Generals Capture First Series

The Eugene Generals shut out the Puget Sound Tomahawks 4-0 Sunday night in Bremerton to take the Western Division quarterfinal series 2-1. The win ensured the Generals their first series win in as many tries. The Generals struggled mightily in the second game of the series, falling behind 7-0 before scoring 4 of the game’s final 5 goals, but came out roaring in the third, and final, game of the series. “Our team played with more heart and determination than I’ve seen all season,” Generals Head Coach Robert Freeland stated. “This was only our second shut out of the season, and it came at the perfect time.”

After a dominating performance on Friday in Eugene, the Generals appeared to enter the second game with a little too much confidence, and the Tomahawks capitalized. The Generals did manage to score four goals in the third period, which seemed to give them some swagger heading into the do-or-die game three. The Generals controlled the game from the first face-off, and never looked back.

Ben Tikka started the scoring for the Generals, scoring 50 seconds into the second period. The Generals defenseman has given the Generals a huge spark with 6 points in the Generals first three playoff games. Tikka is now the second highest scorer remaining in the playoffs. Puget Sound just didn’t have an answer for Generals leading scorer Kris Kranzky, who had 2 goals and 2 assists in the game, and now leads all playoff scoring with 10 points. Kranzky scored his first goal of the game 2:35 into the second period, and added his second 12:45 into the third. Michael Frei ended any hope that the Tomahawks might get back into the game two minutes later when he pounded home a rebound goal, to give the Generals a 4-0 lead with only five minutes remaining in the game. The Generals also had an amazing game from their goaltender Spencer Alvarez, who saved all 26 shots he was presented in the game.

The Generals will host the Tri-City Titans, who upset the number one seed Fort Vancouver Pioneers in the other Western Division quarterfinal series 2-1, this Saturday at 7:35 and Sunday at 3:00 at Lane Events Center-Ice. The Generals won the season series with the Titans 3-1, but easily handled Tri-City by a combined score of 14-5 the last two games against the Titans. Tri-City is not a team to take for granted, however. The Titans have arguably the best goalie from the NOR-PAC regular season in Tim Potter, and Jared Darby, who had 2 goals and 1 assist in the 5-4 comeback game three win against Fort Vancouver. The Titans beat the Generals in the first game of the season series 4-1, and the Titans took the Generals to overtime in the second game of the series. The Generals will have to play a full 60 minutes every game against the Titans, to ensure that another upset doesn’t happen in the Western Division Finals.

The Generals games this weekend will be broadcast on GiTV on www.eugenegenerals.com. For more information on upcoming games please visit www.eugenegenerals.com.

For more information:
Chris Bilder, Public Relations/Marketing, Eugene Generals
541-359-4154 (office)
541-680-6222 (cell)