Weekend split for IceDogs
IceDogs defenceman Landon Cato scored his first OHL goal Saturday in a 7-6 overtime win over Kitchener. Photo by OHL IMAGES.
It was a good news-bad news weekend for the Niagara IceDogs.
The IceDogs dropped an 8-2 decision at Hamilton Sunday afternoon, just hours after an exciting 7-6 overtime victory over the Kitchener Rangers Saturday night at home.
IceDogs coach Billy Burke admitted is was a tough turnaround after an emotional win Saturday.
“There is certainly no doubt Kitchener took a big bite out of us last night. It took everything and everyone sacrificing to pull out an overtime win,” he said. “It was a bit of everything. We were undermanned, a bit of a flu bug going around, a bunch of guys are playing injured. The guys were tired. They had no jump.
“We just didn’t have it today. We have to regroup. You can’t get too down on the guys.”
Burke said it’s best the IceDogs turn the page and look forward to a rematch with the Bulldogs at home later this week.
“As long as we get back to work next week and have some good practices and show Hamilton who we really are Thursday night, I’ll be able to forget this one,” he said.
The Bulldogs jumped out to a 3-0 lead after one and extended the lead to 6-1 after two periods.
Hamilton outshot Niagara 44-24, including 16-6 in the first period versus Josh Rosenzweig.
Christian Sbaraglia finished up in goal for the IceDogs and permitted five goals on 23 shots.
Issac Nurse scored three times for the Bulldogs while Davis Young added two. Jake Gravelle, Navrin Mutter and George Diaco also scored.
Jake Uberti and Oliver Castleman replied for the IceDogs.
Saturday night in St. Catharines, the IceDogs jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first only to see the Rangers tie the game before the period was complete.
Kitchener then built a 5-3 lead before the IceDogs rallied to take a 6-5 lead in the third. Kitchener then tied the game at 6-6 with 27 seconds remaining.
Ivan Lodnia scored the OT winner at 1:26 for Niagara.
Phil Tomasino added two goals while singles went to Adrien Beraldo, Ethan Sims, Jackson Doherty and Landon Cato, with his first OHL goal.
Rosenzweig made 30 saves for the win.
Jonathan Yantsis paced Kitchener with three goals while Reid Valade, Greg Meireles and Liam Hawel also scored.
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