IceDogs Outnumber 67's 4-3
January 2, 2016 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Niagara IceDogs News Release
The Niagara IceDogs won a hard fought battle Saturday night, defeating the visiting Ottawa 67's by a score of 4-3.
Niagara looked to come out strong, and have a big response after losing to Kitchener 5-2 in their last game. The IceDogs had to respond to some early adversity as they played a majority of the first period on the penalty kill. They got down to an early 2-0 deficit in the first but managed to kill off one of four first period penalties, including part of a four minute double minor. The shots on goal after twenty minutes were 15-5 in Ottawa's favour.
The second period saw the 67's score early to push their lead to three goals. It was then that the IceDogs started to gain some momentum back in their favour, as they pushed to get on the board. Ryan Mantha unleashed a perfectly placed slapshot past 67's goaltender Liam Herbst to bring the home team back within two. Jordan Maletta would then tip home a shot from Mantha to bring the IceDogs within one, while putting some much needed spirit back into the building. The shots on goal in the second period favoured Ottawa by a count of 11-9.
The momentum that the IceDogs gained in the second would carry over into the third period as they pushed hard to get the tying goal while dominating the Ottawa zone. They kept pushing all period and it would finally pay off on the powerplay. when Jordan Maletta potted his second of the game and team leading 20th of the season, finishing off a pretty passing play with Graham Knott and Vince Dunn. The buildings energy after the tying goal would only give the IceDogs more momentum, opening the door for some late game heroics. William Lochead would net his first career OHL goal in the dying minutes of the game to complete the comeback. Lochead was noticeably one of the team's hardest workers all game and it payed off when he fought hard to jam home the game winning goal on a rebound. The IceDogs outshot Ottawa 13-3 in the frame, and the total shots for the game were 29-27 for Ottawa.
William Lochead, Jordan Maletta, and Ryan Mantha took home the game's three stars, all contributing in major ways to the comeback win. The win was in front of a second straight sellout crowd of 5300 at the Meridian Centre.
The IceDogs will now head on a three week long road trip, starting in Hamilton on Wednesday, January 6th. They will return home on January 21st to battle with the Owen Sound Attack. Tickets are still available for this game and all other IceDogs' home games, and can be purchased at all IceDogs' ticketing locations.
Ontario Hockey League Stories from January 2, 2016
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- Attack Fall to Generals on Saturday Night - Owen Sound Attack
- IceDogs Outnumber 67's 4-3 - Niagara IceDogs
- Spirit Dog Hounds in 4-3 Overtime Win - Saginaw Spirit
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- Otters edge out Bulldogs 2-1 - Erie Otters
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