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Mississauga Steelheads

Zanussi Makes 39 Saves in Loss

March 21, 2015 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Mississauga Steelheads News Release


The Steelheads were in Niagara tonight, taking on the IceDogs at the Meridian Centre. Goaltenders Brent Moran and Cameron Zanussi got the start in goals for the IceDogs and Steelheads respectively. The Steelheads, coming off a loss last night to the North Bay Battalion, looked to steal two points from the IceDogs to play spoiler in their pursuit of gaining home-ice advantage over Ottawa.

The Dogs got the early jump on the Steelheads, as Anthony DiFruscia potted a goal in the opening minute of play. After surrendering the early one, Zanussi began to look more comfortable in his crease, making some tough saves against Niagara's shooters. The IceDogs gained some momentum as the Steelheads took the first penalty of the game. DiFruscia continued to impress, converting on the man advantage for the Dogs, getting his second goal of the period. The Steelheads brought a physical game to the ice tonight, laying on the hits to the Niagara squad.

The IceDogs doubled their shot total in the second period, but did not double their goal total, and that is due much in part to the play of Zanussi. The rookie netminder made 18 saves in the middle frame, most notably was the highway robbery he committed on a pinching Billy Jenkins in tight. A slew of penalties in the early minutes of the period led to teams trading abbreviated power plays, and Mississauga was first to convert on a chance. Stefan LeBlanc received a feed from Mikey McLeod and threaded a needle through traffic for his eighth of the season. The goal cut the Dogs lead in half and brought the Trout right back into the game. The IceDogs had an answer in Josh Ho-Sang. The streaky forward took a lead pass at the red line and broke in behind the defence, making a simple move to his backhand and beat Zanussi, to reinstate a two-goal lead. Just as in the first period, the Trout took a late penalty and would begin the final frame a man down.

The Trout took an early minor in the third, and had to deal with a 5-on-3 for ten seconds. They outlasted both penalties, but the IceDogs made them pay shortly after that. Mitchell Fitzmorris and Brendan Perlini scored goals 39 seconds apart, to extend the IceDogs lead to 5-1. The Steelheads would answer with a goal of their own, as Bobby MacIntyre grabbed the puck and ran off on a breakaway toward Moran. His wrist shot was too much for the glove of Moran, who bobbled in and MacIntyre saw his fifth of the season find twine. Zanussi made 39 saves in the 5-2 loss to the IceDogs, including an 18-save second period, but was snubbed from the three stars list.

The Steelheads are coming home to take on the Peterborough Petes in a Sunday matinee for the final game of their 2014-15 season! Great seats are still available, through the MARCH MADNESS ticket deal, or Ticketmaster. Get your tickets and we'll see you tomorrow at 2:00 p.m.!

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from March 21, 2015


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