Dogs Fall to Otters in Erie
January 29, 2023 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Niagara IceDogs News Release
ERIE, PA - The IceDogs entered Sunday's afternoon matchup coming off a loss last night at home against the Battalion. These two hockey clubs are no stranger to eachother as today is their 5th meeting this season and second in just 3 days. In their last matchup on Thursday, the IceDogs rolled over the Otters at home with goals coming from Bronson Ride, Declan Waddick, Daniel Michaud, Alex Assadourian, and Kevin He.
Both teams are coming into today with a 1-1 record this week for their third contest in just 4 days. The IceDogs came in still 16 points back of the Sudbury Wolves for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. After last nights 6-4 win, Erie sits just 6 points behind the Kitchener Rangers for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
The IceDogs would call up William Stewart, Gabriel Runco and Andrew Vermeulen from the Brantford 99ers to fill in while AP goaltender, Charlie Burns will get his second career OHL start between the pipes today on his 17th birthday. Their scratch list for the contest included Landon Cato, Gerard Keane, Anthony Agostinelli, Juan Copeland, Andrew Wycisk, and Owen Flores.
1st Period
Just over 5 minutes into the opening period, Erie forward, Malcolm Spence would take a high-sticking penalty and give the IceDogs the first man-advantage of the afternoon. With a multiple chances infront and a scramble for the puck, Mike Podolioukh would break it free for Bronson Ride who set up Andrew LeBlanc waiting on the door step to net his 7th of the season.
At the mid-way point of the period, David Jesus would get a 2 minute slashing penalty and on the same call Declan Waddick was sent to the box for an unsportsmanlike conduct. This would allow the Otters a full two-minute man-advantage. Just 12 seconds into the IceDogs PK, Liam Gilmartin would put Erie on the board and tie the game 1-1. With Jesus coming out of the box, the IceDogs would kill off the remaining 5-on-4.
After 20 minutes of play, shots were 12-7 in favour of the IceDogs.
2nd Period
The Otters would start the period with a powerplay at just 1:07 in as Ribau gets called for a hook but possibly saves a scoring chance on the breaking in Otters forward. The penalty was successfully killed off thanks to IceDogs rookie goaltender, Charlie Burns standing tall on the backend.
Five minutes into the middle frame Kaleb Smith put the Otters up front with a quick release from the slot. Just over 4 minutes later, Otters defender, Artyom Kulakov point shot found the back of the net courtesy of a Sam Alfano screen infront. Alex Assadourian would be sent to the penalty-box for cross checking at 10:32 to allow the Otters powerplay unit and Liam Gilmartin to go up 4-1 just 7 seconds into their man advantage.
The IceDogs best chance came 15 minutes into the period with Kevin He breaking down the left wing with a hard shot to rebound infront for Assadourian to tap it towards the goal but ultimately denied with a diving glove save by Otters netminder, Nolan Lalonde. Shots after the middle period favoured the home team 30-21.
3rd Period
Two goals within the first 5 minutes of the final frame from Sedore and Spence put the Otters up by 5. A cross checking call on David Jesus would give Erie their 6th man advantage but Niagara successfully killed it off with another great effort by Burns.
With three cross checking calls in a row against the IceDogs, Erie was due for their own as Kulakov took a seat for 2 minutes to give Niagara their second powerplay of the night. On the man-advantage, Assadourian sent Michaud over the line to send a wrist-shot towards the net for Declan Waddick to pick up the rebound and send it upstairs to keep the IceDogs powerplay 100% on the night. Michaud's assist would mark his 8th point in the last 4 games for the IceDogs, despite a 1-4 record in that time.
The Otters would take this game 6-2 with the shots at 40-31 for the home team. Niagara will be back in action Thursday in Peterborough, Friday in Hamilton, and back at home Saturday to take on the Kitchener Rangers.
Goal Scorers
First Period
A. LeBlanc (7) (NIAG) A: B. Ride, M. Podolioukh - 7:24
L. Gilmartin (9) (ER) A: S. Sova, E. Cohen - 10:44
Second Period
K. Smith (6) (ER) A: B. McDonald, C. Morton - 5:11
A. Kulakov (2) (ER) A: N. Sedore, S. Alfano - 9:39
L. Gilmartin (10) (ER) A: E. Cohen, S. Sova - 10:32
Third Period
N. Sedore (12) (ER) A: P. Fimis, A. Daviault - 2:37
M. Spence (10) (ER) A; L. Gilmartin, C. Saganiuk - 4:55
D. Waddick (15) (NIAG) A: D. Michaud, A. Assadourian - 13:00
Ontario Hockey League Stories from January 29, 2023
- Spirit Fall to Colts on Sunday Night - Saginaw Spirit
- Hayes Scores Two against Former Team as Petes Fall to Bulldogs 7-4 - Peterborough Petes
- Dogs Fall to Otters in Erie - Niagara IceDogs
- Panwar's 5 Points Lead Bulldogs to Incredible Comeback Win - Brantford Bulldogs
- Spitfires Rout Soo 9-4 - Windsor Spitfires
- Otters Strike for Six, Lalonde Stops 29 in 6-2 Victory - Erie Otters
- Firebirds Hosting National Women in Sports Night Friday - Flint Firebirds
- Battalion Notes January 29 - North Bay Battalion
- Saginaw Hosts Barrie - Saginaw Spirit
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