IceDogs quell Storm
Ivan Lodnia quickly made his presence felt in his first game back with the Niagara IceDogs.
The over-age winger, who was reassigned to the IceDogs from the Iowa Wild of the American Hockey League, scored once in regulation and then added the winner in the shootout as the IceDogs edged the Guelph Storm 5-4 Saturday at home.
The victory ended a four-game losing streak for the IceDogs, who improved to 4-5-2-1-1.
IceDogs coach Billy Burke was obviously thrilled to have Lodnia back in the lineup.
“It’s one of those things where it wasn’t in our plans but we’ll certainly take it,” Burke said in a post-game interview “I thought Lods was a little rusty early, maybe trying to do a little too much, but settled in and played his game.
“He was probably our best player in the playoffs last year. He’s the kind of guy you can lean on when things get rough out there. He’s an elite player. We didn’t think we’d have him back but we’re thrilled to have him back.”
Lodnia’s arrival gives the IceDogs four over-agers along with Drew Hunter, Elijah Roberts and Oliver Castleman. Teams can only dress three per game and must be down to three over-agers on their roster by the trade deadline in January.
“It’s going to be interesting,” Burke said. “On the flip side of things, there are three guys in there that I care a lot about as people and players and we’re just going to have to figure it out.”
The IceDogs fell behind 2-0, then netted three in a row to take a 3-2 lead before the Storm added a late goal in the second to tie the game 3-3 after two.
Each team scored a goal in the third before Lodnia notched the winner in the shootout.
“I thought we were kind of sluggish to start, but for us we’re just going to keep stressing to carving out an identity for us,” Burke said. “If we carve out an identity as a straight lines, hard-working team, then it’s going to help everybody.”
Kyen Sopa added two more to give him a team-leading 10 goals while Philip Tomasino also scored.
Tucker Tynan again stood tall in goal for the IceDogs with 47 saves.
The IceDogs are home to Hamilton Friday, then travel to Barrie Saturday and London Sunday afternoon.
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