IceDogs make it six in a row
Ivan Lodnia has come as advertised.
The 19-year-old winger was picked up from the Erie Otters before the start of the season and has been a solid contributor for the Niagara IceDogs.
Lodnia netted a pair of goals to pace the IceDogs past the visiting Hamilton Bulldogs 4-3 in Ontario Hockey League action Thursday.
The win extends Niagara’s winning streak to six games. The IceDogs lead the Central Division by two points over the Sudbury Wolves, who have played one less game.
Lodnia now has 11 goals and 31 points in 28 games this season.
“His practice habits are really outstanding. He really raises the tempo in practice,” IceDogs coach Billy Burke said of Lodnia. “He’s a true pro in his day-to-day the way he works out and handles himself.
“He’s a great guy. He’s one of those guys I feel like he’s been here since he was 16. He fits in with everything the way we want.”
Lodnia, who skated on a line with Ben Jones and Kirill Maksimov, is more of a well-rounded forward than a true sniper.
“He’s a consistent 20-goal scorer,” Burke added. “He’s a reliable guy, a strong penalty killer and strong two-way guy. He has great speed, really good hands, who’s a very strong player with great pro habits who has a real shot to move up.”
Lodnia, who was picked up in a deal for St. Catharines native Danial Singer, has already signed a contract with the Minnesota Wild, who selected him in third round of the 2017 National Hockey League draft.
The teams exchanged quick goals out of the gate less than two minutes into the game before Niagara took a 3-1 lead on goals by Lodnia and Ben Jones. The IceDogs held a 17-9 edge in shots.
There was no scoring in the second period, although Hamilton had a two-man advantage for a full minute. Each team collected 12 shots on goal.
Things got interesting in the third period as the IceDogs extended their lead to 4-1 with an early goal from Philip Tomasino only to see the Bulldogs battle back with a pair to cut the lead to 4-3.
With the Bulldogs pressing for the equalizer, Niagara goaltender Stephen Dhillon made a game-saving stop with 30 seconds remaining.
“I think we had chances to extend in the second but a couple of pucks just missed and we hit a post and then it’s a two-goal game going into the third,” Burke said. “It never felt quite comfortable.”
Burke said there was no thought given to sitting on the lead.
“It you sit back too much it’s going to hurt you, if you push too much it’s going to hurt you,” he said. “It’s about being smart, trying to limit their rushes, and spending as little time as possible in our end.”
Niagara rookie defenceman Lleyton Moore (lower body) did not finish the game and is listed as day-to-day.
Ice cubes: Kyen Sopa (Team Switzerland) and Daniel Bukac (Team Czech) did not dress for the IceDogs as they are off to training camps for the World Junior Championship. Forward Jason Robertson leaves for USA camp Friday . . . Michael Renwick, Logan Morrison, Dylan D’Agostino and MacKenzie Entwistle were scratched for the Bulldogs . . . Tomasino was selected to the 2019 Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game Wednesday Jan. 23, 2019, at the ENMAX Centrium, home of the Western Hockey League’s Red Deer Rebels. The 40 competing players were chosen by NHL clubs and include talent from across the WHL, the Ontario Hockey League, and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League . . . Grimsby’s Brandon Saigeon collected an assist and now has 53 points in 32 games for Hamilton. The over-age winger has been rumoured to be on the trading block with Ottawa as a possible destination.
Stats Pack
IceDogs 4 Bulldogs 3
BPSN Star of the Game: Niagara winger Ivan Lodnia with a pair of goals.
Niagara IceDogs: Ivan Lodnia 2 (10,11); Ben Jones (13); Philip Tomasino (12)
Hamilton Bulldogs: Matthew Strome (13); Tim Fleischer (5); Navrin Mutter (4).
Game stats: Shots on goal: By Niagara on Nick Donofrio (40), by Hamilton on Stephen Dhillon (36); Power plays: Niagara 1-for-5, Hamilton 2-for-6; Penalty minutes: Niagara 12, Hamilton 10.
Attendance: 4,540.
Up next: At London Friday. Home to Oshawa Saturday.
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