Photo Credit: Kelsey Lee-Violet Turtle Photography

In their NAHL Showcase Finale against Amarillo, the Generals had plenty of looks as the game wore on, but could not find the equalizing goal. The team looked better playing from behind for most of the showcase than they did tied or with a lead.

Tonight, they never trailed the Johnstown Tomahawks in their home opener at New England Sports Village.

For the Generals, Ryan Gordon, Douglas Friberg, Ryan Corcoran, Martin Marnauzs, and Brent Keefer all pitched in with goals. Friberg’s was the game winner, and one that pushed the team forward in their three goal first period. For that he was given first star honors.

As Head Coach Bryan Erikson said of what he liked from his group tonight:

” I liked how we protected the lead in the 3rd. We played really smart hockey. Stayed out of the nonsense for the most part and forced them to the outside. It was a solid 20 minutes.”

As to his first goal scorers (first NAHL goal scorers) Erikson said ” Great to see Doug score. Thought he struggled a bit on the puck early in the game and then once he scored he was able to relax and get more into the flow. It’s a huge monkey off the back for him. Same goes for Ryan Corcoran. Played real well. Stepped up when Kolnik got the 15 minutes for fighting and earned a regular shift. Excited for him”

Going forward, Erikson was clear, the third period for this team in how they played a complete game, and added scoring is the example period moving forward.

As he said ” If we can take that into every game I would love for that to be the standard, [with us playing] smart, intelligent, disciplined hockey.”

One General that has stood out more and more each game, as the speed Erikson saw in him at the NAPHL level and is showing more and more of his game breaking potential is Brent Keefer. He took the puck on a partial breakaway, skated into the pass, and then easily deposited the puck in the back of the net to earn the final goal of the night.

Erikson noted that Division One interest in him is picking up, saying ” Yes Keefer and I have spoken to a few D1 schools. Interest is picking up. He will be a huge get for any school. Has a visit coming up and then we are scheduling a few more. Great goal by him today.”

Tomorrow, with around 20 alums from the first Generals team, including Army West Point Captain Colin Bilek in attendance, the spotlight will be on this group. Erikson summed up what he is looking for from them saying of what he wants to see his team be “better on the puck, better F3, better communication. Just be more disciplined in executing our systems. I loved a lot of stuff but we didn’t see the best of Johnstown. They will bring a lot more tomorrow and we need to be ready for it.”

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