IceDogs commit to defence
Zak Lavoie is the new captain of the Niagara IceDogs. Photo by: OHL IMAGES.
The Niagara IceDogs gave new head coach Ben Boudreau his first win, holding off the Barrie Colts 5-2 in Ontario Hockey League action Thursday night in St. Catharines.
Boudreau, who took over for Ryan Kuwabara last week, went 0-2 in his first two games as head coach before Thursday’s victory.
“I have’t had a chance to think what it means to me because my worries and concern is all about the 20 guys on the ice,” Boudreau said. “I was so happy to see their commitment and have it pay off quickly.”
Following a scoreless first period, Niagara took charge with three goals in the second period by Gavin Bryant, Mike Levin and Mike Podolioukh.
That looked like it would be more than enough but the Colts struck for two goals less than a minute apart halfway through the third before the IceDogs settled down.
“We committed to defence,” Boudreau said. “We changed systems, changed the way we prepared and changed the way we played. We prioritized defence and it led to offence. Team defence breeds individual success and not the other way around, so the buy in was nothing short of incredible.”
Niagara then iced the game away with a pair of empty-net goals.
Earlier this week, the IceDogs named Zak Lavoie the 16th captain in team history.
“Zak has demonstrated his leadership qualities both on and off the ice. He’s the type of guy we are proud to have represent our organization, both in the community and on the playing surface,” Boudreau said.
Lavoie was one of six assistant captains named at the beginning of the season.
“It’s an honour and a privilege to be named captain of the Niagara IceDogs. We have a great group of guys in the room and amazing fans supporting us day in and day out. I have full confidence that we will turn things around,” Lavoie said.
Ice cubes: Alex Assadourian, Ryan Humphrey, Brody Crane, Mathieu Paris and Andrew Wycisk did not dress for Niagara . . . Darcy Dewachter, a ninth-round selection in the 2023 draft, made his OHL debut on defence for the IceDogs . . . Anson Thornton, Jacob Frasca, Jaiden Newton and Beau Akey were scratched for the Colts . . . Colts defenceman Jack Brauti, son of Seattle Kracken owner Peter Brauti, looked good.
STATS PACK
Niagara’s Daniil Sobolev and Barrie’s Eduard Sale.
IceDogs 5 Colts 2
Niagara IceDogs: Kevin He (8); Ryan Roobroeck (5); Gavin Bryant (5); Mike Levin (5); Mike Podolioukh (5).
Barrie Colts: Eduard Sale (5); Carter Lowe (2).
Game stats: Shots on goal: By Niagara on Sam Hillebrandt (32), by Barrie on Owen Flores (30); Power plays: Niagara 0/1, Barrie 0/2; Penalty minutes: Barrie 7, Niagara 9.
Attendance: 2,765.
Up next: The IceDogs are in Guelph Friday and home to Saginaw Saturday.
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