IceDogs Roll Over Otters to Snap Losing Streak
January 26, 2023 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Niagara IceDogs News Release
ST. CATHARINES, ON - The IceDogs began their week with a home ice matchup versus a geographical rival in the Erie Otters, the first of two matchups between the teams this week. Former IceDogs forward Pano Fimis would make his return to Niagara for the first time since being traded to Erie in early January for a haul of future draft picks.
The IceDogs entered Thursday Night's contest 16 points behind Sudbury for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference while the Otters entered the contest 8 points behind Soo for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. Andrew Vermeulen would get the AP callup from the Brantford 99ers as William Stewart would be sent back for the contest. Niagara's scratched players would include captain Landon Cato, Anthony Agostinelli, Juan Copeland, Andrew Wycisk, and Owen Flores.
As far as leading scorers head-to-head this season, Daniel Michaud entered the contest with 3 points in 2 games vs the Otters while Noah Sedore came in with 4 points in 3 games vs the IceDogs in 2022-23. San Jose Sharks prospect Liam Gilmartin would be in the lineup for Erie having recently returned from his 10-game suspension.
1st Period
IceDogs would begin the game earning a powerplay just over three minutes into the contest as Nathan Sauder would go off for interference but Niagara were not able to capitalize on the opportunity. No scoring up to the midperiod break as Chris O'Flaherty was robbed on the glove side by Kyle Downey just before the break.
Niagara would receive another man advantage with eight minutes remaining in the period as Sam Alfano went off for High Sticking. Former IceDog Pano Fimis would get a shorthanded breakaway during the powerplay but would be stopped trying to go high blocker on Josh Rosenzweig who was up to the task.
On the man advantage Bronson Ride would take the pass from Andrew LeBlanc and wrist one top shelf on Downey to give the IceDogs the lead with a powerplay marker. Zakary Lavoie would be called for a late period penalty for tripping which would send Niagara to their first penalty kill of the evening. The period would end with the shots on goal being 12-10 in favour of Erie but Niagara were leading 1-0 on the scoreboard.
2nd Period
To start the period Owain Johnston and Zakary Lavoie drop the mitts to start the 2nd Period. A response to the hit Lavoie put on Brett Bressette during the last meeting in Erie on New Year's Eve, which resulted in the Otters leading scorer now being out of the lineup.
On the next shift Daniel Michaud would skate the puck up the right side of the ice and thread a pass to Declan Waddick in front of the net who went to the backhand for the goal to extend the IceDogs lead. Niagara would get a powerplay opportunity as Pano Fimis would go off for hooking against his former squad. Niagara would not be able to capitalize on the man advantage after working it around well for much of the two minutes.
Alex Assadourian and Liam Gilmartin would be called for penalties on back-to-back shifts, putting the teams 4on4 for almost two minutes. Most of the period would be played with much intensity as both teams battled along the boards including Michael Podolioukh and Artyom Kulakov getting into a scrum beside the Erie net. Shots at the end of the middle period favoured the visitors by a 21-17 score but Niagara were up 2-0 on the scoreboard heading into the room.
3rd Period
Recent callup Andrew Vermeulen would enter the zone and get hit by Kulakov, welcoming him back up to the OHL. Both players would go off for offsetting roughing penalties and Daniel Michaud would capitalize during 4on4 play as a wrist shot beat Downey on the blocker side, extending the IceDogs lead to 3-0.
Recent acquisition Alex Assadourian would take the pass from Declan Waddick and fire a puck far side glove on Downey, extending the IceDogs lead to four goals just before the midperiod break. Following the midperiod break, Bruce McDonald would finally get the Otters on the board and breaking Josh Rosenzweig's bid for a shutout by going high glove on the IceDogs goaltender.
Andrew LeBlanc and Bruce McDonald would both go off for offsetting roughing penalties, which put the teams 4on4 once again. An odd-man rush for the Otters would result in Kevin He tripping up Pano Fimis, sending Erie to a 4on3 advantage. The Otters would call their timeout as a result to try and set up a play in a critical moment of the game.
On the advantage, Niagara would be bailed out by the goaltenders' best friend as two shots hit the goalpost during the shift. After escaping the powerplay unharmed, Alex Assadourian would find star rookie Kevin He for the redirection goal to extend the lead to four goals once again.
Niagara would be victorious 5-1 on this Thursday Night in front of 3,868 fans in attendance for the Rankin Cancer Run jersey auction, for what was their first win of the 2023 calendar. The will be back at home on Saturday Night when they welcome a Central Division rival in the North Bay Battalion.
Goal Scorers
First Period
NIAG B. Ride (3) A: #7 A. LeBlanc, J. LeBlanc - 13:28
Second Period
NIAG D. Waddick (14) A: D. Michaud, J. LeBlanc - 3:17
Third Period
NIAG D. Michaud (15) - 3RD 4:48
NIAG A. Assadourian (7) A: D. Waddick, D. Jesus - 9:47
ER B. McDonald (6) Assists: S. Sova - 10:24
NIAG K. He (12) A: A. Assadourian, Z. Lavoie - 15:25
Ontario Hockey League Stories from January 26, 2023
- Lombardi Tallies Three Points as Firebirds Defeat Bulldogs - Brantford Bulldogs
- Cranley Shuts the Door as Firebirds Defeat Bulldogs 5-1 - Flint Firebirds
- Miller Celebrates 2000th Career Game as Petes Shutout Knights 3-0 - Peterborough Petes
- Spitfires Fall to North Bay 5-3 - Windsor Spitfires
- IceDogs Roll Over Otters to Snap Losing Streak - Niagara IceDogs
- McDonald Grabs Sixth Career Goal in Loss at Niagara - Erie Otters
- January 26 Battalion Notes - North Bay Battalion
- Rangers Face Barrie on 27th Annual Don Cameron Potato Night Friday - Kitchener Rangers
- Firebirds Kick off Weekend Tonight in Hamilton - Flint Firebirds
- Decorated Coach Stan Butler to be Named Head Coach of the Erie Otters - Erie Otters
- Rangers' Brzustewicz, Rehkopf Lead Team White to 4-2 Victory in 2023 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game - Kitchener Rangers
- IceDogs Game Day Preview - Niagara IceDogs
- OHL Talent Powers Team White to 4-2 Victory in 2023 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game - OHL
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
