IceDogs power past Battalion
Gavin Bryant stamped the exclamation point on an exciting, gutsy and absolutely vital victory for the Niagara IceDogs on home ice Sunday afternoon.
The IceDogs captain netted the insurance marker and also chipped in with three assists as the IceDogs held off the North Bay Battalion 6-4 for their second win in as many nights in Ontario Hockey League action.
Coupled with a 5-4 overtime win at Peterborough Saturday, the IceDogs are now 14-27-6-1 and three points behind the Petes for ninth spot in the Eastern Conference. They still trail the Barrie Colts by six points for the eighth and final playoff spot. The Colts also own two games in hand.
“Super proud,” Bryant said. “It’s been one of those things, it’s been a grind this year but this team is really buying into the coaches, the young guys especially and the coaches are ecstatic.
“It’s pretty cool to be seen as a leader on the team.”
Bryant’s goal was his 100th point in the OHL.
“It’s great. I’m looking more at the team’s success but it’s cool obviously,” he said. “Personal success is coming from team success for me now and it’s pretty special for myself and my family, for sure.”
The IceDogs once again played shorthanded with Owen Flores, Alex Assadourian, Michael Podolioukh, Alexey Kulikov, Mathieu Paris and Andrew Wysick all sidelined. As well, forward Mike Levin left the game in the first period after an open ice hit that left him groggy and in need of assistance to get off the ice. He will be reevaluated Tuesday and is out with an upper body injury. North Bay’s Ethan Proczyszyn was assessed a minor for interference on the play.
“It’s tough, especially when you get to February,” Bryant said of all the injuries. “I’ve been trying to harp on the young guys. It’s the dog days of the end of January and February. It’s tough. I’ve been through it twice but I really like the effort this weekend right from the young guys up.”
Bryant felt for Levin, who has been one of the IceDogs most consistent scores this season.
“Levy has been a huge part of this team this year. Any teammate you see go down like that is tough. I’m glad we rallied around it and hope he can get healthy as fast as he can,” he said.
Niagara fell behind 2-0 after one period but turned things around in the second with three straight goals to take a 3-2 lead before the Battalion tied it at 3-3 with less than two minutes to play.
Callum Cheynowski gave the IceDogs a 4-3 lead on a coast-to-coast rush early in the third before Ryan Roobroeck completed his hat trick just over two minutes later. The impressive rookie leads all first-year players with 19 goals. North Bay then got one back and were pressing hard for the equalizer when Bryant scored.
Charlie Robertson made his seventh straight start in goal for the IceDogs and had 33 saves. The former Battalion backstop was particularly impressive in the final 20 minutes, kicking out 16 of 17 shots versus his former teammates.
The IceDogs have a tough road trip on tap this week with games in North Bay Thursday, Sudbury Friday and Sault Ste. Marie Saturday.
Bryant feels the IceDogs need to carry the momentum of this weekend into those games.
“Consistency, it’s the biggest part of this league for every bit of it,” he said. “It’s going to be a tough weekend and we’re making a push. It’s got to be consistent and I feel if we can play like tonight and like we did last night we’ll put ourselves in the best spot next weekend.”
Saturday night in Peterborough, Kevin He netted the winner in OT to give him a team leading 24 goals. Roobroeck, Ethan Czata (6), Masen Wray (4) and William Stewart (2) also scored.
Ice cubes: Owen Flores, Alex Assadourian, Michael Podolioukh, Alexey Kulikov, Mathieu Paris and Andrew Wysick did not dress for the IceDogs . . . Brayden Turley, Nolan Laird, Ty Nelson and Stef Forgione were scratched for North Bay . . . The IceDogs much maligned power play scored twice Sunday. The Battalion were scoreless in four opportunities with the man advantage . . . Former IceDogs general manager Joey Burke was in attendance.
STATS PACK
IceDogs 6 Battalion 4
Niagara’s Ryan Roobroeck and North Bay’s Anthony Romani
Niagara IceDogs: Ryan Roobroeck 3 (17, 18, 19); Gavin Bryant (13); Ivan Galiyanov (4); Callum Cheynowski (2).
North Bay Battalion: Anthony Romani 2 (41, 42); Owen Van Steensel 2 (25, 26).
Game stats: Shots on goal: By Niagara on Mike McIvor (27), by North Bay on Charlie Robertson (37); Power plays: Niagara 2/6, North Bay 0/4; Penalty minutes: Niagara 15, North Bay 21.
Attendance: 5,021.
Next up: The IceDogs are in North Bay Thursday, Sudbury Friday and Sault Ste. Marie Saturday.
Dear reader. If you liked this story or one of the 5,700 other stories found on our website, please consider hitting the Support Us button on the right-hand side of our home page and making a PayPal contribution to our website. Your support would be much appreciated. If you are a business owner, please consider advertising on our site. Our rates are reasonable and we provide plenty of exposure for your business. Contact bpotrecz@outlook.com for more information.
