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OHL Brampton Steelheads

Steelheads Pick up Point, IceDogs Win Round 1

March 14, 2014 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Brampton Steelheads News Release


MISSISSAUGA, ON -- Not a lot has to be said about how close the Eastern Conference Playoff Race is, or how crucial every remaining game is. With both teams essentially in playoff mode, the Mississauga Steelheads and Niagara IceDogs in the first leg of a huge home-and-home on Thursday night in Niagara. Like their first meeting this season, this "instant classic" had everything, unfortunately this time it ended with Niagara on the winning side.

After a delayed start to honour the St. Catharines Fincups, the IceDogs came out shooting, peppering Spencer Martin early in the game. Martin stood tall however, making a number of big saves, before Bryson Cianfrone answered with the Steelheads' first chance. Unfortunately, Mississauga was unable to sustain any offense, giving Niagara a 13-1 lead on the shots. Still, the Steelheads would not quit, as Sam Babintsev opened the scoring with a tip-in in front of the net. Greg DiTomaso and Lucas Venuto picked up assists on Babintsev's tenth goal of the season. The Steelheads would find themselves with a number of opportunities as they ended the period on a four minute powerplay after Carter Verhaeghe sat for a high-sticking double minor on Stefan LeBlanc. The Steelheads would be unable to capitalize, however headed to the first intermission up 1-0, despite trailing 16-12 on shots.

Mississauga would start the period with time remaining on the first period-ending power play, and found themselves with a great chance as the time expired, however Brent Moran came up big for the IceDogs. Niagara would head to their first powerplay of the game just a minute into the first period, however a hard-working penalty kill unit and some timely goaltending by Martin kept the IceDogs' 5th-ranked power play off the board. The Steelheads found themselves with another situation to capitalize, as Verhaeghe received a five-minute major and game misconduct for a crosscheck to Andrew Goldberg. Despite failing to take advantage of the major infraction, Babintsev would score his second of the game following the odd-man situation with a slick backhand goal after walking out of the corner. Venuto and Jared Walsh picked up assists on the goal at 9:34 of the period. After a fight that saw Brandon Belding and Aaron Haydon sit for five minutes, Nick Zottl joined Belding in the box after taking a crosschecking penalty, however the Steelheads were once again up to the task. Ben Hughes would take a goaltender interference penalty following a Steelheads penalty kill, and the other side of Mississauga's special teams would shine as Babintsev completed the natural hat-trick with Venuto picking up his third assist of the game. Tempers would being to flare between the rivals following Mississauga's third goal, as seven more infractions would be called in the final five minutes of the period. Once again, despite trailing on shots, Mississauga headed into the intermission with a lead, this time 3-0.

The IceDogs looked for a big start to the period with a power play carrying over from the second, however Mississauga was successful in killing the infraction, before receiving a power play of their own. Niagara would finally find life at the eight minute mark of the period, as Eric Ming supplied the power play unit with a goal. Brett Foy would answer two minutes later, but two Niagara goals in nine seconds would bring the IceDogs within one goal with seven and a half minutes to play. Unshaken, Spencer Martin continued to stand tall between the pipes, even with great pressure from the IceDogs. Niagara would finally tie the game with Ming's hat-trick marker at 19:19 of the third period. With lots of pressure to end the game, Brett Foy would come up big with a last second block to send the game to overtime.

With a power play early in the overtime period, Mississauga saw a number of great chances with the closest call coming as time expired -- unfortunately for Mississauga, no goal was called, sending the game to a shootout.

After no goals in the first round, Lucas Venuto would score to give the Steelheads a second round lead, however Billy Jenkins would tie it in round three. Andrew Goldberg and Graham Knott both notched markers in the fourth round, before Luke Mercer scored Niagara's third shootout goal. With the game on his stick, Captain Brett Foy made a great move to beat Blake Richard, however he could not solve the post, clinching the comeback for the Niagara Ice Dogs.

Spencer Martin made 39 saves in the loss, and Sam Babintsev was named second star of the game for his hat trick.

With Ottawa losing to the Barrie Colts in regulation, Mississauga's single point moved the Steelheads to 52 points on the season, bumping them into the eighth and final playoff spot. Niagara's win gives them 54 points, a two-point cushion in the seventh spot. Belleville's win last night moved them to 50 points, setting up an even tighter end to the season. All four teams are in action tomorrow with Ottawa visiting the third-place Kingston Frontenacs and Belleville visiting the Eastern Conference-leading Oshawa Generals. Of course, the second leg of the IceDogs-Steelheads home-and-home goes at the Hershey Centre with a 7:30 PM puck drop. Husqvarna presents the game, and Panera Bread will be on hand with some delicious samples for fans in attendance. Niagara will be sending a number of buses to the game, so we need your support Steelheads fans! Pack the pond and help our boys take one step closer to clinching a playoff berth!

Great seats are still available by logging on to Ticketmaster or visiting the Hershey Centre Box Office! We'll see you tomorrow Trout fans! 

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