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Majors Close out Their Road Schedule with Comeback Victory

March 17, 2011 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Mississauga St. Michael's Majors News Release


St. Catharines, ON - The Majors faced the Niagara IceDogs tonight in St. Catharines in the final road game of the regular season for the double blue. The Majors came out on top with a 2-1 victory, pushing their regular season record against the IceDogs to 7-1-0-0.

Both teams came out firing in the first period with plenty of scoring chances. The Majors managed to get 11 shots on IceDogs backup goaltender Dalton McGrath, who was starting in place of Mark Visentin, while the IceDogs got 14 shots on JP Anderson. Both goaltenders were forced to make some tough saves in the first period and both did so. One goal was scored in the first by the IceDogs as Niagara took advantage of a Majors penalty. The goal came on the first powerplay opportunity of the game when Marc Cantin took a hooking penalty at 7:13. The IceDogs converted less then a minute in when Darren Archibald scored his 40th goal of the season to make it 1-0 IceDogs. Steven Shipley and Simon Gronvaldt had the assists. While the Majors gave Niagara two more powerplay opportunities in the first period, the IceDogs could not convert, and the first period ended with Niagara ahead 1-0.

The second period was a different story. Niagara took the only two penalties of the period, giving the Majors powerplay opportunities at 2:34 and 19:05. The Majors put all kinds of pressure on the IceDogs throughout the period, firing 22 shots on net while the IceDogs recorded just three shots on goal. Dalton McGrath continued to be the story of the game though as he kept the Majors off the board, increasing his save total to 33 through just two periods of play. The score remained 1-0 Niagara after the second.

The Majors refused to be beaten as they took advantage of powerplay opportunities, and finally solved McGrath in the third period. The first goal came on the man advantage, after Victor Terreri took a boarding penalty at 9:32. At 10:53, Rob Flick carried the puck into the Niagara zone, winning a one on one battle with the Niagara defenseman and shoveling the puck over to Jordan Mayer. Mayer then beat McGrath glove side, to tie the game 1-1. After the goal, the IceDogs took an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and the Majors took advantage again. This time, Justin Shugg threw the puck on net and at 12:00, Devante Smith-Pelly jammed the rebound past McGrath to give the Majors the lead. The goal came just 1:07 after the first Majors goal. The Majors gave Niagara a five on three opportunity late but the IceDogs could not convert on their powerplay, and the Majors held on for the 2-1 victory. Shots on goal in the third period were 12-8 in favour of Niagara.

JP Anderson was in net for the Majors and made 28 saves on 29 shots for the victory. Dalton McGrath made 39 saves, including 22 in the second period, taking the loss for Niagara. The games three stars were Cantin (3rd), Archibald (2nd) and McGrath (1st).

The Majors return home tomorrow to face the Brampton Battalion at 7:30 PM for Pizza Pizza Night at the Hershey Centre. Tickets are available at the Hershey Centre box office, by visiting ticketmaster.ca or by calling 905-502-7788 x. 1. The Majors then wrap up their regular season schedule on Sunday when they host the Barrie Colts for Tim Hortons Fan Appreciation Day. Major's players will be available for an autograph signing following the game.

MasterCard Memorial Cup ticket packages are also still available for as little as $495.00 plus applicable taxes and fees. Packages can be purchased by calling 905-502.7788 x. 1 or fans can order online at ticketmaster.ca.

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