Archibald's Hat-Trick Boosts IceDogs Past Petes
March 16, 2011 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Niagara IceDogs News Release
Darren Archibald's hat-trick boosted the Niagara IceDogs to a 6-3 victory over the Peterborough Petes Wednesday night in Peterborough, improving their record to 44-16-2-4.
Along with Archibald's stellar play, Mitchell Theoret and Myles Doan also played a crucial role in the victory, while Ryan Strome and Dougie Hamilton both recorded points to continue their impressive sophomore campaigns.
Both teams played well in the first period as they each created some quality scoring chances, while also playing well in their respective defensive ends.
Goaltenders Mark Visentin and Andrew D'Agostini also played a solid game between the pipes in the first, and the two teams would head into the dressing room in a scoreless tie after 20 minutes.
The Petes finally opened things up at the 1:58 mark as Austin Watson picked up his 33rd goal of the season to give his team a 1-0 lead in front of their home crowd.
Just past the halfway point of the second, Darren Archibald tied things up with his 37th tally of the season with the help of Myles Doan to give the 'Dogs some life.
Niagara killed off a couple penalties throughout the remainder of the period, but the score remained at a 1-1 going into the second intermission.
Mitchell Theoret did a great job getting into the thick of things in the third period, and he drew a Petes penalty five minutes in to give the IceDogs their first power play of the game.
Ryan Strome continued to prove he can shoot the puck as well as he can make plays as he sniped his 33rd goal of the season at the 6:10 mark to give the 'Dogs their first lead of the game, 2-1. Dougie Hamilton made a beautiful pass into the high slot to set up the play, picking up his 45th assist and 57th point.
Shortly after Strome's marker, Theoret gave a solid effort racing to beat an icing, and he took a heavy check into the board from Peterborough enforcer Derek Mathers, who received a check from behind penalty, putting the IceDogs on the man advantage once again.
Darren Archibald then converted his second goal of the game (38th of the season) at the 9:18 mark to give Niagara a 3-1 lead, making them two for two on the power play.
Although Jason Wilson took a minor penalty for high-sticking shortly after the goal, the IceDogs scoring frenzy wouldn't end there as captain Andrew Agozzino exploded onto a breakaway after creating a turnover and made no mistake in picking the low left corner on D'Agostini's blocker side to notch his 42nd of the season shorthanded.
However, that didn't end the Petes power play, and Luke Mercer took another minor for hooking to give them a five-on-three advantage.
Lino Martschini capitalized on the Peterborough power play to cut the IceDogs lead to 4-2.
To answer Martschini's tally, Mitchell Theoret continued his exceptional game for Niagara as he made a great individual effort to break into the Petes zone and pick the top-corner glove side to increase their lead to 5-2.
Fittingly, Darren Archibald followed up with his 39th goal of the season to complete the hat-trick and give Niagara a commanding 6-2 lead. Myles Doan set up the play to pick up his third assist of the game and second on an Archibald goal.
Peterborough continued the scoring trend to cut the lead once again to 6-3, but that's as far as they would get as the 'Dogs killed off the clock and took home their sixth straight victory over the Petes.
The IceDogs return to action tomorrow night as they host the Mississauga St. Michael's Majors at 7 p.m., before playing their final game of the regular season this Saturday, Mar. 18 against the Kingston Frontenacs, also at 7 p.m.
Both games take place at the Gatorade Garden City Complex, and there are still seats and standing room available, so don't forget to purchase your tickets and come support the IceDogs as they prepare to finish their most successful season since coming to Niagara.
For more ticketing information, please contact the IceDogs office from Monday to Friday at 905-687-DOG1.
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