Gens Fall to First Place IceDogs
Published on February 13, 2012 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Oshawa Generals News Release
Oshawa, Ontario - It came down to the dying minutes, but the IceDogs beat the Generals Sunday night. A late third period goal by Brett Ritchie was the difference maker, Niagara winning 5-3 before a crowd of 4,472 at the General Motors Centre.
Christian Thomas and Andy Andreoff were a dynamic duo for Oshawa combining for 6 points on the night. Thomas was playing in his 200th game as a General while Andreoff was coming off his 200th career OHL point vs. Kingston. With Peterborough's loss Sunday, Oshawa holds on to 6th place in the Eastern Conference.
The two teams combined to ice 16 NHL draft picks.
Kevin Bailie made his 11th consecutive start in goal for Oshawa and stood tall making 12 saves in the opening frame.
After 1, the shots were 12-10 Niagara, with neither team making it onto the board.
The Generals struck twice in the second period, but penalty trouble helped Niagara get even and late in the frame, the IceDogs grabbed the lead.
Oshawa cracked the game open at 1:03 of the second when Thomas stepped in to his 26th of the season off a pass from Andreoff. Niagara's power play took away Oshawa's edge at 3:35.
Dougie Hamilton found Andrew Agozzino in the slot, and the IceDogs' captain notched the tying marker.
With the game tied at 1, Thomas and Andreoff reversed roles. Thomas found Andreoff who buried his 20th of the season, giving the Generals a 2-1 lead.
Once again, the IceDogs responded on the power play. Aggostino scored his second goal of the period ringing the puck off the post, the goaltender and in.
The IceDogs' first even strength goal came from Steven Shipley. Heading in to the third, the Generals faced their first deficit of the game, down 3-2.
In the third, Andreoff and Thomas connected for a third time at 7:01, tieing the game at 3.
The IceDogs reclaimed the lead at 17:22 thanks to Alex Friesen. Oshawa had a power play in the game's final minute and pulled Bailie for the extra attacker. Alas, the IceDogs hit the empty net with 9 seconds remaining sending Niagara home with a 5-3 win.
Andy Andreoff and Christian Thomas garnered the first and second star selections.
Thomas now leads the Generals with 27 goals on the season.
Oshawa is home this Friday February 17th to take on the division rival Bulls at the General Motors Centre. This head-to-head match up is critical to the playoff picture with just 2 points separating the 2 teams. Faceoff goes at 7:35 PM.
Ontario Hockey League Stories from February 13, 2012
- Attack's Cameron Brace Named OHL Player of the Week - OHL
- 2012 Playoff Tickets on Sale this Saturday - London Knights
- Bulls Unveil Spring Hockey Development Program - Belleville Bulls
- SGS and Windsor Spitfires Tyke Hockey Tournament to Benefit the Mickey Renaud Memorial Scholarship F - Windsor Spitfires
- Gens Fall to First Place IceDogs - Oshawa Generals
- IceDogs Top Generals 5-3, Retake Eastern Conference Lead - Niagara IceDogs
- IceDogs Shutout Colts 3-0, Extend Win Streak to Five - Niagara IceDogs
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