Lost weekend for IceDogs (updated with quotes)

Juan Copeland netted Niagara’s lone goal in a 2-1 loss at London Friday. Photo by: OHL IMAGES.

Ryan Kuwabara is still in search of his first win as head coach of the Niagara IceDogs after the club lost a pair of games over the weekend.

The IceDogs, who dropped a 6-2 decision to Hamilton in Kuwabara’s debut behind the bench Thursday, fell 2-1 at London Friday before being dominated 13-2 in Sudbury Sunday afternoon.

The IceDogs, 6-15-3, remain in the last place overall with 15 points.

“I think our game in London was a good start we started to implement the style of hockey we want to play,” Kuwabara said. “Trying to take away opponents’ speed through the neutral zone and create turnovers, along with being sound defensively in our D-zone and making it tough to get any middle ice.”

Sudbury, who came into Sunday’s game only two points up on Niagara in the standings, jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first period before upping their lead to 7-1 after 40 minutes.

The Wolves outshot the IceDogs 47-35 and collected five goals in six opportunities with the man advantage. 

“Tonight’s game was a battle for our group. We didn’t take care of those D-zone responsibilities and we got exposed,” Kuwabara said. “We got puck-focused a lot instead of taking away their threats and it ended up in our net. We also have to learn to stay out of the penalty box.

“We have a lot of work to do to get everyone connected and working together within our systems.”

Quentin Musty paced Sudbury with a goal and six assists whole David Goyette had two goals and three assists and Nick DeGrazia a goal and four assists. Dylan Robinson added a pair of goals while singles came off the sticks of Ethan Larmand, Evan Konyen, Jakub Chromiak, Alex Pharand, Devin Mauro, Jacob Holmes and Nathan Villeneuve.

Gerard Keane and Declan Waddick replied for Niagara, who were missing forwards Brendan Sirizzotti and Pasquale Zito due to illness and defenceman Nathan Ribau with a lower body injury.

Josh Rosenzweig permitted seven goals on 29 shots before giving way to Owen Flores in the third period. Flores allowed six goals on 18 shots. 

Friday in London, Juan Copeland netted Niagara’s lone goal.

London netted the winner halfway through the third frame when it scored off an awkward bounce. 

The IceDogs have a busy week with home games Thursday versus Kingston and Saturday against Mississauga sandwiched around a Friday game in Kitchener.

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