Feb 7th vs Ottawa: Game Day Playbook

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*Warranty not available for extreme conditions (commercial use) on some items

ETIQUETTE HOCKEY

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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Tom Morgan Courtice
Nina Romano Oshawa
Gayle Andrews Whitby
Penny Masters Oshawa
Jon Humphrey Whitby
Tammy Lee Hanlon Oshawa & Peterborough
Stephanie Gordon Whitby
Greg Lewis Newcastle & Courtice
Dean Yorke Oshawa
Mike Trevett Bowmanville
Karen Low Oshawa
Laura Carey Whitby
Tammy Segriff Oshawa
Carolyn Maugeri Ajax
Lisa Pearson Oshawa

AROUND THE OHL

EASTERN CONFERENCE

KINGSTON FRONTENACS

The Kingston Frontenacs currently lead their division and sit second in the conference with 63 points, trailing the first-place Barrie Colts by four. Over their last ten games, the Fronts have posted a strong 7-3-0-0 record but are coming off a narrow 3-2 regulation loss to Barrie on Tuesday night. Calgary Flames prospect Jacob Battaglia remains Kingston’s standout player, ranking 8th in OHL scoring with 71 points this season. The dynamic left-winger leads the team in both points and goals, netting 31 so far in the 2024-25 campaign. As a key offensive threat, Battaglia is a player opponents will need to keep a close eye on whenever they face the Frontenacs.

BRAMPTON STEELHEADS

CENTRAL DIVISION

The Brampton Steelheads currently sit 4th in their division and 7th in the conference with 48 points. They’ve struggled to find consistency in recent weeks, posting a 3-4-3-0 record over their last ten games and are currently on a two-game losing streak. Their most recent outing saw them fall 5-3 to Owen Sound at the Bayshore. Leading the charge for Brampton is right-winger Porter Martone, who continues to be the team’s most dominant player. With 67 points this season, he ranks 14th overall in the OHL and leads the Steelheads in assists with 44. Originally drafted 5th overall by the Sarnia Sting in the 2022 OHL Draft, Martone has since developed into one of the league’s top prospects. He is widely projected to be a top-three pick in the upcoming NHL Draft, thanks to his strong hockey IQ and ability to step up in crucial moments. His presence on the ice is a game-changer and a key factor in Brampton’s push for playoff positioning.

Photo Credit: Sam Hossack
Photo Credit: Natalie Shaver

AROUND THE OHL

LONDON KNIGHTS

The London Knights continue to dominate the OHL, holding first place in their division, conference, and league with 79 points. Their recent 5-3 victory over the Kitchener Rangers on Tuesday night secured their spot in the postseason, making them the first team to clinch a playoff position this season. This marks the 24th consecutive OHL playoff appearance for the franchise. Going 8-2-0-0 over their last ten games, they missed an earlier chance to lock in their playoff position on Sunday when they fell 4-3 to the Windsor Spitfires. Despite that setback, the Knights remain a force heading into the final stretch of the regular season. Spearheading London’s success is Denver Barkey, who has been a key playmaker all season. The Philadelphia Flyers prospect ranks 15th in the league with 63 points and leads the team in assists with 45. His ability to generate scoring opportunities makes him an invaluable asset to the Knights as they push toward another deep playoff run.

SAGINAW SPIRIT

The Saginaw Spirit are playing some of their best hockey of the season as they are currently riding a three-game win streak and are 7-2-1-0 in their last 10 games. Saginaw have been creeping their way up the standings moving in front of the Erie Otters for the fourth spot in the Western Conference. Michael Misa the projected top three pick in the upcoming NHL draft has been leading the push as the forward is first in the OHL with 92 points so far. Calgary prospect, Zayne Parekh is also having quite the offensive year again as he leads all OHL D-men in points with 68 points including 24 goals. If the Spirit want to get back to where they were last year they will need to lean on this duo heavily.

Photo Credit: Natalie Shaver
Photo Credit: Morgan Roobroeck

FROM PLAYER TO COACH:

BRAD MALONE’S JOURNEY TO LEADING THE OSHAWA GENERALS

The Oshawa Generals have hired Brad Malone as the interim head coach, a quick turnaround from his playing career to his coaching one.

He played over 750 professional hockey games between the NHL and AHL with Colorado, Carolina, Chicago and Edmonton’s organization before retiring in the spring of 2024. Malone was known for his big body, two-way game and liked to insert himself physically on every shift.

This play made him a leader in the locker room and earned him the captaincy in Bakersfield, for the last four seasons of his playing career.

“Communication is crucial,” said Malone. “A clear message on expectations of what is needed by everyone on the ice. The details that are part of the game need to be communicated on a daily basis.”

This is a key trait that Brad brought to the Generals organization when he was hired as a player development coach before the season started.

It did not take long to make his imprint on the organization as a leader. One on one interviews with players are a massive part of building their character, ensuring a strong team foundation.

Once November rolled around, Brad was promoted to assistant coach where his role changed. He was able to use his playing experience to help players make adjustments on the fly.

“The ability to make suggestions and corrections in game. Everything happens so fast at ice level,” added the interim bench boss. “Being able to immediately give the individuals feedback was a major difference.”

On December 9th, Brad Malone was named the Interim Head Coach after the organization let Steve O’Rourke go.

Now that Brad is the Head Coach, he sends a clear message to the team.

“Everyone has a seat at the table and [everyone] will be held to the same standard,” explained the newly appointed coach. “Nobody is above the team. Protect the house and work for each other.”

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PREVIEW GAME DAY

Oshawa got the better of Ottawa, getting a much needed two points as the were able to move into a tie with the Kingston Frontenacs for second in the division and third in the conference. The Gens need to build on the win against Ottawa and avoid dropping points down the stretch in order to set themselves up for a deep playoff run.

Ottawa is coming into this one staggering, the team from the Nation’s Capital has been on a downward trajectory since they moved defenceman Henry Mews at the deadline. The 67’s are 2-8-0-0 in their last 10 games and have not showed many signs of turning that around anytime soon.

It has been just a couple of days since the Oshawa Generals went into Ottawa and took down the 67’s 8-1 in a midweek clash.

Oshawa got things going and they did not slow down. After a bit of a feel out process Oshawa opened the scoring with five minutes to go in the first as Ethan Martin went hard to the net burying his second as a Gen.

The Generals would add another in the first as this time it was Owen Griffin showing some grit and determination as he got on the board to make it 2-0 Gens.

In the second frame the Generals would add three more goals as Brooks Rogowski scored on a breakaway out of the penalty box, then Ethan Toms and Luke Torrance each got in on the fun opening up a 5-0 lead entering the third.

Oshawa showed no signs of slowing as Andrew Gibson scored to start the final period and it was Martin and Griffin each adding another.

The Oshawa Generals return to home to the Tribute Communities Centre for the second half of a home-and-home with the Ottawa 67’s.

RECAP LAST GAME

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5TH

The Oshawa Generals are taking on the Ottawa 67’s in the nation’s Capital and came home with a huge 8-1 win.

Ethan Martin rushed in front of the net with five minutes left in the first, securing his second goal with the Gens. Brady Blaseg the Ottawa native, recorded his first point and assist in the regular season as a General, in his hometown.

With a minute left in the period, the 67’s were outshot by over 10, and Owen Griffin fired the second goal, and his 9th of the season. Going into the first intermission, the Gens were up two, but the 67’s went into the second with a powerplay, which was unsuccessful.

Brooks Rogowski flew out of the penalty box and sniped the puck in making this a three-goal lead. Minutes later, Ethan Toms picked it up on a rebound and recorded his 9th goal of the season.

The 67’s changed goalies halfway through the second, but the Gens were still able to generate chances around the net. Late into the period, the Gens received a powerplay opportunity where Luke Torrance was quick to achieve the fifth goal for the Gens.

In the final few minutes of the second, the 67’s gave up more penalties out of frustration, but the Gens still walked into the third with a five-zero lead.

In the third, the Gens hoped to keep playing cleanly and led in shots on goal 34 to 7. Andrew Gibson wasted no time, scoring unassisted from the point.

Jacob Oster took to the net in tonight’s matchup, and he held strong, blocking any chances the 67’s created. Martin and Captain Ben Danford teamed up in front of the net to make it a 7-goal lead, giving Martin his second of the night.

Moments later Matthew Mayich managed to get the puck past Oster putting the 67’s on the board. The Gens were not letting anything slide as they continued to battle for the puck along the boards, leading to Griffin netting his second of the night.

As time was winding down the 67’s exhausted every last chance they could, but the Gens completed a successful and big 8-1 win.

The Generals will be back at home on Friday, the 7th, to face the 67’s again.

WARM-UP INITIATIVE

BLACK HISTORY MONTH JERSEY

This February the Oshawa Generals will dress in new jerseys for warm-ups, which are “Black History Month” themed. The Generals will wear them for the first game back at home on February 7th.

The Jerseys will carry two primary colours: red and black sleeves in a wave design. The socks will also be red and black intertwined in a circular pattern. The front and back of the jersey will be solid black to highlight the design on the front, which is a gradient of red and orange. The logo will also be identical on both shoulders and follow the same red and orange gradient.

The design on the front is made up of components that interweave the Oshawa Generals’ history and Black History using Caribbean Cultures that make up the Black Canadian community. The design is showcased as a bear claw, with five toes representing the five Generals Memorial Cup Trophies. The middle of the claw is a bear silhouette in the shape of a “G” surrounded by red wave-like patterns inspired by Caribbean Cultures. “Oshawa Generals” will sit above the bear, and in total a collection of 38 pieces to make up the whole design will represent the 1937-38 season when the Oshawa Generals were founded.

The logo design on the shoulders is shaped like an “O” to represent the city of Oshawa. The lines of the “O” form a curving wave-like pattern to represent the Black Canadian Community. In the centre, a bear walks along the wave patterns in the “O” to show how the team’s history is interwoven with Black history.

The back of the jersey will be plain black with the player’s names and numbers in solid white with no outline.

The money made from the jerseys will be donated to The Carion Fenn Foundation.

MID-SEASON RECAP

Coming off the best season that the Oshawa Generals have had since 2015, making it all the way to the OHL Championship Series, they were faced with some big shake ups in the offseason.

With Minnesota Wild prospect prospect Rasmus Kumpulainen returning home to play after a season where he put up 28 goals and 28 assists for Oshawa, and New York Rangers prospect Dylan Roobroeck joining the Hartford Wolfpack of the AHL, the OHL’s most storied franchise turned to a different direction. They made the blockbuster move to bring in former Attack captain Colby Barlow to put on the front end.

Not only was it Barlow who cracked the roster, they brought in import players David Svozil and Lauri Sinivuori. Also cracking the roster was Tyler O’Toole, Brooks Rogowski, and Isaac Gravelle as the backup goaltender.

Going 20-11-2-1 in the first half of the season, the Gens faced adversity multiple times- starting the season without key players as they were away at NHL training camps and head coach Steve O’Rourke being dismissed from his role after 30 games, to name a couple. But with all of the challenges they faced, they managed to stick to their winning ways of last season.

Not only did they go above .600 in the first half of the season, they hold one of the league’s top power play units with a 25.6% success rate. Contributing to the offensive success saw top prospects in Beckett Sennecke, Calum Ritchie, Luca Marrelli and many more play some of the best hockey in their career.

The Gennies have been able to find many positives through 34 games of the 2024-25 season, including sitting atop the East Division, and second in the Eastern Conference just three points behind the Niagara IceDogs.

Although the Eastern Conference has been a very talented group of teams all season, Oshawa has found ways to succeed and strive against some of the OHL’s top teams.

What a 2024 it was for Luca Marrelli. Stood out as a top defenseman during the 2024 OHL playoffs, got drafted 86th overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, and proved himself even further as he got the nod as the OHL’s Defenseman of the Month for November.

With just eight goals in 85 games last season, Marrelli has found an even brighter spark this year, already lighting the lamp 14 times with a team-high 28 assists to go with that. Playing in all games this season, he holds huge stability to the team’s blue line with a plus-minus of 17, and a heavy presence on the top power play unit, assisting with 13 goals on the man-advantage.

It’s no secret the 2005-born defenseman was a key piece to the Generals in 2023-24, but the impact he’s had on the team in the first half of the 2024-25 season is even greater. Marrelli has high aspirations to be the best player he can be, and that mentality will go a long way in what the team deems as their ‘go year’ heading into the final 34 games and playoffs in 2025.

LUCA MARRELLI ZACKARY SANDHU

The enforcer on the blue line, and a heavy hitter. During his time with Oshawa, Zackary Sandhu has proved that he can in fact do it all. Everyone likes a little physicality in hockey, and Sandhu brings just that. With three fights under his belt this season, he has proven that he’ll protect his team at any moment against any opponent.

In the 32 games he’s suited up for this season, the 195-pound enforcer brings an effective presence to the blue line posting six goals and eight assists. Despite a team-high 61 penalty minutes, he is able to be that extra-physical player that every team needs.

Earning one of the top spots on the penalty kill unit as well, he is a player anyone would love to have on their team. His invites to NHL training camps in the off-season back that point up quite easily. Sandhu knows how to be a go-to player in any game with experience from the team’s playoff run last season, and will have an even bigger role in this years’.

PUCKS IN-GAME

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.

OSHAWA

TRIVIA

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 FEBRUARY?

9. WHICH FORMER GENS GOALIE WON OHL GOALTENDER OF THE YEAR?

10. WHAT BAND SINGS THE GENS’ GOAL SONG “HEAVE AWAY”?

BIRTHDAYS PLAYER

FEBRUARY

NOAH POWELL FEBRUARY 2, 2005

ANDREW GIBSON FEBRUARY 13, 2005

BEN DANFORD FEBRUARY 6, 2006

COLBY BARLOW FEBRUARY 14, 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.

REQUEST YOUR NAME ON THE VIDEOBOARD

GET SOCIAL WITH

THE GENS

Get real-time updates and behind-the-scene peaks on Oshawa Generals’ game-changing plays, standout goals, and thrilling wins by following them on social media. Stay connected to the hockey action on and off the ice like never before!

ETHAN TOMS:

FROM SETBACK TO SUCCESS

Just a couple days after the shocking incident involving former NHL player Adam Johnson, Ethan Toms came face to face with the blade of a skate.

After two players got tangled in the neutral zone, Toms skated in before the player from Peterborough went down with his skate coming up catching the General in the face.

With the timing of it all, how could one not think the worst?

“We had a ceremony that night for Adam Johnson,” said the young forward. “So, the first thing I thought of was that and that’s why I panicked so much.”

The concern was shared by Head Athletic Therapist Shawn Winters.

“The Adam Johnson stuff just happened a couple of days before,” said Winters. “So obviously the big thing was just trying to get Ethan to calm down and then control the bleeding.”

The high emotions carried on as Ethan’s parents were at the game that night.

“They got me on the ambulance, and I remember my parents were down,” Toms shared. “They came down and they saw me, and they were just crying.”

But getting the injured Oshawa General to the ambulance was just the start.

“He had a facial laceration which was about six or seven inches long,” stated the athletic therapist. “A third of that was directly through the cheek. The back two thirds of it sliced a muscle that he had to get surgically repaired, and it also nicked a facial artery. So that’s why the bleeding was a little crazy. So, then in total he had, I think it was something like 142 stitches.”

Once it was all stitched up the journey back to the ice was on.

“It’s a pretty important face muscle.” said Winters. “We had to make sure that the muscle that got cut was functioning and working well again. He did have surgery on it, so it was attacked, but we just had to make sure it was strong.”

After that it was back to the ice!

“I remember being kind of nervous,” voiced Toms. “I don’t know, I just remember being very nervous and excited as well though because I had been off for so long. It was kind of a mix of excitement and nerves.”

From there Ethan was back suiting up for the Generals.

“When I first came back, it took me a game or two to kind of stop like thinking about it,” he said. “After that, I was fine!”

Toms has not looked back and shows no sign of fear in his game as this season the Gens forward has picked up career highs in points and goals having played less than half the number of games.

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

SCORESHEET

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