Attleboro, MA – For just the first time this season the Generals NAHL team will welcome the Philadelphia Rebels to the Village for a two game series on January 18th and 19th. The two teams have met twice before this season at the Rebels home ice in Sewell, NJ.
Season Series
This season then Generals hold the series advantage 3 games to 1. A weekend sweep back on October 7th and 8th. Game one saw the Gens pick up the 4-2 win over Philadelphia while the second was a 2-0 shutout credited to Cullen DeYoung in the crease for Northeast. More recently the teams split a weekend set on January 6th and 7th. The first action of the new calendar year provided to be a closely contested battle between the two teams, but Dave Andreychuk helped his team to the game one win with the game winner. His 13th goal of the season. The second game was just as contested, but the Rebels found themselves on top with a couple of empty net goals at the end to defeat the Generals 7-4.
Back at Home
Thursday night’s game will be the first home game for the Generals since December 3rd. A 4-3 overtime win over the Maryland Black Bears. Part of the extended absence from the village is thanks to the December holiday break, but Since then the Gens have gone 5-3 with games against the New Jersey Titans, Danbury Hat Tricks, Johnstown Tomahawks, and Philadelphia Rebels all on the road.
Top of the Tables
The Generals find themselves with a few players among the league leaders in different statistical categories. First, the NAHL’s leading point scorer is Dave Andreychuk. The 2002 birth year out of Florida has 47 points (14g, 33a) in 34 games played. In third place of the league is fellow captain and Arizona State (NCAA DI) commit Paul Minnehan with 43 (16g, 27a) in just 31 games. Among players with at least 20 games played this season Minnehan ranks first in points per game with 1.39. Jake LaRusso sits in sixth place in points with 39, but second in the league in goals scored with 21. In his first season with the Generals LaRusso has found the back of the net with consistency for his new team.
Rookie Leaders
It’s not just the veterans making their presence felt on the ice. A pair of Generals, Ryan Schelling and Toby Hopp are impressing in their first season a part of the North American Hockey League. Schelling out of Suffern, NY is fourth among rookie skaters with 29 points (6g, 23a) this season. Hopp meanwhile is 3rd in the NAHL in save percentage (.931), and top five in wins (11) among rookie netminders.
Going Streaking
Finding your name on the scoresheet with consistency is something that a lot of players struggle with. For others it’s easy. Andreychuk is in the latter category. “Andy” has points in 7 straight games striking at a 2 point per game rate during the period (5-9-14). The streak dating back to December 10th and a matchup in Jersey against the Titans matches Andreychuk and the Generals high this season set between September 23rd to October 8th. A period that saw him collect 5 goals and 9 assists for 14 points as well.
First Game Cooking
The Generals have found most of their success this season in the first game of two game sets. Of their least 7 two game series’ the Generals have won 6 of the first games. After that they have a 2-5 record in game two of the series.
Back in Black
The Generals will rock their black third jersey this weekend for the first time since October 25th. The only other time rocking the black and white look this season. The game was a 5-1 win for the visiting Maine Nordiques.
NAHL Top Prospects Showcase
Coming up on February 6-7 the North American Hockey League will host their annual Top Prospects Showcase with uncommitted players from all around the league coming together to represent their divisions in a four game showcase at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex in Pittsburgh, PA. Players listed on the NHL Central Scouting list will also be selected to represent their division. Teams will send a certain amount of players based on their position in the division standings. The Generals, tied for second in the East will send 3 players to the showcase. Rosters for the showcase will be released on January 25th. You can find them along with more information on the NAHL website.
To catch this week’s NAHL action tune into HockeyTV and follow Gens social media @negenerals on Instagram and Twitter for live game updates and more.