Reinforcements are on the way for the Generals for their pivotal Game 3 matchup in the OHL Finals versus the London Knights
Reinforcements are on the way for the Generals for their pivotal Game 3 matchup in the OHL Finals versus the London Knights
After dropping the first two games of the series by scores of 8-1 and 9-1. The Oshawa Generals and their fans need something to look forward to. Well, lucky for them (and the team mostly) they will have Connor Punnett and Matthew Buckley back in their lineup for Game 3.
Connor Punnett was injured near the end of Game 3 in Oshawa's last series against the North Bay Battalion after he stood up Sandis Vilmanis at the blueline with a solid, clean hit. Unfortunately, as both players were falling to the ice, Punnett's left leg appeared to get trapped underneath Vilmanis, and would not put any pressure on that leg as he was helped off the ice by his trainer and teammates.
Punnett was acquired from Barrie by the Generals midway through the year to bolster their blueline with his leadership, experience, and rugged physical play on the backend. The big 6-foot-2 Powassan, Ontario native is known for making his opponents' lives a living hell as he uses his size to outmuscle you off the puck and rub you out of the play.
It's no secret how important he has been to this Oshawa lineup, seeing as after his injury, North Bay's offence came alive and pushed the Eastern Conference Series to seven games after the Generals cruised to a 3-0 lead.
Punnett did suit up for Game 7 against the Battalion but he played only a total of two shifts in the game, still injured but wanted to have his vocal presence on the bench for his teammates.
London has scored 17 goals through the first two games of the OHL Finals, a stat that I'm sure Punnett has looked at and can't help but think he could help deteriorate. His welcome back to the lineup is a massive boost for this Gens team.
The other player returning from injury is their winger and 30-goal scorer in the regular season, Matthew Buckley. After only scoring a combined 17 goals through the first 107 games of his OHL career. Buckley exploded this season offensively for 30 goals and his production has added depth to an Oshawa team that has been seen as only a one-line team.
Buckley has been in and out of the lineup since the middle parts of their series against North Bay, but he'll be giving Head Coach Derek Laxdal a much-needed offensive boost that he can assert up and down the lineup.