IceDogs Rein in the Colts

"Lets go IceDogs!" and "Come on boys!" These continuous chants and the unbelievably loud noise that accompanied them by the Niagara faithful demonstrated the importance of Sunday afternoon's battle with the Barrie Colts. The matchup had an intense feeling of desperation as the two points were critical for both teams and their playoff positioning. The IceDogs appeared ready for war in what was the most important game of their season to date.

The boys showed it by striking quickly just seconds into the game with a goal by forward Billy Jenkins. In the second period, Barrie tied it but neither the fans nor the players were fazed. Niagara immediately got back to business and absolutely rocked the Colts with a four goal counter attack to take a 5-1 lead! Thanks to a 46 save performance by goaltender Brent Moran and a solid effort by his teammates, Niagara sealed the deal and sent the fans home in a frenzy with a 5-2 victory.

The Niagara players showed the heart, determination and commitment they have to getting the club into the playoffs. When Barrie attempted to provoke a fight, the boys remained focused. When the IceDogs took a lead, they didn't sit back and relax, they kept taking the fight to their opponent. It was a hell of a performance and a well-deserved victory.

Kyle's Picks

Top Dog - Brent Moran for his 46 saves and the PK units for killing all nine penalties

 

Under Dog - Billy Jenkins for scoring the important first goal to set the tone of the game

 

Junkyard Dog - EACH Niagara IceDog player for playing a key role in the victory

This week I'll cover the game against the Mississauga Steelheads on Friday, March 14 at 7:30 p.m. This will not be a traditional home game however. I will be invading the Mississauga Steelheads' home arena, The Hershey Centre, with the rest of the Niagara faithful as part of the 7th Man Convoy. We will be packing several coach buses Friday evening and heading into enemy territory to cheer on the IceDogs and help them win a game that will clinch a 2014 playoff position. Niagara enters play in seventh place in the Eastern Conference.

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My prediction: A HUGE VICTORY for Niagara

 

Until next week,

Go Dogs Go! 

Mississauga (And Refs) Defeat IceDogs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Niagara and the Mississauga Steelheads clashed last Thursday for a pivotal matchup. Mississauga drew first blood and proceeded to smother Niagara with a relentless forecheck. Niagara got a few chances but just couldn’t finish. Forward Cody Caron, frustrated with the effort, dropped the gloves with Steelhead Damian Bourne to try and spark the boys. It was a vicious fight with both players throwing absolute bombs.

In the third period, the ‘Dogs came out fired up and evened the score less than a minute in on a Jordan Maletta goal, who returned to the game after suffering a brutal hit from behind that the referee somehow missed. Niagara fell behind again but appeared to tie it up thereafter. Unfortunately, the goal was denied because “the player forced the puck into the net”...the refereeing was horrible in this one folks.  The countless missed calls and this terribly vague ruling exemplified it.

Ultimately, Mississauga got the key two points. Niagara didn't play great but they were never out of the fight. With better officiating, they may have pulled off a win.

The image below shows exactly how the Niagara fans felt about the referees in this game

There was lots of booing...and lots of hand gestures...



 

Kyle’s Picks

Top Dog - Cody Caron for inspiring his teammates with that ruthless fight!

Under Dog – Defenseman Aleksandar Mikulovich for his good defensive and offensive play

Junkyard Dog – Jordan Maletta for scoring a critical goal, superb penalty killing and returning after suffering a terrible hit-from-behind.

This week I’ll cover the game against the Barrie Colts on Sunday, March 9 at 2:00 p.m. Niagara enters play in eighth place in the Eastern Conference.

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Prediction: A tough VICTORY for Niagara

Until next week,
Go Dogs Go!

IceDogs Overrun Battalion

Niagara entered competition with the North Bay Battalion Saturday night.  This matchup featured relentless fast paced action and COUNTLESS turnovers by IceDog players. 

With the Battalion receiving several scoring chances, Niagara goaltender Brent Moran stood tall and bailed his teammates out.

The boys then settled down and earned a couple powerplays. They capitalized with goals from sniper Brendan Perlini, playing just his second game since returning from injury.

North Bay reached the scoreboard in the second period but the IceDogs responded with two goals to take a 4-1 lead.  Frustration mounted on the Battalion bench and rookie defenseman Riley Bruce engaged Niagara rookie forward Hayden McCool in a fistfight.  Unfortunately for McCool, his much larger opponent earned a convincing win.

Kudos to Hayden for accepting the challenge, landing some punches and enduring some even bigger punches himself!

Niagara should have lost this game early but stellar goaltending and timely scoring allowed them to regroup, refocus and earn a tough win against a solid Eastern Conference opponent.

Kyle’s Picks

Top Dog - Winger Brendan Perlini for two goals (Game Winner) and three points.

Under Dog – Goaltender Brent Moran for his spectacular 53 save performance.

Junkyard Dog – Winger Eric Ming for his goal, solid forechecking and tough play on the boards.

This week I’ll cover the game against the Mississauga Steelheads on Thursday, February 27 at 7:00 p.m.  Niagara enters play in a tie for eighth place in the Eastern Conference.

My Prediction: A VICTORY for Niagara 

Until next week,
Go Dogs Go!

Wolves Stun IceDogs

The IceDogs welcomed the Sudbury Wolves back to The Jack for a Sunday afternoon rematch.  The matchup featured a Sudbury team clinging to second place and a Niagara team one point out of the eighth and final playoff spot. 

The hostility between the clubs revealed itself early in the form of a fistfight between Cody Caron and Nathan Cull.  Niagara drew first blood with a goal from rookie Matt Gillard.  The team added to their lead before the end of the first period with a goal from rookie Graham Knott. 

With Niagara carrying a 2-1 lead into the third period, the boys suffered a huge defensive collapse resulting in three Sudbury goals in just over a minute to take a 4-3 lead and silence the home fans.  The wolves added a fifth and final goal to seal the deal and send the Niagara faithful home in shock.

Overall, the ‘Dogs played a solid game and certainly had a chance to get the win but once again, their youth and inexperience proved costly.

Kyle’s Picks

Top Dog – Defenseman Vince Dunn for his nifty playmaking and defensive play.

Under Dog – Forward rookies Matt Gillard and Graham Knott for their goals.

Junkyard Dog – Forward Eric Ming for his checking, penalty killing and goal.

This week I’ll cover the game against the North Bay Battalion on Saturday, February 22 at 7:00 p.m.  Niagara enters play in ninth place in the Eastern Conference.








My Prediction: A DEFEAT of Niagara 

Until next week,
Go Dogs Go!

Wolves Feast on 'Dogs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Saturday night’s matchup saw the return of Captain Luke Mercer, who sought to lead the IceDogs to victory over the tough Sudbury Wolves.  The ‘Dogs began the game with a 1-0 lead on the powerplay but it would be the last time Niagara reached the scoreboard as Sudbury unleashed a relentless offensive attack resulting in an ugly 7-1 loss.

The intensity picked up midway through as emotions from both clubs boiled over culminating in a spirited tilt by Niagara’s Aaron Haydon and Sudbury’s Trevor Carrick.  It was an even bout but the edge went to Haydon for landing a stinging right hand from which Carrick would not recover.  Unfortunately for Niagara, this was the only battle they would win on a long, gruelling night.

The game was played on Pink in the Rink night, where the IceDogs wore pink gear to support women’s cancer research.  There were several fundraising initiatives held during the game including an auction of the IceDogs’ game worn jerseys in which all proceeds went to the Canadian Cancer Society.

 

Kyle’s Picks

Top Dog – Unfortunately, no IceDogs were MVP calibre in this one.

Under Dog – Jordan Maletta for his goal, blocking shots and aggressive play.

Junkyard Dog – Aaron Haydon for his emotional fistfight.

This week I’ll cover the IceDogs’ rematch against the Sudbury Wolves on Sunday, February 16 at 2:00 p.m.  Niagara enters play in ninth place in the Eastern Conference.

 

 

My Prediction:  A hard fought VICTORY for the Niagara IceDogs.

Until next week,
Go Dogs Go!

IceDogs and Rangers Shoot-out The Lights

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The struggling and injured IceDogs limped into their matchup with the Kitchener Rangers on Saturday night at The Jack.  With several key players still out of the lineup, the boys gave it a valiant effort right to the bitter end.

The game featured an exciting back and forth battle where the IceDogs took the lead three times.  With the score deadlocked at four and overtime solving nothing, a shootout was needed.  With each team only scoring one goal apiece, extra rounds were required.  Both goalies held their ground into the seventh round where the pesky Kitchener Rangers then scored the shootout winner to give the ‘Dogs their third loss in as many nights.

Special teams played an important role in the game as the young IceDogs took several penalties and Kitchener capitalized three times at key moments.  Overall, it was a solid effort by both teams and the decision could have gone either way.   

Kyle’s Picks

Top Dog – Centre Carter Verhaeghe for his offensive contribution with a hat-trick (three goals) and a shootout goal.

Under Dog – Centre Ben Hughes for his solid checking and scoring a goal.

Junkyard Dog – Centre Mitchell Fitzmorris earns his second Junkyard Dog award for his ferocious forechecking, shot blocking and offensive playmaking.

This week I’ll cover the IceDogs’ game against the Sudbury Wolves on Saturday, February 8 at 7:00 p.m.  Niagara enters play in eighth place in the Eastern Conference.

My Prediction:  A decisive DEFEAT of the Niagara IceDogs.

Until next week,

Go Dogs Go!

Doggonit! IceDogs Lose a Heartbreaker

The IceDogs entered action without several key players including sniper Brendan Perlini and Captain Luke Mercer. 

The boys had the lead in the third but Ottawa rallied late to stun Niagara 3-2.  It was a tight game and not as chippy as I expected given their volatile history.  It wasn’t the most exciting game but there were some great saves and a couple of nice goals.   

IceDog goaltender Blake Richard played a solid game considering his lack of OHL experience and the many times he was run-over by the opposition.  The ‘67s took several penalties that should have cost them the game but the young pups couldn’t capitalize going 2/8 on the powerplay.  Overall, I believe the ‘Dogs played well enough to win.

It was St. Catharines Blackhawks Heritage Night in the Jack.  35 former players were honoured before the game.  The IceDogs wore Blackhawk jerseys as tribute to the gentlemen.

Ceremonial Puck Drop
 

Kyle’s Picks 

Top Dog – Defenseman Aaron Haydon for his goal, aggressiveness, protection of teammates and solid defensive play both 5-on-5 and on the Penalty Kill (PK).

Under Dog – Rookie centre Hayden McCool for his goal and solid two-way play.

Junkyard Dog – Centre Mitchell Fitzmorris for some offensive chances, being hard on the forecheck and blocking shots.


This week, I’ll cover the IceDogs' game against the Kitchener Rangers on Saturday, February 1 at 7:00 p.m.  Niagara enters the contest in eighth place in the Eastern Conference.

 






My prediction: A close VICTORY for the IceDogs

Until next week,
Go Dogs Go!