IceDogs Defeat Majors 5-3 to Even Series 1-1
April 21, 2011 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Niagara IceDogs News Release
The Niagara IceDogs defeated the Mississauga Majors by a score of 5-3 to even the Rogers OHL Conference Championship series 1-1 in front of a sold-out crowd at the Gatorade Garden City Complex Thursday night.
Johnson Andrews set an early physical tone by dropping the gloves off of an offensive zone face off with Jamie Wise. The two both exchanged some haymakers - Andrews landing the better of the punches, knocking Wise's helmet off and taking him down to the ice.
The fight clearly created some momentum, not only on the bench but in the crowd as well, and the IceDogs opened the scoring at the approach of the midway mark of the first.
David Pacan beat JP Anderson five hole at the 8:27 mark with the help of Andrew Agozzino and Alex Friesen to give Niagara a much needed early 1-0 lead.
The IceDogs kept the play in the Majors end for the majority of the second half of the period, creating several scoring chances and finding a way to get to JP Anderson; something they struggled with in game one.
However, the Majors were able to put on some pressure in the final minute, and after a scramble in front of Mark Visentin, Riley Brace evened the score 1-1 with just 4.3 seconds left in the frame.
Shots on net after 20 minutes were 16-9 in favour of Mississauga.
The Majors opened the second period scoring as Jordan Mayer scored an unassisted goal from the left wing to give his team its first lead of the game.
IceDogs rookie defenseman Jesse Graham tied the game 2-2 with a nice wrist shot from the point just past the midway mark to notch his first career playoff goal.
The momentum carried on for Niagara and Jason Wilson potted his fifth of the playoffs with a nice deflection from the slot to make it 3-2 IceDogs.
The 'Dogs created some quality chances throughout the remainder of the third, but the score remained 3-2 IceDogs over Majors after 40 minutes.
Mississauga led the shot clock 25-19.
The first half of the third period went back and forth; both teams getting pucks to the net and both goaltenders making some key saves to keep the score close.
The 'Dogs did a great job pressing away and creating some momentum around the midway mark of the frame, leading to a disciplinary mistake and an IceDogs power play.
Freddie Hamilton came up with a huge marker with the man advantage to put the IceDogs up 4-2.
The Majors took a few minor penalties in the latter half of the third giving the 'Dogs a chance to increase the lead, but the Majors killed them off and gained some momentum of their own.
Coach Dave Cameron called a time out with 1:21 to go, and Rob Flick scored just moments later to cut the lead to 4-3.
However, with under a minute to go in the frame, Mississauga emptied their net in efforts to get the tying goal, but David Pacan put it into the yawning cage to give Niagara a 5-3 victory to even the series 1-1.
Game 3 will take place back in Mississauga this Saturday, Apr. 23 at 7 p.m. Fans are reminded to inquire about the bus trip this Saturday to come support your IceDogs in what will be a crucial Game 3 battle.
Ontario Hockey League Stories from April 21, 2011
- Kuhnhackl, Carny Lead Spits to Game 2 Win - Windsor Spitfires
- Majors Suffer First Defeat Of The Post Season - Mississauga St. Michael's Majors
- IceDogs Defeat Majors 5-3 to Even Series 1-1 - Niagara IceDogs
- OHL Eastern Conference Championships Lead to a Mayoral Challenge off the Ice - Mississauga St. Michael's Majors
- Florida Signs McFarland - Saginaw Spirit
- Petes' Jack Walchessen Named OHL Humanitarian of the Year - OHL
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