IceDogs fire blanks
The Niagara IceDogs came up empty over the weekend.
The IceDogs dropped a pair of games — 6-0 Saturday in Ottawa and 2-0 Sunday in Kingston — to fall to 17-23-4-1.
The IceDogs, who are 2–8 in their last 10 games, are still seven points up on the Frontenacs for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference of the Ontario Hockey League and three points behind the Barrie Colts for seventh spot.
“There’s a lot of season left,” Niagara head coach Billy Burke said. “Can’t get down. We have to find a way to generate more offence obviously.”
The IceDogs played this weekend without captain Ivan Lodnia (upper body, week to week), Andrew Bruder (undisclosed), Ethan Sims (upper body, week to week) and rookie defenceman Issac Enright (upper body, week to week).
“Getting healthy will help but in the mean time just have to stay at it. Guys are working hard and trying their best. Results will come,” Burke added.
The IceDogs managed just 24 shots on goal in Kingston, including only six in each of the second and this periods.
The Fronts grabbed a 1-0 lead in the last minute of the first when Jordan Frasca scored with just 34 seconds remaining.
Following a scoreless second period, Jakob Brahaney added an insurance goal just over two minutes into the third.
Ryan Dugas earned the shutout.
Andrew MacLean turned back 29 shots in goal for Niagara.
Saturday afternoon in Ottawa versus the No. 1 ranked team in the Canadian Hockey League, the IceDogs fell behind 3-0 after one period before the 67’s added three more in the final period.
Noel Hoefenmayer paced Ottawa with two goals while Mitchell Hoelscher, Joseph Garreffa, Daylon Groulx and Alec Belanger added singles.
Christian Sbaraglia faced 55 shots in goal for the IceDogs.
Will Cranley made 27 saves for the shutout.
The IceDogs are home to Ottawa Thursday and Barrie Friday.
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