After an exciting overtime win in London last night, the Steelheads look to collect two more points against the Oshawa Generals in their second game of their three-in-three weekend.
First Period
The Steelheads took on the Oshawa Generals for the first time this season in their first Saturday home game. The two teams last faced each other on April 15 in Oshawa for the final game of the 2021-22 regular season.
The Generals managed to win the opening face-off and hold control in the Steelheads’ zone to start the game. Wasting no time, Oshawa’s Brett Harrison put one past Alessio Beglieri to give the away team an early lead.
The Steelheads shook off the early goal and pushed back, which led to Oshawa taking a penalty five minutes into the period. The Steelheads took advantage of their early power play and just 30 seconds in, Mississauga forward Luca Del Bel Belluz put one top-corner past Oshawa goaltender Carter Bickle to tie the game at one. Captain Ethan Del Mastro earned the helper, his fourth in the last two games.
Del Bel Belluz’s goal gave life to the Steelheads and they continued to hold the zone, taking multiple shots on the Generals’ goalie. Taking another penalty, the Steelheads regained the man-advantage, where they badgered Bickle with shots. Winning the faceoff, Del Bel Belluz sent the puck back to James Hardie, who took a hard slap-shot and put it right over Bickle to give the Trout the lead. Del Bel Belluz’s assist marked his second point of the night.
With both teams upping the pressure, they exchanged several good chances throughout the rest of the period. However, with just under two minutes left in the first, Generals’ Calum Ritchie put one over the shoulder of Beglieri to tie the game at 2-2 going into the first intermission.
Shots on Goal – 7 OSH/8 MISS
Second Period
Both teams started the period physically hoping to take the lead. Just when Oshawa looked as though they were going to start dominating the period, Beglieri made the necessary saves to hold them back and slow their momentum.
The Steelheads then took hold of the play, outshooting the Generals by more than double, but Bickle was able to stay strong in between the pipes. The best chance of the period for Mississauga came just before the midway point after a strong penalty kill. Just as the penalty to Jake Uberti expired, Hardie collected the puck, entering the zone with a sole Generals’ defender. The overager managed to hold the defender off long enough to take a shot, but the puck went just high.
The teams continued to trade great opportunities and deliver big hits, but both goalies stood tall, keeping the score tied at 2-2 going into the second intermission.
Shots on Goal – 6 OSH/14 MISS
Third Period
It was an intense battle with the two teams fighting to take the lead. Both goalies remained sturdy, but not without the help of the defenders. Neither of the teams’ blueliners made it easy to enter the zone, swiping the puck away from the offenders at every opportunity.
The Steelheads and the Generals kept exchanging great chances, but it was the captain of the Trout who sealed the deal. Scoring his first of the year, Del Mastro’s efforts in the offensive zone paid off, giving Mississauga the lead with just over three minutes remaining. Uberti and Chas Sharpe earned the assists on the game winner.
The Generals’ gave it all that they had, hoping to sneak another one past Beglieri, but the goalie stayed strong allowing the Steelheads to win their fifth game of the season.
Shots on Goal – 11 OSH/5 MISS
Total Shots – 24 OSH/27 MISS
Three Stars:
- Ethan Del Mastro (1G, 1A)
- Alessio Belieri (22 SV)
- Luca Del Bel Belluz (1G, 1A)
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