So, boys just dug deep that game and came out with the win,” he explained.

Heading into his final playoffs of his junior career, the emotions are high, but Torrance is looking forward to finishing out the year strong alongside his teammates. After four years, Torrance is moving on next year and hopes to continue playing hockey.

Luca D’Amato As for D’Amato, his journey didn’t begin in Oshawa, but down south in Flint Michigan with the Firebirds. It was the first time he had been living away from home, but his billets and teammates helped to make it an easier transition.

After playing for the Firebirds for a season and a half, D’Amato received the shocking news that he had been traded to the Gens.

“When I got traded, it was an eye-opener. I had never gotten traded in anything, but I came here, and the past few years have been awesome. It’s a great group of guys, and we’re trying to win a championship this year.”

Being traded at a young age can be difficult for any player, but GensNation was quick to welcome him and make him feel at home. He’s built great friendships and memories here, and his favourite is last year’s run.

“As an underdog, I think we surprised a lot of people, and I think we definitely had a tight group, and we made that run, we came up short, but I think we’re gonna get it done this year,” said D’Amato.

Looking forward, D’Amato hopes to find himself either playing professionally or going to school to play the sport he loves.

Jacob Oster Similarly to D’Amato, Oster was also a late addition to the Gens in the 2022/23 season after being traded from the Guelph Storm.

“I didn’t want to get traded from Guelph. I wanted to stay in Guelph, but change is always good, so I decided to bite the bullet and come to Oshawa,” said Oster.

Even though it was surreal and a big shift, Oster was overwhelmingly surprised with the facility, the team and the fan base that would soon love him.

“I got traded on a Monday, so I got to meet the team on Tuesday, and we practiced Wednesday…and everybody was so welcoming, so nice, like the coaching staff, the players, Chetto and Shawn.”

Over the years, Oster has collected amazing memories alongside his teammates that he will always hold on to, like winning the Bobby Orr trophy after a battle against the Battalion.

“My second favourite memory is probably my first few games here in Oshawa. I went on a hot streak, it was three shutouts in a seven game win-streak, everything was clicking and everything was just rolling, that was probably one of my favourite memories as well,” Oster recalled.

After playing his final regular season game with the Gens for his junior career, the emotions had been rolling since the last buzzer.

“In the dressing room as well…It was hard not to sit there and not take everything in, and then all of my junior career sort of just flashed before my eyes quickly.”

After playing a great couple of seasons with the Gens and receiving the OHL Goaltender of the Year award, Oster will remember his time here to be special and is hoping to continue playing professionally next year.

“This is our last playoff run for myself, D’Amato and Torrance, and we wouldn’t rather go to battle with anybody else.”

Each and every one of the overagers has contributed majorly to the success and heart of this organization. Their teammates, coaching staff and fans will forever be thankful for their efforts and dedication throughout their junior careers.

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OSHAWA LONDON ROUND FOUR PREVIEW:

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WRITTEN BY: CARTER SMITH

The Oshawa Generals have won back-to-back Bobby Orr Trophies as they get set for an OHL Championship Series rematch against the London Knights.

Oshawa has had quite the journey to be back in the Championship Series after finishing fourth in the regular season. The Gens took down the Brampton Steelheads in the first round, they then took on the top-seeded Brantford Bulldogs, followed by the Barrie Colts in the Eastern Conference Finals.

London comes into the Championship Series having failed to drop a game through the first three rounds of the OHL playoffs. The Knights kicked off the playoffs with a sweep of the Owen Sound Attack, which they then followed up with a sweep of the Erie Otters, all before sweeping the Kitchener Rangers to be here.

This is the first time in OHL history that there will be a rematch in the OHL Championship series, and last season it was the London Knights taking down the Oshawa Generals in four straight games.

These two teams met twice in the regular season, splitting the two games each winning the road game.

In the first half of the season, the Oshawa Generals went into London, taking down the Knights in a big come-from-behind win.

The Knights flipped the script in the second game back at the Tribute Communities Centre as London surged back, defeating the Generals on home ice.

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RECAP SERIES THREE

WRITTEN BY: ZAINA RAZEK

Game 1: Generals Secure Clean Win in Game 1 of Eastern Conference Finals Oshawa 3 - Barrie 1 - Oshawa Leads series 1 - 0 • Both teams were scoreless in the first, yet Owen Griffin fired first to take the lead in the second.

• Matthew Buckley netted the game-winning goal on a power play late in the second.

• Anthony Romani of the Colts managed to score one in the third, but goaltender Jacob Oster played a strong game with 27 saves.

• New York Islanders prospect Cal Ritchie recorded an empty-netter to end the matchup in Barrie with a win.

Game 2: Beckett Sennecke Secures First Playoffs Hat-trick in 7 Goal Game Oshawa 7 - Barrie 1 - Oshawa Leads series 2 - 0 • Sennecke flew towards the Colts’ net, scoring his first of the night 24 seconds into the game.

• Followed by the game-winning goal scored by defensemen Andrew Gibson late in the first period.

• Gens took many chances on the powerplay and were successful multiple times, starting with Sennecke’s second of the night. Followed by Colby Barlow’s 10th of the playoffs on the power play.

• Late in the second, Sennecke sniped in his third of the game and recorded his first-ever playoffs hat-trick.

• In the third, the Gens continued to be in the lead, as defensemen Luca Marrelli scored early on and recorded a four-point night.

• Gibson’s second goal of the night is the final one for the Gens, as Owen Van Steensel managed to get one past Oster with two minutes left in the game.

Game 3: Gens and Colts Battle in Double-Overtime Showdown Oshawa 7 - Barrie 6 - Oshawa Leads series 3 - 0 • Gens back at home ice, but Colts Riley Patterson took the early lead. Barlow answered back right away, tying it up at one.

• Romani gives Barrie the lead once again minutes later, but a chance on the man-advantage for the Gens gives Barlow his second of the game, assisted by Marreli and Ritchie.

• Rookie Brooks Rogowski continued to show his level of determination, netting the third goal for the Gens in the first.

• Both teams traded goals in the second, scored by Cole Beaudoin and Van Steensel for the Colts, and Sennecke and Noah Powell for the Gens.

• The Colts caught up in the third period as Kashan Aitcheson secured the tying goal for Barrie, followed by a lead goal from Patterson.

• Gens pulled every last effort to tie up the game, and Griffin scored an electric goal, sending it into overtime.

• Neither team could break through in the first OT, but in the second, Luke Torrance, the OT hero, gave Oshawa the win.

Game 4: Generals Sweep Barrie in 4 and Win Eastern Conference Championships Oshawa 8 - Barrie 4 - Oshawa Wins series 4 - 0 • The Generals continued to be on a hot streak as they had the chance to win the Bobby Orr trophy once again on home ice, and were successful with an exciting 8-4 win.

• The Colts were quick to score in the first, leaving the Gens to come back stronger in the second. Luca D’Amato recorded his second the playoffs to tie up the game.

• Gens’ top players continued to dominate the game, scoring multiple goals throughout the second and third periods.

• The Colts managed to score four by the end of the matchup, but it was no comparison to the eight goals from the Gens.

• Marrelli became one of the rare 8 CHL defensmen to reach 30+ points in a single postseason after racking up five points in game 4.

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GAME DAY

OSH LDN VS

MONDAY, MAY 12TH | 7:00 PM

TRIBUTE COMMUNITIES CENTRE

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PREVIEW WRITTEN BY: CARTER SMITH

The Oshawa Generals look to get back to winning ways after having their longest winning streak of the season snapped in Game 2.

Oshawa came out hot in the first game of the OHL Championship Series as they handed the London Knights their first loss of the 2025 Playoffs.

London responded well in Game 2 showing that one loss was not going to send them off the rails. A big Game 2 performance from Easton Cowan was enough to see the Knights through to victory as they tied the series at 1-1.

Despite the game finishing with at score of 5-2 for the London Knights, it was a tightly contested battle.

It was the Generals opening the scoring in Game 2 as it was Calum Ritchie standing in the right spot to jamb the puck in making it 1-0 Oshawa, but, before the end of the first the Knights would answer levelling the score at 1-1.

London would strike for three goals in the second period getting the third shortly after Luke Torrance cut the lead to one.

A third period empty netter from the Knights made it 5-2 and brought the series back to being all squared up.

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SATURDAY, MAY 10TH WRITTEN BY: ZAINA RAZEK

The Generals remained on the road for Game 2 of the OHL Championship series, facing off against the London Knights at Canada Life Place. Riding the momentum of a nine-game win streak, Oshawa came into the matchup fresh off a 4-2 victory in Game 1, handing London their first loss of the playoffs. Determined to defend home ice before the series shifts to Oshawa for Games 3 and 4, the Knights came out strong and got it done, securing a 5-2 win and tying the series 1-1.

Both teams traded chances in a fast-paced first, with the Knights outshooting the Gens 14-10. However, midway through the frame, New York Islanders prospect Calum Ritchie capitalized on the power-play, firing home his eighth goal of the postseason past London goaltender Austin Elliott.

The Generals looked ready to carry a 1-0 lead into the intermission, but with just under four minutes remaining, Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Easton Cowan responded. The London forward beat Jacob Oster for his ninth of the playoffs, sending the game into the second period tied at one.

The Knights wasted no time in the second period, grabbing the lead early as Edmonton Oilers prospect Sam O’Reilly buried his sixth of the playoffs off a setup from Easton Cowan. Just minutes later, Philadelphia Flyers prospect Oliver Bonk added to the momentum, ripping home his second of the postseason with assists from Sam Dickinson and Cowan, extending London’s lead to 3-1.

Oshawa answered back quickly. Hometown forward Luke Torrance cut into the deficit with his fourth goal of the playoffs, finishing a play set up by Calum Ritchie and Luca Marrelli to make it 3-2. But London wasn’t done yet. With under two minutes remaining in the frame, Jacob Julien capitalized on a late chance, beating Jacob Oster for his fifth of the postseason, once again assisted by Cowan, who registered his fourth point of the night. The Knights carried a 4-2 lead into the final period.

Oshawa was unable to fight back from their 2 goal deficit in the final frame, despite pulling goaltender Jacob Oster in the final minutes. It was Easton Cowan who delivered the dagger with an empty-netter with just under two minutes left on the clock, grabbing his second goal of the game and fifth point of the night to seal a 5-2 victory for the Knights.

The Generals return home for Game 3 on Monday, May 12th at 7:00 p.m.

PLAYOFF RESULTS

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RESULTS

TOP SCORERS

2024 PLAYOFFS

LONDON DEFEATED OSHAWA 4-0 IN THE OHL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

CALUM RITCHIE (30)

2023 PLAYOFFS

OTTAWA DEFEATED OSHAWA 4-1 IN THE EASTERN CONFERENCE QUARTER FINALS

RYAN GAGNIER (6)

2022 PLAYOFFS

KINGSTON DEFEATED OSHAWA 4-2 IN THE EASTERN CONFERENCE QUARTER FINALS

BRETT HARRISON (7)

2021 PLAYOFFS

NONE DUE TO COVID-19

NONE DUE TO COVID-19

2020 PLAYOFFS

NONE DUE TO COVID-19

NONE DUE TO COVID-19

2019 PLAYOFFS

OTTAWA DEFEATED OSHAWA 4-0 IN THE EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS

BRANDON SAIGEON (16)

2018 PLAYOFFS

NIAGARA DEFEATED OSHAWA 4-1 IN THE EASTERN CONFERENCE QUARTER FINALS

JACK STUDNICKA (5)

2017 PLAYOFFS

MISSISSAUGA DEFEATED OSHAWA 4-1 IN THE EASTERN CONFERENCE SEMI FINALS

JACK STUDNICKA (17)

2016 PLAYOFFS

KINGSTON DEFEATED OSHAWA 4-1 IN THE EASTERN CONFERENCE QUARTER FINALS

DOMENICO COMMISSO (5)

2015 PLAYOFFS

OSHAWA DEFEATED KELOWNA 2-1 EARNING THE TITLE AS MEMORIAL CUP CHAMPIONS

COLE CASSELS/MICHAEL DAL COLLE (30)

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PUCKS

Every single Oshawa Generals home game is YOUR chance to bring home a piece of history.

All 34 home games will feature unique warmup pucks specific to that night’s home game!

While everyone rushes to the glass hoping their favourite player tosses one over, you can head to the back of section 112, or the Generals store inside Gate 1, after the warmup and grab your own puck fresh off the ice for just $10 dollars!

That not enough? Well, we’ve got more!

Authentic goal pucks are back again for the 2024-2025 season! After every single Oshawa Generals home goal, save for special player milestones, those pucks will be taken out of play and into the Generals team store available for purchase at the next home game. Each puck comes with a Certificate of Authenticity, inside a protective case. Want someone specific?

Then don’t wait, cause these pucks don’t last long and are only available on a first come, first served basis.

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1. WHICH CURRENT GEN WAS DRAFTED BY THE DETROIT RED WINGS? 2. WHERE DO THE GENERALS GET THEIR NAME FROM?

3. WHAT OHL TEAM WAS ERIC LINDROS DRAFTED TO BUT REFUSED TO PLAY FOR? 4. WHAT FORMER GEN WAS GRANTED EXCEPTIONAL PLAYER STATUS AND WAS DRAFTED AT 14?

5. WHAT NUMBER DID BOBBY ORR WEAR WITH THE GENERALS? 6. HOW MANY GENERALS HAVE BEEN HONOURED IN THE HOCKEY HALL OF FAME? 7. WHAT WAS THE NAME OF THE OSHAWA GENERALS’ MASCOT BEFORE DEKE? 8. HOW MANY GENS CELEBRATE THEIR BIRTHDAY IN MAY? 9. WHICH FORMER GENS GOALIE WON OHL GOALTENDER OF THE YEAR? 10. WHAT BAND SINGS THE GENS’ GOAL SONG “HEAVE AWAY”?

1: ANDREW GIBSON 2: GENERAL MOTORS 3: SAULT STE. MARIE GREYHOUNDS 4: JOHN TAVARES 5: 2 6: 5 7: GENERAL SHOOTER 8: 2 9: MIKE FOUNTAIN (1991-92) 10: THE FABLES

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BIRTHDAYS MAY

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MAY 6, 2006

HAYDEN SABOURIN

MAY 27, 2005

WANT TO SEE YOUR NAME ON THE BOARD? Are you or someone special celebrating your birthday with the Oshawa Generals? We’ve got the perfect way to celebrate! Request a birthday shoutout on our centre-ice videoboard. For a request to be guaranteed, it must be submitted 48-hours BEFORE scheduled puck drop. This means if a game is scheduled for a Friday night at 7:05 p.m., your birthday request needs to be submitted by Wednesday at 7:05 for it to be guaranteed.

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BEYOND THE STATS:

THE INSPIRING STORY OF NOAH POWELL WRITTEN BY: ALEX CHAMPAGNE

Noah Powell’s journey to the Oshawa Generals has been anything but ordinary. At 20 years old, the Chicago native is making his mark in the OHL after a mid-season move from Ohio State. With nine goals and 13 assists in 28 games, Powell has quickly become a key piece of the Generals’ offensive lineup. But beyond the stats and highlight-reel moments, Powell’s story is one of resilience, determination, and overcoming adversity.

Diagnosed with bilateral hearing loss in kindergarten, Powell’s early years weren’t without challenges. He recalls a moment that led to his diagnosis, a schoolyard misunderstanding that ended in a suspension. “I mean, I can’t actually tell the story of how I found out… but I just couldn’t hear at school,” Powell laughs. After the incident, doctors confirmed his hearing loss, and he was fitted with hearing aids. However, adapting to them wasn’t always smooth sailing. “I lost my hearing aids, my dog ate one… I was like eight years old with $3,000 technology,” he recalls.

Despite these obstacles, Powell never let his hearing loss slow him down on the ice. He started playing hockey at four years old, drawn to the game simply because he wanted to try it. From youth leagues to the USHL, where he put up an impressive 74 points in his final season with Dubuque, to being drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers in the fifth round of the 2024 NHL Draft, Powell’s talent has spoken for itself.

While Powell knows American Sign Language (ASL) after taking it for three years in school, he primarily relies on reading lips to communicate. “I wouldn’t say I’m great at ASL, and I don’t use it much because there aren’t many people to sign with,” he explains. Instead, he has developed strong lip-reading skills, which help him both on and off the ice.

On the ice, his hearing loss does present unique challenges. “Hearing people is hard,” he admits. “It’s tough to hear coaches on the bench and teammates on the ice. I’m basically playing deaf.” He used to wear over-the-ear hearing aids but has since switched to in-ear versions, which help but aren’t a perfect solution. “I actually haven’t worn them in like eight months,” he adds.

His teammates and even referees have shown immense support. “After Kingston, the officials came up to me and said, ‘If anything happens, just let us know.’ That was really nice,” he says. As for teammates? “Everyone’s pretty chill.”

When reflecting on his favorite hockey memory, Powell quickly recalls scoring a hat trick on his birthday in Iowa, a standout moment in his already impressive career. Growing up, he idolized players like Alex Ovechkin, Jonathan Toews, and Patrick Kane, stars who dominated in the city where he fell in love with the game.

Now, Powell is writing his own story in Oshawa, proving that no obstacle, on or off the ice, can hold him back.

Canadian Tire, Rodman’s Heating and Air Conditioning, Desjardins Insurance, Planet Fitness, Dodd and Soutor, Pizza Pizza, Bluebird Self Storage, Staffing Connections, Professional Dry Cleaners, Gen7 Fuel and Color Compass Corporation have teamed up for the Adopt-A-School program!

This program gives local businesses the chance to give back to the community by purchasing Generals season tickets and donating them to elementary schools throughout Durham Region.

The tickets are intended to reward students that excel in academics, athletics, and extracurricular activities.

MATT BEACHIN Call 905-433-0900 Ext. 2233 or Email mbeachin@oshawagenerals.com

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