OHL Niagara IceDogs

Jenkins Notches First Career OHL Goal in Niagara's 8-4 Win Over Kingston

March 19, 2011 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Niagara IceDogs News Release


Billy Jenkins scored his first career OHL goal in the final game of the regular season as the Niagara IceDogs defeated the Kingston Frontenacs by a score of 8-4 in front of a sold-out crowd at the Gatorade Garden City Complex Saturday night.

Freddie Hamilton and Ryan Strome led the way for the 'Dogs with four points each, while Pacan, Wilson, Agozzino and Archibald also had multi-point games in the victory.

David Pacan opened the scoring at the 7:49 mark by jamming in his own rebound to give the 'Dogs an early 1-0 lead. Andrew Agozzino and Jesse Graham notched the assists on the play.

Shortly after the goal, IceDogs defenseman Simon Gronvaldt received a minor penalty for hooking at the 8:39 mark. Not to worry though as Darren Archibald gave a solid effort while shorthanded to strip the puck from Fronts defender Erik Gudbranson before proceeding to exit the zone on a breakaway where he made no mistake in sniping a shot post-to-post and in to give the 'Dogs a 2-0 lead.

Kingston then took a minor penalty of their own moments later, and Steven Shipley made it 3-0 by blasting a one-timer past Fronts goalie Franky Palazzese, while Pacan and Archibald both recorded their second points of the game by picking up the assists.

The IceDogs took their 3-0 lead into the first intermission, leading the shot clock 16-7.

Niagara struck first in the second period as Freddie Hamilton chipped away at a loose puck in front of the Kingston net to pick up his 37th tally of the season, giving the 'Dogs a 4-0 lead. Ryan Strome added the helper for his 70th assist of the season.

The Fronts did however finally get on the board at the 4:48 mark of the second as Dylan Staples beat Visentin to cut the IceDogs lead to 4-1.

The 'Dogs didn't let up offensively though as Freddie Hamilton let a shot go from just inside the circle that deflected of Jason Wilson, who was given credit for the goal while Strome grabbed his second assist of the game on the play.

After his goal, Jason Wilson continued his physical play by laying a huge hit on a Kingston player which led to Erik Gudbranson instigating a fight with him at centre ice. The two each landed a couple short shots, but it was mostly a strength battle and it didn't take long for the linesmen to intervene.

Wilson received five for fighting and a two minute checking from behind penalty, while Gudbranson was handed an instigator, a fighting major and a ten minute misconduct.

The second period action didn't end there as Freddie Hamilton got credit for his second goal of the game as a Ryan Strome shot rebounded off Palazzese, bounced off Hamilton and into the net with just 45 second left, giving the IceDogs a 6-1 lead after 40 minutes of play.

At the 5:37 mark of the third period, IceDogs rookie Billy Jenkins scored his first career OHL goal with the help of Ryan Strome to make it 7-1 IceDogs. Jenkins has played some solid hockey for the 'Dogs in his first OHL season, and what perfect timing to get his first career goal in the last game of the regular season.

Kingston did answer back shortly after as Mitch Lebar scored an unassisted goal after creating a turnover in the IceDogs zone to make it 7-2.

Ryan Spooner followed up with his 35th of the year to make it 7-3, but Andrew Agozzino answered back with his 43rd to regain the five goal cushion.

The Fronts managed to get one more by Mark Visentin, but obviously the effort was too little too late and the IceDogs ended their regular season with an 8-4 win, giving them a record of 45-17-2-4.

The IceDogs will return to action on Thursday, Mar. 24 at 7 p.m. against a yet to be determined first round playoff opponent.

Tickets for all playoff games are still available and can be purchased at any IceDogs ticketing location. For more information, please contact the IceDogs office at 905-687-DOG1.

Check out the Niagara IceDogs Statistics



Ontario Hockey League Stories from March 19, 2011


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