Bulldogs rally past IceDogs
Ryan Roobroeck continues to be in the thick of the hunt for rookie of the year.
The 16-year-old forward has been on the most consistent offensive players for the Niagara IceDogs this season and has more than lived up to his status as the team’s top pick and second overall choice in the 2023 Ontario Hockey League draft.
Roobroeck potted two more goals Thursday as the IceDogs dropped a 5-2 decision to the Brantford Bulldogs in OHL action in St. Catharines.
The London native leads all rookies in goals with 15 and is in fourth overall in points for first-year players with 29.
“Pretty happy so far,” Roobroeck said when asked about his season. “There’s been some ups and down but that’s for everyone. Just staying the same and sticking to the game plan.”
Roobroeck admitted it is a difficult jump from midget to the OHL, even for the most skilled players.
“It’s definitely a little tougher of a transition than most people think,” he said. “I’m kind of used to it now getting in the league and playing most of the teams and seeing how they’re playing and adapting to the league.”
Roobroeck quickly realized attention to defence is also a must at the OHL level.
“It teaches young players, especially me, you just have to play more than just offence in a game,” he said. “You look out there tonight and we really could have done a little better on our defence but other than that, it’s really important to play defence at this level.”
The Bulldogs jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead when Marek Vanacker scored just 23 seconds into the game.
Roobroeck then went to work and scored twice in less than three minutes to give Niagara a 2-1 lead after one despite being outshot 20-7 in the first period.
“We were getting outshot and still had a one-goal lead and good teams find a way,” IceDogs coach Ben Boudreau said. “They had one quick one and used the momentum from that and we couldn’t recover. It was one of those games where you look at yourself in the mirror and say you just don’t have it.”
The Bulldogs scored both goals of the second when former Pelham Panther Florian Xhekaj and ex-IceDog Zackary Lavoie netted goals late in the period. Brantford then put the game away with two more in the third.
“I thought we played decent hockey,” Boudreau said. “It definitely wasn’t our best hockey, but give credit where credit is due. That’s a good hockey team, not a lot of holes. Their three scoring lines bring jam and effort and they have six mobile defencemen who can move the puck and a really good goalie. That’s a good recipe for success.”
Goaltender Charlie Robertson made his home debut for the IceDogs and looked sharp, facing 43 shots.
“I thought Charlie was great again and it’s tough to rely so much on the same guys night in and night out that do the goal scoring. It’s one of those situations where we didn’t have it and we have to find a way to regroup and get back on the road tomorrow,” Boudreau said.
Goaltender Owen Flores is out with a minor injury and did not dress. Tyson Gustaw, who plays for the Wellesley Applejacks (PJCHL), dressed as backup. Boudreau indicated the team will know more Friday morning on the status on Flores for their trip to Kingston and Ottawa.
Ice cubes: Flores, Mike Levin, Michael Podolioukh and Andrew Wycisk did not dress for the IceDogs . . . Biir Long, Nick Lardis, Joshua Avery and Patrick Thomas were scratched for the Bulldogs . . . Former Hamilton Kilty B David Egorov was solid in goal for the Bulldogs.
STATS PACK
Bulldogs 5 IceDogs 2
Brantford’s Zak Lavoie and Niagara’s Ryan Roobroeck.
Niagara IceDogs: Ryan Roobroeck 2 (14, 15).
Brantford Bulldogs: Marek Vanacker 2 (23, 24); Zakary Lavoie (18); Florian Xhekaj (15); Adrian Rebelo (1).
Game stats: Shots on goal: By Niagara on David Egorov (30), by Brantford on Charlie Robertson (43); Power plays: Niagara 0/1, Brantford 0/2; Penalty minutes: Niagara 4, Brantford 2.
Attendance: 3,302.
Next up: The IceDogs are in Kingston Friday, in Ottawa Saturday at 3 p.m. and back home next Thursday against Sudbury.
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