Repeat performance for Thomas in return to Niagara
The Niagara IceDogs dropped pair of games this weekend at home to the Erie Otters and Peterborough Petes. Photos by: ALEX LUPUL PHOTOGRAPHY.
Akil Thomas made a triumphant return to Niagara Sunday afternoon.
The former captain of the Niagara IceDogs returned to St. Catharines for the first time since being traded to the Peterborough Petes and picked right up where he left off.
Thomas, who had 44 points in 27 games with the IceDogs before being dealt, collected six points (2-4) as the Petes defeated the IceDogs 12-1.
Thomas, who shared a hug with IceDogs captain Ivan Lodnia at centre ice before the game, has 40 points in 22 games with the Petes, but said he still has deep feelings for the IceDogs.
“It was the weirdest thing I ever had to do in terms of hockey,” Thomas said after a quick word with IceDogs general manager Joey Burke. “Didn’t really know how to feel. Obviously, you’re going into a game and you want to win, but I didn’t want to beat my teammates.”
Thomas scored the first of his two goals with a snap shot to the top shelf, but simply turned and headed back to centre.
“Scoring was weird, I wasn’t too happy,” Thomas said candidly. “I still feel like I’m part of the team. I still listen to all the games.”
Thomas said the IceDogs will always remain near and dear to his heart.
“I felt like I was part of the family here,” he said. “They’re a young team this year and the younger guys felt like they were my little brother. I want to see them do well. I want to see them make the playoffs this year and keep the tradition rolling and just want the best for them.
“They treated me so well. The fans are amazing here, and obviously, the coaching staff, I give them credit for everything I’ve done hockey wise and even outside of hockey.”
Thomas has another legitimate chance to contend for an OHL championship with the Petes, after coming up short last season in Niagara.
“It’s good to be part of a winning team. Last year was a lot of fun and hopefully this team can go a little bit farther than we went last year,” he said. “To be honest with you, I’m still kind of sour from last year, still kind of upset. We had an unreal team and it sucked how it ended and hopefully I can use that that sadness to help capture a championship this year.”
The Petes, 37-21-2-2, are second in the Eastern Division with 78 points.
The IceDogs, meanwhile, (18-38-5-1) have now dropped 18 of their last 20 games, but amazingly remain tied for the eighth and final playoff spot with the Kingston Frontenacs in the Eastern Conference of the Ontario Hockey League.
Both the IceDogs and Frontenacs have 42 points in 62 games, although the Frontenacs own one more win, which is the first tie-breaker.
The 12 goals permitted is a season high for Niagara, surpassing the 11 they gave up in an 11-1 loss versus Owen Sound Feb. 6.
Christian Sbaraglia made his first start in goal for the IceDogs since a Feb. 23 overtime loss to Guelph but permitted seven goals on 22 shots and was replaced by Andrew MacLean at the halfway point of the game.
Andrew MacLean, who made 31 saves Saturday night, finished up and gave up five goals on shots 32 shots.
SATURDAY
OTTERS 4 ICEDOGS 2
Saturday, the IceDogs turned in a spirited effort in a 4-2 loss to the Erie Otters at home in a game that featured a combined 52 minutes in penalties including several fights.
Brendan Sellen had two goals for the Otters while Chad Yetman and Austen Swankler added singles.
Jackson Doherty and Oliver Castleman replied for the IceDogs.
“When the guys show up and care and compete for each other, and you don’t get the goals, then you can live with that,” IceDogs coach Billy Burke said Saturday. “As long as we have the fight. If we’re not getting rewarded or finding a way to get that last goal, that’s hockey.
“As long as we’re showing up and playing hard, that’s the most important.”
Ice cubes: Cameron Peters, Ryan Campbell, A.J. Cook, Tucker Tynan and Josh Rosenzweig did not dress for the IceDogs . . . The Petes feature eight NHL draft picks . . . IceDogs rookie Isaac Enright dropped the gloves with Petes Mason McTavish late in the third.
PETES 12 ICEDOGS 1
BPSN Star of the Game: Peterborough forward Akil Thomas with six points.
Niagara IceDogs: Jonah DeSimone (10).
Peterborough Petes: Thomas 2 (23,24); Zach Gallant 2 (32, 33); Nick Robertson 2 (54,55); Seymon Der-Arguchintsev 2 (11,12); Brady Hinz (15); Declan Chisholm (13); Max Grondin (13); John Parker-Jones (8).
Game stats: Shots on goal: By Niagara on Tye Austin (27), by Peterborough on Christian Sbaraglia (22), on Andrew MacLean (32); Power plays: Peterborough 4-for-6, Niagara 1-for-6; Penalty minutes: Niagara 25, Peterborough 25.
Attendance: 5,408 (sell out)
Up next: At Ottawa Tuesday, at Mississauga Friday, home to Sudbury Saturday.
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