The Oshawa Generals defeated the Barrie Colts 8-4 in game four of the OHL Eastern Conference Final to sweep the series and win a rematch against the London Knights in the Final. It is the second year in a row that the Generals have won the Bobby Orr Trophy.
“Every single guy dug deep and played hard,” said Colby Barlow. “I’m so proud of everybody.”
In the first three games of the Eastern Conference Final, Oshawa’s offense seemed to be the difference maker. Stars like Beckett Sennecke, Colby Barlow and Luca Marrelli continuously scored big goals for the Generals, while at times the Colts struggled to get pucks behind Jacob Oster.
In game four, the Colts’ offense was firing on all cylinders. Thanks to Utah Hockey Club prospect Cole Beaudoin, they had the lead after the first period. They then scored a pair of goals in 33 seconds midway through the second period to undo what had become a 2-1 Oshawa lead.
The adulation was short-lived, as Owen Griffin banked in a fluky goal on a partial breakaway to tie the game at three going into the third period.
The Generals answered the call in the third, scoring three unanswered goals in the span of a minute and a half to take a 6-3 lead.
While Barrie’s Dalyn Wakely did score his seventh of the playoffs to claw one back for Barrie, the damage had already been done. The final score was 8-4 in favour of Oshawa.
“It was a 20-minute hockey game,” said Barlow. “All the guys put everything on the line and got the job done.
The stars once again provided for Oshawa. Luca Marelli scored a goal and added four assists to complete a five-point evening. Third-overall pick at the 2024 NHL Draft, Beckett Sennecke also tallied four assists in the game while Calum Ritchie scored a goal and added two assists.
“A lot of these guys, it’s their last year in this league,” said Malone. “For them to have the opportunity to do what we’re going to do, I am very proud of them, it’s a great experience.”
The win guarantees Oshawa’s return to the J. Ross Robertson Cup Finals. They get an opportunity to get revenge against a London group that swept them in last year’s finals.
It will undoubtedly be a titanic clash between two squads that are incredibly deep and loaded with talent. A total of 19 NHL-drafted players will be featured in the final matchup, 12 of whom play for London and seven for Oshawa.
This is not the inexperienced and young Oshawa team London faced last year. The Generals are one of the most talented teams in the league offensively and a colossal D-corps that includes standouts like 6-foot-6 Simon Wang and the 6-foot-4 Nashville Predators prospect Andrew Gibson.
The talented Generals group will do everything they can to dethrone the London Knights, who have been in the finals for the last three years. Buckle up, it’s going to be a wild ride.
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