Petchenig scores first OHL goal as the Generals down the Battalion

BRAMPTON, Ont. - Will Petschenig’s first-career Ontario Hockey League goal served as the winner as the Oshawa Generals skated to a 4-1 win over the host Brampton Battalion on Thursday.

Scott Laughton, Bradley Latour, and Cole Cassels scored the other goals for Oshawa (22-14-3), which won for the first time in three outings.

Blake Clarke scored the lone goal for Brampton (19-15-6).

After Laughton opened the scoring four minutes into the game, Petschenig made it 2-0 with less than two minutes remaining in the first period. His shoot-in from centre ice took an odd bounce off the glass and found its way into the back of the net, fooling goaltender Jake Smith who left the crease in order to play the puck.

Clarke brought Brampton to within a goal late in the second period, beating Daniel Altshuller on a wrist shot from close range.

However, Latour provided the insurance goal for the visitors at the midway point of the final period, with Cassels rounding out the scoring with an empty-net goal.

“We played a good defensive game tonight,” said Laughton. “Our coach (D.J. Smith) installed a strong defensive system when he came in and we’ve been doing a pretty good job at it.”

Altshuller made 16 saves for the win as Smith stopped 21-of-24 shots in defeat.