Photo Credit: Kelsey Lee-Violet Turtle Photography

While Generals Head Coach Bryan Erikson is right to divide his team’s season into six ten game segments, the Generals have shown a marked improvement in their first nine games this year, compared to after game nine of last season. Tonight was one of the best games his team played as they earned a 4-0 shutout over the Jamestown Rebels, with Carson Limesand securing his first NAHL shutout, making 25 saves on the evening.

The scoring got off to a strong start in the first, with Paul Minnehan getting the first of his two goals. Joe Schubert got a clean wrister off, similar in form to his goal against Danbury, while Jared Scott also contributed as well. On the goals and compete level of the night, Erikson had this to say ” I thought we did a good job early getting to the net. Creating opportunities. Great to get Minnehan going. And of course great for Schubert to bury that one and Scott to stay hot. Loved the compete especially in the first 20.”

One player that did not score, but has consistently elevated his game is Matt Boczar. In front of dozens of college teams he shined bright tonight, and has played well this year, elevating his game in a bigger role. As Erikson said of Boczar, with the nickname of “Box”, ” Box is the man. He just works and works and works. The buzz on him has been great. And this is a kid that has literally never been given anything. He just competes. Love him as a person and love how he owns mistakes and doesn’t get too high on great plays.”

One other group of standouts that Erikson has hated to keep apart is the line of Joe Schubert, Kyle Schroder, and Landon Kolnik. Tonight Kolnik had two assists and drove his line with his consistent energy. On why the line works together, Erikson was honest about its genesis, and what they bring, saying ” Sometimes you draw something up and it stinks. Other times you draw it up and it just clicks. And those three love each other on the ice and off the ice. 3 amazing kids that all play with such passion, grit and energy. I love that line.” That line will be a big part of the Generals goal to finish their first block of the season with a 7-3 record tomorrow night. Erikson and his staff will work to keep the team in the moment. Even after tomorrow, they will only have a winning record over one of the six ten game segments this season is divided up into. While the start is positive, tonight showed that this team could have a higher ceiling than many would have thought heading into the year.

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