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!