Niagara Doubles Up Sting 4-2 in World Juniors Return
January 7, 2012 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Niagara IceDogs News Release
All four of the Canadian World Junior players returned on Saturday night, and each contributed in a 4-2 win over the Sarnia Sting.
The game started with Mark Visentin, Ryan Strome, Dougie Hamilton and Freddie Hamilton being honoured at centre ice for their bronze medal with Canada at the 2012 World Junior Championship. The sold out crowd at the Gatorade Garden City Complex gave the four players a well-deserved standing ovation.
In the first, both teams traded scoring chances, but both goaltenders, were strong in the early going. Niagara would break the deadlock on an Alex Friesen powerplay goal at 17:14. Ryan Strome, in his first game since returing from the Wolrd Juniors and captain Andrew Agozzino collected the assists.
The second period produced more scoring, as both teams combined for four goals in the middle frame. Sarnia would open the scoring just over a minute in, tying the game on a goal by newly acquired Ryan Spooner.
Niagara would retake the lead on a Tom Kuhnhackl powerplay goal, his second in as many games. Strome and Dougie Hamilton both recording assists on the play.
Strome would pick up a goal of his own minutes later to give the IceDogs a 3-1 lead. World Junior teammate Freddie Hamilton and Tom Kuhnhackl assisted on the IceDogs third goal.
Sarnia added a powerplay goal to cap off the scoring in the period and send the game into the intermission with a 3-2 score. Visentin made 14 saves in the period.
Steven Shipley would score the lone goal of the third period, extending the IceDogs lead to 4-2. After the goal, Niagara defenceman Dougie Hamilton and Sarnia forward Craig Hottot dropped the gloves, both throwing haymakers. After the fight, Hottot was left bloodied, while Hamiltoin received an instigator penalty and a ten-minute misconduct, ending his night.
While on the penalty kill, Friesen was called for delay of game, after shooting the puck over the glass, and put Niagara two men down. The team successfully killed off both penalties and held on for the 4-2 win. Visentin made a total of 35 saves to earn his 12th win of the season.
The Niagara IceDogs next home game is Thursday, January 12th when they host Canadian World Juniors Mark Scheifele and Tanner Pearson. Tickets can be purchased at the Niagara IceDogs office, the customer service desks at the Pen Centre and Seaway Mall, or online at www.ticketmaster.ca.
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