IceDogs Defeated 6-3 by Majors
January 23, 2011 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Niagara IceDogs News Release
The Niagara IceDogs were edged 6-3 in a hard-fought battle against the league's first-place Mississauga Majors in front of a sold-out crowd at the Gatorade Garden City Complex Sunday afternoon.
The IceDogs set the tone early with two quick goals in the first 65 seconds of play.
Andrew Agozzino continued his hot-streak with a beautiful breakaway goal while the two teams were playing four-on-four hockey after Joseph Cramarossa and Steven Shipley went off for coincidental roughing minors.
Alex Friesen then followed up with his 22nd goal of the season just 20 seconds later with Agozzino notching the assist to make it 2-0 for the home-team.
World Junior gold medalist Maxim Kitsyn then took a minor penalty for interference at the 3:23 mark, and Freddie Hamilton gave the 'Dogs a 3-0 lead as he tipped in an Alex Friesen shot from the point.
Both Friesen and Hamilton have scored goals in all three games this weekend, while Agozzino has potted two in the last two.
A familiar face got the Majors back in the game at the 9:28 mark of the first - former IceDog Chris DeSousa beat Dalton McGrath for his second goal in two games this weekend against Niagara, giving the game a 3-1 score.
Mississauga's leading scorer Justin Shugg, a Niagara Falls native, followed DeSousa's marker with a goal of his own about a minute and a half later to continue the fast-paced trend of the period and bring the Majors within one goal.
Both teams killed off penalties throughout the remainder of the first, and the score would remain at a 3-2 Niagara lead going into the intermission. Shots were 17-7 in favour of Mississauga.
The Majors continued to press in the second period, and eventually were awarded with a tying goal from Devante Smith-Pelly at the 11:06 mark, giving the game a score of 3-3 after 40 minutes.
Mississauga came out hard in the third period, mimicking the start the IceDogs had in the first period as Devante Smith-Pelly completed a natural hat-trick with two quick goals under ten seconds apart; the first came just 43 seconds into the period, and the Majors took their first lead of the game - 5-3.
Tempers began to flare in the latter half of the third and Majors captain Casey Cizikas dropped the mitts with an unlikely opponent, Freddie Hamilton. Hamilton held his own and out-muscled Cizikas, landing a couple shots and getting the take down.
Unfortunately, after the fight Mississauga was able to convert for their sixth goal of the game from Riley Brace.
The Majors would take a 6-3 victory over the IceDogs to cap off the home-and-home weekend.
The IceDogs will kick-off next weekend's schedule at home on Thursday, Jan. 27 as they host former IceDogs' assistant captain Dylan MacEachern and the London Knights at 7 p.m.
Tickets for this and all other IceDogs home games are still available and can be purchased at any IceDogs ticketing location throughout the Niagara Region. For more information, please contact the IceDogs office at 905-687-DOG1. Office hours are Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Ontario Hockey League Stories from January 23, 2011
- Rangers Blank Greyhounds 5-0 - Kitchener Rangers
- Wolves on a Roll - Sudbury Wolves
- Smith-Pelly Hat Trick Buries the IceDogs - Mississauga St. Michael's Majors
- Inaugural Hockey Day in Rangers Nation Delights Kids - Kitchener Rangers
- Spirit Close out Weekend with 7-3 Loss to Frontenacs - Saginaw Spirit
- IceDogs Defeated 6-3 by Majors - Niagara IceDogs
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