OHL Niagara IceDogs

IceDogs Home Opener Ends in Disappointment

Published on September 29, 2011 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Niagara IceDogs News Release


With stalwart center Alex Friesen at the AHL's Chicago Wolves training camp and last year's team-leading scorer Ryan Strome at the New York Islanders' training camp, the IceDogs were facing a tall mountain to climb against their adversaries, the Mississauga St. Michael's Majors, in their first home game of the season. The bad blood between the two teams was evident early on; a fight just over two minutes into the first period showed IceDogs Johnson Andrews landing four punches on Majors Jamie Wise with no retaliation from the fourth-year left wing.

Despite their perfect record on the season thus far, the Majors, who are 2-0, did not show offensive prowess early on; 10 minutes into the first period, the IceDogs were leading Mississauga in shots 7-2. While the shots were there for Niagara, goals were not as easy to come by. The IceDogs finally made it on the board after Joel Wigle's first goal of the season, scored on a pass from Myles Doan in front of the net. The first period ended with the IceDogs leading the Majors in shots 13-8 but with Mississauga ahead in Niagara 4-1.

The second period opened with a quick Mississauga goal but an even quicker answer by the IceDogs; David Pacan's first goal of the season made the score 5-2 Majors. Niagara's offense continued to generate opportunities, leading to Wigle's second goal of the game off a feed from Andrews.

Mark Visentin's play improved significantly in the second period and was put on display 15 minutes into the period, when he performed an awesome kick save on a breakaway by Majors' Jamie Wise during an IceDogs power play and again two minutes later on a second shorthanded breakaway by Wise. Niagara ended the second period leading the Majors in shots 25-16 but were behind in goals, the score 5-3.

Any optimism the IceDogs may have garnered off of Visentin's play was dashed in the first half of the third period. Bad penalties plagued Niagara and an unassisted goal from Majors' center Jordan Mayer increased Mississauga's lead to three with 13:12 left in the period. However, a Freddie Hamilton pass from the Majors' near corner found Steven Shipley alone in front of the net, making the score 6-4 Majors 13:50 into the third. The IceDogs weren't able to add on to any momentum the goal provided them, despite recording several chances.

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from September 29, 2011


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