Greyhounds lose in shootout in Oshawa (Updated)

The Soo Greyhounds wrapped up their three-game road trip Sunday night in Oshawa with a 5-4 shootout loss to the Generals at the General Motors Centre.

A third-period goal by Tyler Gaudet, his fifth goal of the season, tied the game at four with just under five minutes remaining in regulation time forced overtime with the game eventually ending thanks to a shootout goal by Generals forward Cole Cassels.

Greyhounds coach Sheldon Keefe noted the Greyhounds ability to gain a point from the game was a proud moment.

“It took us a little while to ease into the game and to recognize the type of effort that was going to be required,” said Keefe. “Oshawa really pushed the pace early on and played fast and hard. We eased into that and finished with an excellent period, probably our best period of the road trip in the third period. To find a way to tie the game and earn a big point, I was really proud of the guys.”

Much of the first period was spent on special teams, which included a major penalty to Oshawa defenceman Josh Brown for checking from behind after a hit on Greyhounds forward Brandon Hughes midway through the opening period. The Generals served 13 minutes in penalties in the first period with the Greyhounds having five power plays.

“It’s difficult, especially when you’re only using a portion of your bench,” said Keefe of the special teams work in the first period. “It settled the game down a bit and allowed us to really get into the game. As tough as it was to utilize our bench, it kind of put a halt to the game. They were coming at us pretty hard five-on-five early.”

The Greyhounds finished the night 1-for-8 on the power play while the Generals were 1-for-4.

Scot Laughton led the way offensively for the Generals in the win with a pair of goals while Michael Dal Colle and Bradley Latour had a goal and an assist each. Cassels finished the night with the shootout winner and a pair of assists.

Ken Appleby got the start in goal for the Generals, stopping 20 shots before being pulled after the Greyhounds third goal. Daniel Altshuller came in and stopped 16 of 17 shots the rest of the way.

Sergey Tolchinsky scored a pair of goals for the Greyhounds in the loss while Gaudet had a goal and an assist. Nick Pastorious had the other goal for the Greyhounds, his first OHL point and goal.

Greyhounds goaltender Matt Murray stopped 31 shots.

The Greyhounds return to action on Wednesday night when they open up a three-game homestand against the Sarnia Sting at the Essar Centre.