IceDogs Drop Heartbreaking Game 5 to End OHL Playoffs Run
April 12, 2018 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Niagara IceDogs News Release
Our Eastern Conference Semi-Final series against the Bulldogs continued tonight in Hamilton!
Despite disappointing overtime losses in the first and second games of this series, the boys came back with an exciting Game 3 overtime win! Kirill Maksimov played hero, showing that third time is a charm in OT, for us. After falling last night despite carrying much of the play, the IceDogs find themselves fighting to keep their playoffs going. In a do or die game, the IceDogs needed to put their best foot forward. As had been the case in this series, the team to score first had taken home the win, so one of the good 'Dogs' keys to the game was to get the first goal.
Despite holding their own in the opening 20, the Bulldogs came out with the lead. To end the first, the 'Dogs held all the momentum, breaking down the Hamilton defensive systems, but they just couldn't beat Fulcher.
The IceDogs came out with their best period of the series, firing everything they had on net. Posting 15 shots that period, the only thing that kept them away from a tied game was a post after an Elijah Roberts blast from the blueline beat the defense and goaltender. Stephen Dhillon came up big stopping all 9 Bulldogs shots. The Bulldogs extended their lead to 3 quickly in the second half of the 3rd period. Just a minute after The Bulldogs took the 3-0 lead, Johnny Corneil potted his first of the post season to cut the Bulldogs' lead to 2. Matthew Philip picked up the assist, doing a lot of the work to make Johnny's final goal in an IceDogs' uniform happen. Ben Jones cut the Bulldogs' lead down to one with just over 2 minutes. Jonesy's 10th goal against the Bulldogs was assisted by Kirill Maksimov and Sam Miletic. The Bulldogs added an empty net goal.
Tonight was the end of the road for our IceDogs, but they didn't go down without a strong fight. We'd like to congratulate our OA players, Sam Miletic, Johnny Corneil and Adrian Carbonara the best in their future plans.
Thank you to the IceDogs fans who have supported us all season. It was a wild ride and we can't wait to see you all next season!
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