For more information:
Chris Bilder, Public Relations/Marketing, Eugene Generals
541-359-4154 (office)
541-680-6222 (cell)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 18, 2007
Generals Start Season 0-3
Beaverton, OR- The Eugene Generals had a rough weekend in Beaverton, OR and Pasco, WA. The Generals, who had never been beaten on opening weekend prior to this season, dropped all three opening weekend games; the latest being to the Tri-City Titans by a score of 6-3. The Generals did show flashes of brilliance during the three games, but those flashes were much too few and far between for the Generals to come away with even one victory.
“We had problems with discipline and execution all weekend,” Generals Head Coach Chris Hartly stated. “We performed much better at times yesterday, but have yet to put a complete period of solid hockey together, let alone a complete game. I know we have the talent to win these games, but it is young talent that might take a little time to gel as a team. I’m glad that we’re playing at home this weekend. Hopefully we’ll into our rhythm, and get four points in front of our home crowd.”
The Generals are a young team, with only five returning players from last season, and have shown that youth and inexperience in the first three games. The Generals are giving up goals on the penalty kill a staggering 30.77% of the time, and have only been able to capitalize on 10.53% of their opportunities. Those are two key areas where the Generals need to improve.
The Generals must also get on the board earlier in the game. In the three games played so far this season, the Generals have yet to score a first period goal. On the other hand, the Generals have given up seven first period goals. The Generals failed to score second period goals in their first two contests, and were finally able to break that streak last night when George Arroyo tipped a Justin Adams slapshot past Titans goaltender BJ Leach 4:51 into the second period.
The Generals were also able to get on the board early in the third period last night. Generals forward Neil Holder slid a wrap around into the net 1:29 into the third period, but the Titans were able to answer the call every time the Generals made it close. Kyle Mills was able to bring the score to 3-4 when Trent McKee and Tyler Tymchuk assisted him for a shorthanded blast from the blue line, but that is as close as the Generals would come. The Generals brought the game to within one goal three separate times, but could never force a tie game.
One bright spot last night was the appearance of urgency in the second and third period. The Generals tried to push the pace, and succeeded for most of the second and third period. The Generals did make a few mental mistakes, however, and those mental mistakes cost them the game.
The Generals will have to play with urgency in all six periods this weekend against the Rogue Valley Wranglers if they want to come away with two victories. The Generals home opener is this Friday at 7:35 PM at Lane Events Center-Ice. The Generals will also face the Wranglers on Saturday at 7:35 PM at Lane Events Center-Ice. Both games will be broadcast on GiTV. For more information on upcoming games or GiTV please visit eugenegenerals.com.