BY KYLE ZIES (’16)

All things Newark Generals in the humble eye of Kyle Zies.

-Entrée-

Although the Generals stand at the helm of the standings with a 9-0-1 record for a league high 19 points, things have looked bleak on the ice. The Gens escaped with a narrow victory on Thursday with a 2-1 win over the PHA Prowlers (who stand with a league worst 0-11 record) as the Prowlers exposed the Generals young and inexperienced blue line by feeding goaltender Dustin Bargo with a consistent barrage of shots throughout the night.

League goal scoring leader, Patrick Chaykowski, had a breakaway chance around the midway point of the game after fighting off the Prowlers defenseman and getting a quality shot on Prowlers netminder Ben Dunlap. I was impressed with Will Dickson’s work on the penalty kill attempting to play a physical game and doing a great job of dishing the puck out of the zone. Levi Beckholt had a decent game playing down the middle of the top line. Costly turnovers and penalties is what kept this game from getting out of hand in the Generals favor. The Gens seemed to take two steps forward and one step back throughout the night.

“We came out flat,” said forward John Hays. “We let them dictate the style of play early but, we have to move on and lay down the law.”

Moving on is exactly what the Gens will have to do. They will learn from their mistakes but not dwell on a win. With a Thursday matchup against the Northeast Storm who sport a competitive 6-4-1 record for a respectable 13 points, the top players will indeed have to lay down the law. The Gens are still undefeated in regulation and that is something to continue building upon.

In regards to the blue line, defensemen Nathan Chaykowski is the anchor. A big bodied and physical defensemen who plays a good versatile game, must continue his play and bring some leadership to the young blue line. Joe Rapp (just 15) is holding his own and looking to increase his ice time by completing his all-around game.

The Gens are good. Scary good. But, until they straighten up there backend to more consistent play, it’s hard to label them as elite. Yet.

-Side Dishes-

Goaltender Charlie Smart should get the nod to be back in between the pipes, although Bargo did show plenty of potential in the PHA game.

Center Levi Beckholt is day to day with a lower body injury after taking a slash to the knee Thursday against PHA.

Forward Tyler Schroeder will be suspended due to two ten-minute misconducts.

Next Game: Thursday December 17 vs. Northeast Storm (6-4-1) 8pm puck-drop