IceDogs blank Wolves
The Niagara IceDogs rose to the occasion Friday night.
The IceDogs turned in one of their best overall efforts in the most important game of the season to date.
Niagara topped the Sudbury Wolves 3-0 in Ontario Hockey League action in St. Catharines to move into sole possession of first place in the Central Division, two points up on the Wolves.
Stephen Dhillon was front and centre, kicking out 30 shots to record his sixth shutout of the season.
“It was huge; that was the biggest game of the season for us,” Dhillon said. “We knew had to win to take top spot in the division and stay second in the conference.
“They’re a great team. You have to give them a lot of credit, but we worked hard and got the job done tonight.”
Dhillon was quick to credit his teammates for making his job easier.
“They did a great job blocking shots and tying up bodies and chipping pucks out and doing all the little things,” he said. “We really brought it today and if we keep playing like that, we’re going to be really tough to beat.”
IceDogs coach Billy Burke said following a 7-4 win over Erie Friday his team would need to tidy up in its own end, and the club followed his instructions perfectly.
“I’m unbelievably proud,” Burke said. “We knew we had it in us.
“Everyone will tell you it’s easier to work with a younger group. When you have older guys, other things come into play, but we believed in this group.”
The IceDogs were particularly effective in their own end.
“We were stingy and our attention to defence was most important,” Burke said. “Our defence did a great job going back for pucks and being physical. All the things we needed to clean up, I thought we really excelled on it.”
Following a scoreless first period in which the Wolves held a slim 11-10 edge in shots, the IceDogs broke the stalemate when Jack Studnicka netted his 33rd of the season early in the second. Studnicka finished off a perfect passing play with Kirill Maksimov on a rare two-man breakaway. Akil Thomas almost made it 2-0 later in the frame when he rang a backhand off the crossbar. Niagara held a 26-19 lead in shots after two.
The IceDogs added an insurance goal in the third when Oliver Castleman potted his 21st of the season before Studnicka scored into an empty net.
The IceDogs take on Barrie Sunday at home and Burke is well aware how important it is to not have a letdown.
“We needed this one, but we need the next one,” he said. “It’s a great job, the guys are thrilled, we’ll have a quick skate (Saturday) and then refocus and have to do it again Sunday.”
Ice cubes: Christian Sbaraglia, Andrew Bruder, Jonah DiSimone and Jake Uberti did not dress for the IceDogs . . . David Bowen, David Levin and Anthony DeMeo were scratched for the Wolves . . . The IceDogs wore special red jerseys for Mental Health Awareness Night. The jerseys were auctioned off following the game . . . Niagara’s Kyen Sopa and Ryan O’Bonsawin squared off in a rare fight early in the second period . . . The Wolves took four of the first five meetings.
IceDogs 3 Wolves 0
BPSN Star of the Game: IceDogs goalie Stephen Dhillon with 30 saves for the shutout.
Niagara IceDogs: Jack Studnicka 2 (33,34); Oliver Castleman (21).
Sudbury Wolves: No scoring.
Game stats: Shots on goal: By Niagara on Ukko-Pekka Luukonen (37), by Sudbury on Dhillon (30); Power plays: Niagara 0-for-3, Sudbury 0-for-5; Penalty minutes: Niagara 21, Sudbury 22.
Attendance: 5,603 (sellout)
Up next: Home to Barrie Sunday at 2 p.m.
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