IceDogs Advance to Eastern Conference Final With 7-3 Win Over Generals
Published on April 15, 2011 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Niagara IceDogs News Release
The Niagara IceDogs will advance to the Eastern Conference Final as they defeated the Oshawa Generals 7-3 to capture a 4-1 series victory in front of a sold-out crowd at the Gatorade Garden City Complex Friday night.
IceDogs alumni and current Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Luca Caputi was in attendance for Game 5 and performed the ceremonial puck drop at centre ice to kick things off.
The presence of the IceDogs record holder for most points in a single season must have had an impact on the current team as Darren Archibald opened the scoring just 40 seconds in, notching his 9th of the playoffs with the help of Dougie Hamilton and Steven Shipley.
Generals forward Andy Andreoff took a minor penalty shortly after, and Archibald put home his second of the game by blasting a wicked one-timer past Peter Di Silvo top shelf to make it 2-0 Niagara.
Right after that goal, Steven Shipley got his stick on a Mike Schwindt point shot, but the play was brought to review and determined the puck was deflected with a high-stick and it was ruled no goal.
Boone Jenner and Calvin de Haan took back-to-back penalties just past the five minute mark to give the âDogs a 5-on-3, but the Gens killed it off and the scored remained 2-0.
The penalty kill gave Oshawa some momentum and Josh Graves was able to sneak one past Mark Visentin to cut the lead to 2-1 with Nicklas Jensen and Calvin de Haan picking up the assists.
Steven Shipley didn't give up after having a disallowed goal and with some hard work in the Generals zone, he was able to pick the puck up in front of the Gens net from an akward bounce before wrapping it in to make it 3-1 Niagara at the midway mark of the first.
Ryan Strome then increased the lead to 4-1 by going five-hole on Di Salvo for his 6th of the playoffs with 5:24 left in the first.
The scoring frenzy continued late in the first as David Pacan blasted a shot from the point that made its way through traffic and into the net, giving the IceDogs a 5-1 lead.
However, the Generals managed to answer back with their second of the game coming from Christian Thomas to make it a 5-2 score.
Alain Berger took a checking from behind penalty during the final minute of the first as he leveled Archibald from behind, putting the IceDogs on the power play for the remainder of the period and to start the second.
Shots were 16-15 in favour of Oshawa after 20 minutes.
The Generals killed off the penalty and both teams seemed to hold each other at bay for the majority of the second period.
It wasn't until the 15:05 mark that Boone Jenner potted the first goal of the frame with the help of Berger to give the game a 5-3 score.
Jenner's goal would be the last bit of action in the second and the two teams skated into their dressing rooms with a 5-3 game after 40 minutes of play.
The third period began at a rather slow pace as both teams were playing a solid defensive game.
Ryan Strome took a penalty at the midway mark for spearing, earning him 4 minutes in the box, but the Generals then took two penalties to give the 'Dogs a 4-on-3 advantage.
Niagara immediately capitalized as Andrew Agozzino scored his 6th of the playoffs from Alex Friesen and Dougie Hamilton to make it a 6-3 game. Hamilton's assist was his third of the game.
David Pacan then followed up with his second of the game to give the 'Dogs a commanding 7-3 lead with just 4:53 to go in the game.
The IceDogs held on to their 7-3 lead to pick up the win and advance into the final against the Mississauga St. Michael's Majors.
Stay tuned for more information regarding the scheduling of the Eastern Conference Final round.
Ontario Hockey League Stories from April 15, 2011
- IceDogs Advance to Eastern Conference Final With 7-3 Win Over Generals - Niagara IceDogs
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