IceDogs rally past Generals in overtime
Owen Flores is on a roll and the timing couldn’t be better.
The veteran backstop turned in his third outstanding effort in a row, kicking out 52 shots as the Niagara IceDogs rallied to defeat the Oshawa Generals 4-3 in overtime in Ontario Hockey League action Friday at the Meridian Centre.
“It’s a great feeling,” Flores said after whooping it up with his teammates following being named the game’s third star. “It’s an up and down road here throughout the season so it’s good to string a few wins together and keep it going.”
The win moves the IceDogs out of the league basement past the Windsor Spitfires by a point and to within six points of the Barrie Colts for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The Colts own three games in hand.
“It’s really important that we show up every single game,” Flores said. “It’s a tight run with the playoffs so every point counts.”
Flores made 14 consecutive starts earlier in the season before being sidelined with a head injury. Charlie Robertson filled in admirably in Flores’ absence.
“I feel great. I had an unfortunate setback a couple of weeks ago with the head injury but coming forward I came back ready to roll here,” Flores said. “It wasn’t really that difficult to come back from. It was unfortunate timing but it’s a good time for me to collect myself and really think it and get some time for myself.”
IceDogs coach Ben Boudreau has been impressed with Flores.
“Good players have to find a way to make a difference and Flores has been a great player for us,” Boudreau said. “We have a lot of confidence in a guy like that. He’s been standing on his head and without him we don’t have a chance to win the game.
“We expect him to do his job and he shows up every single day doing it to the best of his ability and to watch the team celebrate with him as he came into the room after a sold out building, that’s a big moment for him.”
The IceDogs went into the third period down 3-1 but goals by Ryan Roobroeck and Mike Levin tied the game. Kevin He then won it when he potted his 27th, 2:58 into the extra period.
That set off a wild celebration on the ice which spilled over into the lockeroom later.
“I think there’s elation because it’s one thing to be criticized all year and looked down as the last-place team,” Boudreau said. “From a labour of love and hard work, these kids haven’t given up. They’ve kept going and to see them rewarded, especially after last week you get beat down and you hear the negativity with the press and everything, and to come back and beat Erie and beat Oshawa, it’s really big for our confidence.”
Boudreau said these crucial games down the stretch will be key for his younger charges.
“The one thing you have from young guys is motivated hockey players,” Boudreau said. “They’re playing big minutes and developing and it’s exciting as a group. We have a team dynamic I haven’t felt before and it stems from great leadership from Gavin Bryant and there’s no cancerous attitudes or people in there. It’s fun to come to the rink every day.
“It’s an infectious attitude and we still think we can make the playoffs.”
Boudreau was also impressed with how the team responded to a check from behind on Kevin He that saw rookie Ivan Galiyanov drop the gloves with Owen Griffin.
“Our young guys are fighting for each other. That builds team camaraderie and that builds sportsmanship between each other knowing it’s a wolfpack going out there together,” he said. “The way we responded after they went after our leading scorer was nothing short of beautiful.”
Flores even tried to get in on the act, skating out near the blueline and motioning to his counterpart in goal, Jacob Oster, to drop his gloves. Oster just shook his head and declined the invitation.
“You don’t see that much anymore but it’s great to be part of,” Flores said. “It’s frustrating especially when the officiating is not really the way you want it to go but it fires you up and brings you together as a team.”
Ice cubes: Michael Podolioukh and Andrew Wysick did not dress for the IceDogs . . . Luca D’Amato, Harrison Franssen, Calum Ritchie, Lucas Rodriguez and Connor Lockhart were scratched for Oshawa.
STATS PACK
IceDogs 4 Generals 3 OT
Niagara IceDogs: Kevin He (27); Ryan Roobroeck (21); Mike Levin (17); Evan Klein (6).
Oshawa Generals: Matthew Buckley (27); Luca Marrelli (3); David Bedkowski (2).
Game stats: Shots on goal: By Niagara on Jacob Oster (34), by Oshawa on Owen Flores (55); Power plays: Niagara 0/2, Oshawa 0/2; Penalty minutes: Niagara 13, Oshawa 13.
Attendance: 5,300 (sell out)
Next up: The IceDogs are back home Sunday to face Brantford at 2 p.m.
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