Written By: Kyle Akitt & Brandon Caputo
Photo Credit: Brandon Taylor/OHL Images
Make sure to follow our Dog Pound Podcast on Twitter
by clicking the logo above
No Horsepower For The IceDogs
Photo Credit: Terry Wilson/OHL Images
By: Kyle Akitt
Coming into this week, The Niagara IceDogs are looking to bounce back and eliminate what has been a rough losing streak as of late, losing their last 5 games consecutively. A positive going into tonight was that the IceDogs, out of the 4 wins this season, had 2 against the Barrie Colts. One on Oct. 7th in 4-1 win and an 8-5 win on Oct.21st. The IceDogs were looking to make it three in a row and on home ice during the 3rd of 8 meetings this season versus the Colts.
The suspensions to two key IceDogs forwards continued this game as Center Jake Uberti and Right Winger Danil Gushchin being out of the lineup continued to put the team at a disadvantage and Head Coach Billy Burke making more lineup adjustments. The IceDogs would however have 2 returning players from the Injured Reserve. Defenceman Dakota Betts, who plays a key role on the backend and penalty kill, and Left Winger Juan Copeland, who is having a good rookie campaign.
Tucker Tynan would get the nod in net for this game with his 3rd straight start between the pipes for the IceDogs. Regardless of his statistics this season (3.23 GAA, .909 Save%), Tynan has been very good and on occasion averaging 40-50 saves per game. This is definitely something the IceDogs and Coach Billy Burke are looking to work on as the season continues in helping on the defensive side of the game.
STARTING LINEUP:
Anthony Agostinelli (C)
Cameron Snow (LW)
Cameron Peters (RW)
Landon Cato (D)
Mason Howard (D)
Tucker Tynan (G)
FIRST PERIOD
The IceDogs looked to make a statement early and got it in rookie forward Declan Waddick as he put a puck past Colts Goaltender Matthew Sbrocca for his first career OHL goal and giving the IceDogs a 1-0 lead. Declan was drafted 39th Overall by the IceDogs in 2021 and was touted as one of the premier goal-scorers going into the OHL Draft. The momentum would continue in the IceDogs favour as a long screenshot by defencemen Alec Leonard would go in and make it a 2-0 game halfway through the first period. This would mark Leonard's 3rd goal of the season in his rookie campaign as well as he is looking to find his game still on the IceDogs back end. The Colts would not back down though as a broken play in the neutral zone would lead to a 2 on 1 and Left Winger Anthony Tabak put home his 2nd goal of the season, which ironically, his first goal came from the last meeting between these two teams.
SECOND PERIOD
Starting the 2nd period the IceDogs did not come out with the same energy as the first period and spent most of the first half of the period in the defensive zone. This would lead to eventually the Colts taking advantage of this start as Colorado Avalanche prospect forward Oskar Olausson would score his 10th goal of the season tying the game at 2 apiece. Olausson, a 2021 1st Round Draft pick of the Avalanche, has been a IceDogs killer this year so far scoring in each of their games versus each other, including the last game a hat trick performance. The period would continue to be a rough go for the IceDogs, not getting a shot on net until 13 minutes into the 2nd period. Things would continue to go the Colts NHL prospects way as Dallas Stars 5th Round Draft Pick Nicholas Porco was sent in on a breakaway for a goal and New York Rangers 5th Round Draft Pick Evan Vierling tips in his 5th of the season to give the Colts a 4-2 lead. This would mark 4 unanswered goals by the Barrie Colts and put a stranglehold on the IceDogs at this point of the game.
With a minute left in the period, some hope would finally show itself for the IceDogs in another rookie player scoring their first career OHL goal in defencemen Rodwin Dionicio. Drafted 18th Overall by the IceDogs in the 2021 OHL draft, Rodwin has shown great strides in his offensive and defensive game for the IceDogs and looks to continue working towards leading this core in the future.
THIRD PERIOD
The offensive struggles continued for the IceDogs in the third period with multiple scoring chances but continuing the streak of not capitalizing on them. This would hurt the IceDogs again as Barrie would score their 5th goal of the game and regain the 2 goal lead. Much like the rest of the game, the back and forth of goals would continue to strike again as IceDogs 2020 2nd Overall Pick Pano Fimis scored to bring the IceDogs back within 1 goal. The pace would begin to pick up at this point and the IceDogs were buzzing for a goal to tie the game. This would prove to be too little too late for the IceDogs as a shot from the point with 2 minutes left would deflect off of Dakota Betts and past Tucker Tynan to make it 6-4 late in the third period sending most of the fans to the exit early. The Colts would eventually score an empty-net goal and defeat the IceDogs 7-4. This would continue the IceDogs losing streak and extend it to 6 games with another home game against the Oshawa Generals on Saturday.
Jersey House Player of the Game: Rodwin Dionicio
Photo Credit: Brandon Taylor/OHL Images
IceDogs get "Monkey off the Back" against the Generals
Photo Credit: Terry Wilson/OHL Images
By: Brandon Caputo
In the back end of a 2-game home stand, the IceDogs are taking on the Oshawa Generals.
The Generals come into this game at 7-3-1-2 sitting 3rd place in the Eastern Conference.
The IceDogs come in at 4-9 sitting last in the East after a tough defeat at the hands of the Barrie Colts the night before. They led the game 2-0, but ultimately fell in defeat by a score of 7-4.
Coach Burke was pleased with the effort though as the team was able to rectify its recent penalty woes and did not allow the Colts lethal Powerplay many opportunities to score. It was a night of 1st's as 1st career goals came from Declan Waddick & Rodwin Dionicio, while Ryan Struthers recorded his 1st career point with an assist on Waddick's goal.
Top Centre Jake Uberti is still serving the final game of his 3-game suspension which will have him back in the lineup next Thursday. However, a big boost for the IceDogs as San Jose Sharks 3rd Rounder Daniil Gushchin returns to the lineup "From Russia With Love."
The Generals feature 3 NHL Drafted players with Captain Ty Tulio (EDM Oilers), Brett Harrison (BOS Bruins), & Matthew Hill (ANA Ducks). Star rookie Callum Ritchie has 16 points in 13 games.
Former IceDogs draft pick Lleyton Moore leads their backend with 1 goal & 10 assists.
Carter Bickle makes his OHL Debut tonight in net forOshawa, giving Patrick Leaver the night off.
Tucker Tynan gets the nod for back-to-back starts as he enters the crease for the 11th time in 14 games so far.
Rookie D-man Alec Leonard who scored his 1st OHL goal on Sunday in Mississauga now has a 2-game goal streak in tact, as he continues to gain confidence for what it takes to be an OHL defenseman.
STARTING LINEUP:
Ethan Sims (C)
Anthony Agostinelli (RW)
Cameron Snow (LW)
Rodwin Dionicio (D)
Alec Leonard (D)
Tucker Tynan (G)
The IceDogs were wearing their CHL Make Your Mark Design a Jersey Contest presented by Real Canadian Superstore, which was designed by Luca Amabile of Stouffville.
Photo Credit: Niagaraicedogs.net
FIRST PERIOD
Landon Cato is able to take a point shot off a turnover by Oshawa in their own end that finds the back of the net.
This was the 1st goal of Cato's OHL career, even as a 2nd year player. He does the "monkey off the back" celebration as the weekend of "firsts" continue for the IceDogs.
The IceDogs trying to take advantage of an inexperienced goaltender. 1-0 less than 3 minutes into the game.
Back and forth action for the better part of the period as Harrison rips one off the post for the Generals on a 2on1.
Leonard goes off for high sticking sending the Generals to the Powerplay and they are able to capitalize as Captain Ty Tulio takes a wrist shot from the right circle that goes top shelf on Tynan. Asst. Moore, Stepien.
Tied at 1-1 as the dogs penalty woes have crept back in once again. Daniil Gushchin makes an impact as he steals the pick away for a breakaway but is stopped, then unfortunately goes off for an offensive zone penalty giving the Generals their 2nd PP opportunity.
The "Killer Cam's" on the PK unit with Peters and Snow doing their best to get offensive chances down a man.
Callum Ritchie with a burst of speed is able to make a nice move around Cato and roof it on Tynan for their 2nd PP Goal of the period. Asst. Tulio, Moore as the 3 of them all with multi-point nights already.
IceDogs go to their 1st PP of the night, as a scramble ensued in front of the Generals net.
An unfortunate sequence as Gushchin rips one off the crossbar at the point, the goal horn goes off and the puck lays in the crease with a scramble but it is waved off as the referees lose sight of the puck. No Goal.
IceDogs get decent zone time at the end of the period off an initial 2on1 chance that is shot just wide by Roobroeck not known for his speed as such a big bodied player. Period ends 2-1 Generals.
Shots 13-10 in favour of Oshawa.
SECOND PERIOD
Gushchin is able to find the back of the net as IceDogs cause a defensive zone turnover for the Generals.
Great play by Enright to cause the turnover with pressure, Fimis shoots it from the high slot and the puck lays in in the crease for Daniil to shove into the net. Tied 2-2 early in the 2nd as the IceDogs come out with pressure.
Niagara Captain Butler goes off for a blindside hit that the IceDogs bench is not happy about being called.
Generals to their 3rd Powerplay with already 2 PP goals on the night. IceDogs able to kill off the penalty this time as they hold the Generals to not many good opportunities.
Agostinelli is able to get in tight as he dangles around Moore taking the pass from Sims and goes to the backhand to make it 3-2 IceDogs. 1st of the season for Agostinelli. Asst. Sims, Dionicio.
Great fight ensues as Enright fights the Oshawa captain Tulio to bing the Meridian centre fans to their feet.
Pano Fimis goes off for the IceDogs after just getting some momentum back, giving the Generals another PP chance.
A flurry in the IceDogs crease as Tynan loses his stick, but he is still able to squeeze the puck for the save as the IceDogs catch a break. The Gushchin, Fimis, Castle line definitely shows glimpses of speed and dynamic play at times, but that causes some good chances for the Oshawa top line at the same time. 3-2 at the end of the 2nd.
THIRD PERIOD
Brice Cooke goes off for an unintentional tripping penalty, giving the Generals another Powerplay opportunity about 5 minutes into the period. IceDogs able to do a good job on the PK, not allowing any grade A opportunities this time around, holding their own against a very formidable 5-man unit for Oshawa.
Good hustle by Peters on a flip dump play is able to cause a penalty for Hill from Oshawa giving the IceDogs a PP.
Unfortunately the IceDogs get very sloppy & passive in their own end and Gagnier is able to get the puck past Tynan. A stunner gets the Generals a tie game with a shorthanded goal.
*PLOT TWIST Play reviewed for goaltender interference when McKinney drove to the net and brushed Tynan before the puck came out to Gagnier. After several minutes it is determined to be NO GOAL on the play.
Huge break for the IceDogs as the game remains 3-2.
Gushchin finds Butler for a great chance in tight on his offhand that is gloved by Bickle. Tulio comes right down for the Generals on a 2on1 and rips one off the post, as the Icedogs are clinging onto the narrow lead.
Much of the 2nd half of the period is uneventful until the goalie is pulled for Oshawa with 1:30 left in the game.
Good save by Tynan through traffic to keep the 1-goal lead.
Cam Butler is able to poke the puck away and out of the zone killing off more time and Fimis rips one off the post on the empty net. IceDogs able to hold on and snap the losing streak with a 3-2 victory!
Attendance of 4,189 at the Meridian Centre, (a season high) in a winning effort that sent the patrons home pleased on Saturday Night.
Jersey House Player of the Game: Landon Cato
Photo Credit: Terry Wilson/OHL Images