67’s hold off IceDogs
The Niagara IceDogs threw a scare into the Ottawa 67’s Saturday night.
The IceDogs came into the contest a whopping 64 points in arrears of the Ontario Hockey League’s best team but didn’t let that deter or intimidate them.
The 67’s emerged with a 3-2 victory but it could have easily been a different outcome — the IceDogs missed a handful of breakaway chances and could have taken a lead on several occasions.
“I don’t think we’re happy with the result but I think we played one of our best games of the year,” IceDogs defenceman David Jesus said. “We had a lot of breakaways and really played well I thought. If we were able to capitalize and bury on those, it would have been a different game.
“Personally, I don’t like losing and none of the guys in there like losing.”
IceDogs coach Ryan Kuwabara agreed.
“I take value in our compete. That’s a good team over there and for us to take some momentum away from them and push bodes well for us.
“For sure, you hate to lose but that’s a good effort for us. A step in the right direction.”
The 67’s dominated the first period outshooting the IceDogs 20-4 — Niagara took over eight minutes to register their first shot on net — but goaltender Owen Flores made 19 saves as Ottawa took a 1-0 lead after 20 minutes.
The IceDogs rebounded nicely in the second period but still trailed 3-1 after 40 minutes.
Kuwabara liked what he saw from his club in the middle frame.
“They worked hard, did all the small stuff,” he said. “We started to have confidence in our game and we just started to play over there and get pucks behind their D and using our O zone structure. I was really happy with that.”
Jesus netted his fourth of the season late in the third as the IceDogs pressured to tie the game.
“I think we have to take a lot of positives out of that game and look to next weekend,” Jesus said.
Jesus, a 20-year-old Toronto native, was hoping to be part of a contending team this season, but has had to pivot as the IceDogs have struggled with the worst record in the league.
“I’m an older guy and just trying to help these guys for the following years and lead them to whatever victories I can or lead to any good direction in terms of habits on or off the ice,” he said. “It’s been hard. I thought we were going to have a good push at the start of the year and we traded a lot of guys away trying to rebuild for the following years.
“You can talk all day it’s been this or that, but at the end of the day you kind of have to embrace it and move forward and look ahead. Life’s not a box chocolates. You have to be ready for what’s to come at any given point at any time.”
Jesus is hoping to turn pro next season.
“Not the way obviously I wanted (to end my junior career) but you have to move forward and turn the page,” he said.
Ice cubes: Landon Cato (upper body), Gerard Keane (broken wrist), Anthony Agostinelli (concussion), William Stuart, Andrew Wycisk and Josh Rosenzweig (ill) did not dress for the IceDogs . . . Thomas Sirman, Chris Barlas, Tyler Boucher, Logan Morrison and Frankie Marrelli were scratched for Ottawa.
STATS PACK
67’s 3 IceDogs 2
Niagara defenceman Bronson Ride and Ottawa defenceman Pavel Mintyukov
Niagara IceDogs: Declan Waddick (25); David Jesus (4).
Ottawa 67’s: Brady Stonehouse (32); Cameron Tolnai (23); Brad Gardiner (20).
Game stats: Shots on goal: By Niagara on Collin MacKenzie (31), by Ottawa on Owen Flores (48); Power plays: Niagara 0/4, Ottawa 1/2; Penalty minutes: Niagara 6, Ottawa 10.
Attendance: 4,682.
Next up: The IceDogs are in Erie Wednesday and Barrie Saturday before returning home Sunday to face Peterborough.
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