IceDogs Unable to Withstand Owen Sound's Offensive Attack
Published on January 11, 2023 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Niagara IceDogs News Release
ST. CATHARINES, ON - Coming off 3 games in 3 nights last week, the IceDogs were on home ice for a rare Wednesday evening matchup welcoming in the Owen Sound Attack for their one and only visit to the Meridian Centre this season. Niagara's only home game for the week, before going on the road to Mississauga and Peterborough.
The IceDogs were busy on Trade Deadline Day, which meant that there were some changes to the gameday lineup. Forward Nolan Dann was moved to the Flint Firebirds, while Niagara acquired Alex Assadourian from the Sudbury Wolves, who would make his IceDogs debut on this night.
AP call-up defenseman Gabriel Runco would also be in the lineup due to Niagara being without Landon Cato, Gerard Keane, and Andrew Wycisk on the backend.
Niagara came into the contest 9 points out of the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Owen Sound entered the game 6th place in the Western Conference, led by projected 1st round prospect for the upcoming NHL Draft: Colby Barlow as well as Cedrick Guindon (MTL), Servac Petrovsky (MIN), and Kaleb Lawrence (LAK).
Earlier in the day, veterans Gerard Keane and Daniel Michaud were named new Alternate Captains, adding to the leadership group already consisting of Nathan Ribau (A) and Landon Cato (C).
Two former IceDogs would make their return to Niagara as forward Matthew Papais and assistant coach Sean Teakle would both be back as part of the visitors from Owen Sound.
1st Period
Just over a minute into the contest, a bad break for the IceDogs as a bouncing puck around Flores' crease was tapped in by Ethan Burroughs to give the visitors from Owen Sound an early lead. Just before the mid period break, Burroughs would pick up the rebound shot and pot in his 2nd goal of the night.
2nd Period
The IceDogs would get an early two on one opportunity early in the middle period as Michaud and Lavoie came in on goal, with the newly named assistant captain keeping the puck and firing it glove side on Chenard that was stopped.
Niagara would draw a pair of early powerplay opportunities with a chance to get on the board but could not muster much other than a Michaud swipe beside the net that just went wide. The IceDogs would, however, get on the board shortly after as Juan Copeland would tip in his 8th goal of the season off a point shot from Ryan VanNetten.
With under seven minutes remaining in the period the gloves would drop between Landen Hookey and IceDogs recent newcomer Christopher O'Flaherty, trying to give his team and the home crowd a spark.
The IceDogs would receive a bench minor for too many men on the ice, giving the visitors a late powerplay opportunity to extend the lead going into the break. As the penalty expired, as point shot from Seed was tipped in by LA Kings prospect Kaleb Lawrence, which Owen Flores was not able to find.
The play would go to review for a possible high stick but the call was upheld, extending the Attack lead to multiple goals going in to the 2nd intermission. Shots after the middle period would favour the visitors by a total of 27-17.
3rd Period
Owen Sound would get on the board early on in the final period as the talented Colby Barlow would redirect the Nolan Seed pass past Owen Flores and takes a hard hit off the goal post as a reward to extend the visitors lead to three goals.
Teams would skate four on four after matching roughing minors were handed out to Lawrence and Michaud following a scrum behind the net. Bronson Ride would get a good chance for the home side, but the former Windsor Spitfire would ring a wrister off the post, keeping the game at 4-1.
Just before the midperiod break it would be Montreal Canadiens prospect Cedrick Guindon accepting the pass from Petrovski, who went backhand on Flores to extend the Attack's advantage to four goals. Nathan Ribau would go to the penalty box for Niagara due to a hooking call but the IceDogs were able to avoid any further damage thanks to a few glove saves from Owen Flores.
Thomas Chafe would be called for holding, giving the IceDogs their third man advantage of the evening but they could not muster anything with the opportunity. Steen would shoot the puck over the boards giving Niagara a powerplay to close out the game. Niagara's powerplay would remain 20th overall after an 0-4 night. Their penalty kill, however, continued to be a bright spot as they held Owen Sound off the board during their two man advantages on the night; which would be six straight times shorthanded without giving up a goal to the opposition. Final shots were 42-24 in favour of the visitors, leading to their 5-1 victory.
3,284 would be the attendance at the Meridian Centre for a rare Wednesday Night matchup. Niagara will be off tomorrow before going on the road to Mississauga on Friday Night
Goal Scorers
First Period
E. Burroughs (OS) A: C. Guindon, S. Petrovsky - 1:19
E. Burroughs (OS) A: C. Guindon, S. Sedley - 8:43
Second Period
J. Copeland (NIAG) A: R. VanNetten - 8:17
K. Lawrence (OS) A: N. Seed, L. Hookey - 19:27
Third Period
C. Barlow (OS) A: N. Seed, D. Goure - 1:23
Ontario Hockey League Stories from January 11, 2023
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