Gens Are On a Roll As They Win Their Third Straight

Photo: Pascal Rheaume (Flint Generals, C)

 The Flint Generals won back-to-back games for the first time all year when they pulled themselves out of a three goal hole to beat the Muskegon Lumberjacks, 4-3, at the Perani Arena last Sunday. 

 Pascal Rheaume netted the game winner in the shoot-out and the Generals were officially on a winning streak. 

 The Bloomington Prairie Thunder came to town as they met up with the Generals on Friday night. 

 The Generals wouldn't waste any time scoring the first goal.

 Two minor penalities on Bloomington set the Gens up for a 5 on 3 advantage in the early goings of the first period. 

 John Mori netted his eighth goal of the season on the first Flint Generals power play, putting the G-Men up 1-0.That goal marked the fifth consecutive contest in which Mori netted a puck, which happens to be a team-high scoring streak.  

 Former Michigan State Spartan Tony Tuzzolino found the back of the twine twice (4,5) in the second frame, once on the power play, his second goal came by way of a Jamie Schaafsma assist.  

 The Generals' solid showing defensively, accompanied with their two successful power plays gave them a three goal edge going into the first intermission.

 John Ronan's (Rheaume) short-handed goal, his fourth of the season, gave the Generals a three goal cushion once again early in the third period as they continued to cruise.

 The third period became chippy as Flint's Steve Silver and John Mori were both served with five-minute majors for fighting. Mori would also be assessed a game misconduct, ending his his night with less than six minutes to play.

 Flint's young defenseman Brandon Gentile made several visits to the sin-bin during the extremely physical third frame.

Brandon was called for multiple minors, but his tough play helped set the tone for Generals: they weren't going to be pushed around by Bloomington.

 Jamie Schaafsma gave the G-Men their fifth goal of the night and tallied his ninth overall on the year. 

 The Generals were only able to muster two shots on the net in the final 20 minutes, but they made them count -both were goals.

 Flint's 5-2 routing of Bloomington gave them their third consecutive win of the season, improving their record to 6-12-0-2. Rookie goaltender Rob Nolan impressed with his second straight win as a starter, he stopped 34 of the 36 shots fired at him.

 Something happened at the Perani Arena on Friday night. Not only did the Gens put together three solid periods of hockey, won their third straight, but there is a certain feeling that they emit. It's visible on the bench, in the locker room, and all the guys' faces.

 Both Tony Tuzzolino and Rob Nolan feel the same way when it comes to their team.

 "We have a long way to go", said Rob Nolan, "we're beginning to trust each other more and more. We win as a team, lose as a team."

 "Three wins in a row feels better than losing seven (consecutive games)," explained the veteran Tony Tuzzolino.

 Generals fans can now be optimistic for the future of the 2009 season as they see a "new" Flint Generals squad develop.

 Stars of the game, Nolan, Mori, and Tuzzolino.