Generals snap losing skid

It might not have much of an impact in the standings or a playoff run, but the Moose Jaw Generals’ 5-1 win over the Beardy’s Blackhawks on Jan.. 31 was as important a result as the team has had this season in Sask. Midget AAA Hockey League play.

That’s because it snapped a 13-game losing skid and finally shone a positive light on what has been a trying stretch of games for the local club.

“It was nice to get a couple breaks, I didn’t think we were as good as the past weekend at Regina and it’s funny how hockey works sometimes,” said Generals coach Ray Wareham. “But we were able to get a couple breaks and win, it was nice for the guys to be able to break the slide.”

Unfortunately, the Generals weren’t able to keep the run going as they fell 3-0 to Saskatoon Contacts on Saturday afternoon at Mosaic Place.

Jaxson Georget, Steven Kesslering and Trenton Curtis all scored in the final 10 minutes of the first period to give the Generals a 3-0 edge – one of the few times this season they’ve had that kind of an edge on a team. Brendan Kemp added to the Generals’ lead only 11 seconds into the second period, and then scored on the power play midway through the third to put Moose Jaw up 5-0. Mitch Girolami broke Jake Davidson’s shut-out bit with five minutes remaining in the game. “I think it was weird for the boys to play with the lead,” Wareham said with a laugh. “But it was good for the guys. They’ve been working hard from day one and to finish off the year, we’ve known for awhile that we weren’t going to make the playoffs but they’re still coming to the rink and working up a sweat, so that’s a good sign.

“The important thing is to try and finish off the season as well as we can and carry that momentum over into the summer, have a good summer of training and hopefully come back in August ready to go from the get go.”

Generals 5, Beardy’s 1

Contacts 3, Generals 0

Saskatoon broke open a scoreless game 5:56 into the third period on a goal by Boston Maxwell before Brodie Girod added an insurance marker with 3:20 remaining. Hunter Prokopchuk added an empty net goal with 1:48 left.

Davidson made 47 saves in taking the loss.

The Generals are back in action Feb. 8 when they host the Notre Dame Argos (7 p.m., Mosaic Place).