Firebirds cool off IceDogs
Kevin He scored his 20th of the season for the Niagara IceDogs in a 5-2 loss to Flint Friday at home. File photo: OHL IMAGES.
The Niagara IceDogs suffered their first regulation loss of 2024, dropping a 5-2 decision to the Flint Firebirds in Ontario Hockey League action Friday night in St. Catharines.
The IceDogs had won three of their last four games, their only loss an overtime defeat to Owen Sound Jan. 5.
Following a scoreless first period, Niagara took a 1-0 lead when Kevin He netted his 20th of the season. He is having an outstanding sophomore campaign and has been named the 89th ranked North American skater by NHL Central Scouting on their Mid-Term Rankings released Friday.
The Firebirds grabbed a 2-1 lead after one period on goals by Simon Slavicek and Nathan Aspinall. Ethan Czata got the IceDogs even again at 2-2 early in the third before the Firebirds scored three unanswered goals to put the game away.
“I think the momentum shifted when they got their third goal there,” Niagara assistant coach Brandon Shaw said. “We were making a push and the guys played a great game last night and we kind of ran out of gas.”
The IceDogs continue to struggle on the power play, going scoreless in four opportunities.
“We have a young group of guys still learning how to do it in this league,” Shaw said. “Give Flint credit. They did a great job and put a lot of pressure on us in situations. We need to create two-on-ones. It’s something we’re working on.”
Grimsby’s Nate Day picked up the win with 30 saves in goal for Flint.
Owen Flores faced 37 shots in net for Niagara and took the loss.
Thursday night at home, the IceDogs topped the Barrie Colts 4-1.
Newly minted captain Gavin Bryant (9) scored as did Mathieu Paris (8), Mike Levin (6) and William Stewart (1).
Flores made 34 saves for the win.
The IceDogs, 11-22-5-1, are seven points in arrears of the Peterborough Petes for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference and have played one more game.
Ice cubes: Michael Podolioukh and Alex Assadourian did not dress for the IceDogs.
With files from Brandon Caputo of The Armchair GM’s Sports Network.
STATS PACK
Firebirds 5 IceDogs 2
Niagara IceDogs: Kevin He (20); Ethan Czata (5).
Flint Firebirds: Kaden Pitre 2 (9,10); Nathan Aspinall (12); Simon Slavicek (8); Connor Clattenburg (5).
Game stats: Shots on goal: By Niagara on Nathan Day (32), by Flint on Owen Flores (37); Power plays: Niagara 0/4, Flint 0/1; Penalty minutes: Niagara 4, Flint 10.
Attendance: 4,385
Next up: The IceDogs are back home Thursday against Mississauga then in Barrie Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
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