Resilient IceDogs show bite against top 67’s team
NIAGARA, ON – The IceDogs played their third game in three nights as they welcomed in the 1st place Ottawa 67’s. A strong effort for the home crowd in front of 4,682 fans at the Meridian Centre coming within one goal. Declan Waddick and David Jesus potted the goals for the home side.
Starting Goaltenders: Owen Flores (NIAG), Collin MacKenzie (OTT)
No scoring in the opening period up until the final six minutes when Tolnai would catch the IceDogs with a shorthanded goal when teams skated 4 on 3, which opened the scoring. The 67’s would extend their lead with a scramble in front of Flores eventually shuffled into the net. The play was reviewed and called no-goal on the ice. 1-0 for the visitors going into the middle period.
After a Daniel Michaud breakaway was stopped but called for a questionable goaltender interference penalty, which the 67’s would capitalize with the man advantage, extending their lead to two.
Declan Waddick would take the pass from Podolioukh entering the zone and beat MacKenzie on the backhand for his team leading 25th of the season to get the IceDogs on the board. The IceDogs would get 16 shots in the middle period with many strong chances and were up to the task versus a top Ottawa team going in to the room.
Much of a defensive and physical final period didn’t result in any goals on either side until overage d-man David Jesus’ point shot found the back of the net with traffic in front. Niagara would call their timeout with 1:38 left on the clock but would come up just short to even the game up. Flores stopped 45 shots in the effort.
Niagara will travel to Erie on Wednesday Night for a 6:30 puck drop in the state of Pennsylvania against a geographical rival in the Otters.
Three Stars
- OTT Cameron Tolnai (1 goal, 1 assist)
- NIAG Owen Flores (45 saves)
- NIAG David Jesus (1 goal)
Team Stats
Powerplay: NIAG: 0/4, OTT: 1/2
Shots: NIAG: 48, OTT: 31
Goal Scorers
- OTT C. Tolnai (23) A: M. Mayich, P. Mintyukov SH
- OTT B. Stonehouse (33) A: C. Tolnai, P. Mintyukov PP
- NIAG D. Waddick (25) A: M.Podolioukh, N. Ribau
- OTT B. Gardiner (19) A: W. Gerrior, J. Matier
- NIAG D. Jesus (5) A: B. Ride, K. He