Oster gets first career shutout in 2-0 win over Kingston

Oshawa, Ont., – The Oshawa Generals continued their recent winning ways, backing up their 9-5 win over the Windsor Spitfires with a 2-0 road win over the Kingston Frontenacs on Friday night.

It was a first period for the Oshawa Generals to remember, despite the fact they didn’t score. For the first eight minutes of the frame, there was nothing Kingston could do to get the puck, let alone get it out of their zone. Even with the dominating offensive zone pressure, the Generals couldn’t solve Frontenac netminder, Mason Vaccari.

Both goalies were perfect after 20 minutes.

The second period saw some of Oshawa’s early efforts paying off. Barely more than a minute into the middle period, OA forward Ryan Gagnier fed a puck to the slot in front of the net to Calum Ritchie, for an easy one-timer into the net. Fresh off his appearance at the Kubota CHL/NHL Prospects game in Kamloops, Ritchie was able to score his 18th of the season. Ritchie also added a goal and an assist in Kamloops.

Generals goaltender Jacob Oster wasn’t tested very much in the second period but stood tall when he was called upon, stopping all 14 shots he faced to that point.

The third period was much of the same story for both teams, with on and off pressure, amounting to few chances amounting to any real goal opportunities. Kingston’s best chance at tying the game came on a three-on-one break which saw their forward miss the net.

Despite some penalty troubles, Oshawa killed both, extending their recent penalty kill streak to 18 for their last 18, and 36 of 38 penalties killed since January 1st. This goes hand-in-hand with their league-leading power play of more than 25 per cent.

Kingston couldn’t muster any more legit chances, and Calum Ritchie would score goal number 19 into the empty net to seal the 2-0 victory for Oshawa.

Jacob Oster continues his hot start as a General, stopping all 19 shots for his first career OHL shutout. Since joining the Generals, Oster is 2-1-0-0 with a 1.34 GAA and a 0.953 save percentage.

The Generals are now winners in four of their last six games, and will look to continue the winning ways on Sunday in front of yet another near-sellout crowd against the North Bay Battalion on Retro Night!