IceDogs extend winning streak to seven
The Niagara IceDogs topped the Brampton Steelheads 6-4 Friday in Brampton in their final game before the Christmas break. Photo: NIAGARA ICEDOGS.
The Niagara IceDogs head into the Christmas break on fire.
The IceDogs defeated the Brampton Steelheads 6-4 in Ontario Hockey League action Friday night in Brampton for their seventh consecutive victory.
The IceDogs finish the unofficial first half of the season with a superb 22-9-1-1 mark, good enough for first place overall in the Eastern Conference.
Niagara head coach Ben Boudreau feels the time off is coming at a perfect point.
“We’ve been so driven to this point. I think family is one of the most important things and I think the longer it goes away, you start getting distracted a little bit trying to make plans,” he said. “I think it’s a great, great time to re-energize the bodies that we’ve really been pushing with the northern road trip last weekend and then we’ve got seven straight to play (on the road) and then the last two before we can finally get back home.
“I feel like the guys are giving it everything. So I think it’s coming at an absolutely perfect time regardless of how many games we’ve won in a row.”
Boudreau said the team is enjoying the winning streak.
“I think it’s a lot more fun to go in and see the guys,” he said. “Whatever we’re doing right now, it seems to be working. To go into this break right now, I think it’s amazing to be able to spend time with family and friends, maybe put your feet up and reflect on what we’ve been able to accomplish so far in this first half.”
Mathieu Paris paced the IceDogs with a goal and two assists while Ethan Czata, Mike Levin and Ryan Roobroeck added a goal and an assist each. Andrei Loshko and Braidy Wassilyn also scored.
“You can tell that everybody kind of had a little bit of distractions and plans,” Boudreau said. “It wasn’t one of those take-your-head-off, try-to-kill-each-other games. But at the end of the day, our offensive talent took over again and Owen Flores was incredible when he needed to be.”
The IceDogs scored three power-play goals while killing off six Brampton chances with the man advantage.
The IceDogs are off until Saturday, Dec. 28 when they travel to Flint followed by an afternoon game Sunday, Dec. 29 at Saginaw. The IceDogs are home again Tuesday, Dec. 31 versus Peterborough at 6 p.m.
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