IceDogs double up Otters
Kirill Maksimov scored his 30th goal of the season Thursday as the Niagara IceDogs defeated the Erie Otters. Photo by: OHL IMAGES
The Niagara IceDogs powered past the Erie Otters Thursday night.
The IceDogs fired three goals on the power play to top the Otters 6-3 in an Ontario Hockey League game in St. Catharines.
The win was the fourth straight for the IceDogs who improved to 28-10-7.
The rebuilding Otters fell to 18-26-1-1.
Niagara’s work with the man advantage has been stellar of late — the IceDogs came into the game second overall in the league in power-play efficiency at 27 per cent, trailing only the Kitchener Rangers who lead the pack at 27.9 per cent.
“When your power play is clicking and it’s a weapon for you, it’s huge,” IceDogs coach Billy Burke said. “It motivates the team. The team gets excited because they know they’re a good possibility we’ll score.
“It also puts the other team on their heels and they’re going to focus on our power play all week and they’ll be spooked.”
Burke said there’s no secret to success with the man advantage.
“It’s hard work. It’s hard to score goals in this league. It doesn’t matter who you have (out there) if they’re not putting in the work on and off the ice and in the video too, it’s not going to click.”
Niagara assistant Kris Sparre is normally in charge of going over video with the players.
“There’s a ton of video work. Whether it’s NHL clips or OHL clips, it’s watching our power play and others to see what works,” Burke said.
The IceDogs power play became even more dangerous with the addition of defenceman Matt Broussard, who collected a goal Thursday with the man advantage.
“It’s huge,” Burke said of the arrival of Broussard. “He’s excellent at getting his shot through. He’s a right shot, which we’ve missed the last couple of years, and he has excellent power play instincts.
“He’s been a huge part of us going on a little hot streak here.”
Following a scoreless first period, Niagara broke the scoreless deadlock with a pair of goals by Jack Studnicka and Jonah DiSimone before the Otters answered back with a goal from Jack Duff. Kirill Maksimov then netted his 30th of the season followed by Brassard’s goal to give Niagara a 4-1 lead after 40 minutes.
The Otters cut the lead to 5-3 before Akil Thomas scored into an empty net with less than a minute to play.
Before the game a moment of silence was held for Sheila Carr, mother of former IceDog and current Otters’ winger Danial Singer, who passed away Wednesday after a brief battle with cancer.
Singer, who was visibly moved during the ceremony, started the game and played a regular shift.
Burke offered his condolences to Singer, who was dealt to the Otters for Ivan Lodnia before the season.
“For a guy that age to lose a parent is absolutely heartbreaking,” Burke said. “Singer is a great guy. His teammates loved him here and they love him there. He’s the kind of guy who would do anything for his team and the fact he was out there playing, what a warrior, what a hockey player.”
Erie defenceman and Niagara Falls native Kurtis Henry said the Otters were doing their best to support Singer in his time of need.
“It was really tough to hear the news. Everyone took it hard,” Henry said. “We’re all brothers and we’re here to support him and get through this together.
“I didn’t really expect him to play, but it shows a lot of character.”
Ice cubes: Philip Tomasino, Jacob Paquette, Ivan Lodnia, Andrew Bruder and Christian Sbaraglia did not dress for the IceDogs . . . Niagara dressed only 17 forwards, one under the limit . . . Brendan Kischnick, Hayden Fowler, Luke Beamish, Noah Sedore and Maxim Golod were scratched for the Otters . . . The IceDogs announced the Community Care of St. Catharines and Thorold will be receiving $14,110 from the live auction from the game-worn Ugly Christmas sweaters worn Dec. 15 . . . Henry has six goals and 16 points for the Otters in 46 games after scoring Erie’s third goal.
IceDogs 6 Otters 3
BPSN Star of the Game: Erie forward and former IceDog Danial Singer for playing just 24 hours after his mother, Sheila Carr, passed away.
Niagara IceDogs: Kirill Maksimov (30); Akil Thomas (24); Ben Jones (27); Jack Studnicka (18); Matt Brassard (10); Jonah DiSimone (3).
Erie Otters: Gera Poddubnyi (20); Kurtis Henry (6); Jack Duff (2).
Game stats: Shots on goal: By Niagara on Chad Yetman (47), by Erie on Stephen Dhillon (39) Power plays: Niagara 3-for-6, Erie 1-for-3; Penalty minutes: Niagara 6, Erie 12.
Attendance: 5,028
Up next: At Sarnia Saturday and Windsor Sunday.
On the right side of our web site, you will notice a yellow SUPPORT US button.
We are asking anyone who finds value in our work and is able to financially help us to click on the button and contribute whatever amount you feel is appropriate and can afford. There is no set amount. Any amount is appreciated.
The funds collected will be used to enhance and offset the expenses of running the web site.
