Oshawa Generals Jeff Hayes, 21, turns away from the play while goalie Michal Neuvirth follows the puck during Ontario Hockey League playoff action against the Niagara IceDogs at the GM Centre.

By Wally Donaldson
The Oshawa Express

Somewhere at some time there must be an Olympics on the horizon for Michal Neuvirth.
Yes, his goaltending exploits with the Oshawa Generals comes to mind. However, gymnastics could also be knocking on his door.

This 20-year-old native of Usti Nad Labem in the Czech Republic has performed cartwheels and handstands, whatever it takes in his attempt to keep the puck out of the net so far in this year’s Ontario Hockey League (OHL) playoffs.

It was a talent Neuvirth executed oh, so effectively last year at the Memorial Cup with the Plymouth Whalers. In other words, it would appear the scent for a second consecutive
OHL title has consumed Neuvirth and he has responded in brilliant fashion, despite a blip last Saturday. Having played an integral part in the Generals’ 4-0 series defeat of the Ottawa 67’s in the first round, Neuvirth is clearly on a mission.

His performance has shaped the Generals to a 2-1 series lead over the skilled Niagara IceDogs. The Generals took a best-ofseven lead last Sunday evening with a 4-1 victory before 5,865 fans at GM Centre. Neuvirth, facing 30 shots, many from close range, used his 6- foot-one size effectively. He even received a much-appreciated assistance from his best friend, the goal post, on a couple of occasions.

“He’s been awesome,” beams Oshawa skipper Chris DePiero.“His commitment level to winning is giving our guys a lot of confidence, something they can feed off of. It’s excellent.”
Generals rebounded nicely on familiar ice - a sharp contrast from one night earlier where, despite earning a 3-0 lead in St. Catharines before the game was seven minutes old, Oshawa surprisingly succumbed to the firepower of the IceDogs in a 5-3 setback.

This outing in St. Kitts proved costly for both teams. Shea Kewin suffered a broken leg just 6:12 into the game during a fight with Niagara’s Matt Corrente, ironically the brother of Oshawa’s David Corrente. And Niagara’s high-scoring Alex Pietrangelo, who had four goals and eight points in four outings during the IceDogs sweep of the Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors in the first round, is under observation with, it is suspected, mononucleosis.

He didn’t last the opening period. In the series opener in Oshawa last Friday evening, the Generals coasted to a 6-1 verdict. Fourth game was last night in St. Catharines. The series returns to the GM Centre Friday evening, starting at 7:35.“It was important for us to respond from (Saturday’s loss). We only played half a game (in St. Catharines), but I was really proud of the way the boys played a full 60 minutes (on Sunday),” said DePiero.

Generals captain and blueliner Eric Regan turned in a splendid performance with three points, including the first goal of the game on a powerplay with 29 seconds left in the opening period. Kevin Baker gave Oshawa a 2- 0 lead just 16 seconds later. Jordan Foreman was the only Niagara player to beat Neuvirth on this night, notching his powerplay marker just 55 seconds into the middle frame.

Ryan McGinnis and Kory Nagy on the breakaway with 1:32 left on the clock, rounded out the scoring. Generals set the tone in the opening period. Despite enjoying a two-man advantage for 1:22, the IceDogs managed a paltry two shots on goal.“We did a very good job keeping them to the outside,” says DePiero.

“They’ve got some pretty big shooters and for us to contain them the way we did, I was pretty happy.” Niagara coach Mario Cicchillo acknowledges a different quality of style between the Generals and first-round opponent Majors.“Oshawa is nine deep and if there was a poll taken, everybody would like to have them,” said Cicchillo.

“What can you say about (Tavares)? Let’s call a spade a spade. The kid is a joy to watch. We’ve got our hands full. They have a good back end and their goaltender has been to a Memorial Cup. They’re playing good hockey right now.” WALLY WORLD – Andy Andreoff suited up for his first game in replacement of the injured Shea Kewin…

Ryan Baldwin has returned to Windsor and is not expected any time soon, according to Oshawa coach Chris DePiero.“It was a coaches decision,” he said. “We’ll leave it at that.”… Patrick Asselin, Kevin Baker and Kory Nagy had the Oshawa goals in St. Catharines…

Oshawa sniper John Tavares nearly converted the picture goal of the series during the second period on a solo rush. His flexibility allowed him to dip around three Niagara players and even with Reggie Traccitto on his arm, Tavares let go a quick drive that rang off the far post.