Another He-roic effort
Kevin He netted three goals as the Niagara IceDogs edged the Brantford Bulldogs 6-4 Saturday. Photo: OHL IMAGES.
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The Niagara IceDogs just keep on winning.
The IceDogs ran their record to 13-5 with a 6-4 victory over the Brantford Bulldogs in Ontario Hockey League action Saturday at Brantford.
The IceDogs have already surpassed their win total of 12 from two seasons ago and appear well on their way to topping last year’s total of 17 victories.
“I think that’s why when you’re driving there’s a rear view mirror so you can watch the dust behind there,” IceDogs coach Ben Boudreau said. “Last year was last year. This year is this year.”
Boudreau said the organization took it personally when they were projected not to make the playoffs, let alone lead the Eastern Conference.
“I thought that was a thorn in our side as far as changing the image and the expectation around this organization,” Boudreau said. “Sometimes when you’re lucky to win a championship you know how good of a group you have and right now there’s just that feeling that anything is achievable.
“We’re 18 games into the season I want to say this is the most fun I’ve ever had in my life coaching a group of hockey players.”
The IceDogs fell behind 2-0 early in the second period before regrouping to take a 3-2 lead after two. Niagara went up 5-2 in the third only to have the Bulldogs rally with two goals before Kevin He completed the hat-trick with his 16th of the season with 11 seconds remaining.
Jack Brauti, Ryan Roobroeck and Max Crete also scored while Andrei Loshko chipped in with three assists.
Boudreau loved He’s effort, which came on the heels of a hat-trick by Roobroeck Friday.
“Watching these young boys turn into men I think is so much fun right before our very eyes,” Boudreau said. “You watch the NHL and you see these players but you don’t really hear all the time about their journeys and you know the way that they responded, the reason that they’re wearing letters on their jersey is often what they do by example on the ice and in the gym and in the dressing room. What you saw was two leaders take the bull by the horns and find a way to make an impact. It was Ryan’s turn on Friday, Kevin’s turn tonight.”
Owen Flores made a whopping 46 saves to earn the win in goal 24 hours after an outstanding effort in a victory over Sarnia at home.
“Clark Kent,” Boudreau smiled. “I mean, he’s regular clothes during the day, steps into the booth, puts on a Superman outfit. I mean, you could simplify it — good goalies stop pucks and he’s been doing it a lot.
“I know right now what our record is and people talk about it being impressive. You need different ingredients for a really good recipe. Right now, he’s the main ingredient in a lot of our wins. So hats off to Owen Flores. Deserves a ton of credit. I think he’s masking a lot of our issues right now. But it is a team. There is 60 minutes. We’re finding ways to win more often than not.”
The IceDogs are at Guelph Friday and home to Brantford Sunday.
With files from the Armchair GM’s Sports Network.
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