IceDogs roll over Greyhounds
Andrei Loshko had two goals as the Niagara IceDogs defeated the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds 8-4 Friday. Photo: OHL IMAGES.
The Niagara IceDogs made it four straight wins and second in as many nights with another solid effort in an 8-4 win over the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in Ontario Hockey League action Friday in Sault Ste. Marie.
The eight goals is a season high for the IceDogs, who were also disciplined and stayed out of the penalty box all night.
“That was the best game, the best first two periods, I’ve seen this team play in a year-and-a-half, hands down,” IceDogs coach Ben Boudreau said proudly. “It wasn’t anywhere close, the commitment level from everybody that was in the lineup to dial it in and play.
“It’s unfortunate that we let in four, but I thought the game was over at the end of two being up 5-1 ”
Boudreau said with the team finally getting healthy, players know playing time is at a premium.
“When you get healthy, I don’t think you can afford to take shifts off or games off knowing that if you have a bad game, somebody’s going replace you in the lineup,” he said. “When you’re not healthy you don’t have those bodies to replace you. So I think it’s created internal competition, which has driven everybody to be at their best.”
IceDogs goaltender Owen Flores was finally given a night off after 18 straight starts in favour of Charlie Robertson, who has seen limited action this season due to an injury and Flores’ outstanding play.
“Really good for Charlie,” Boudreau said. “It was a 5-1 hockey game at the end of two, and if it wasn’t for Charlie and a few opportunities it could have been a lot tighter. So great to see him get some wins under his belt. It’s been a long time coming and I really think the team is coming together so it’s fun to see.”
The IceDogs permitted only 31 shots, which Boudreau chalked up to their discipline.
“We cut our shots against in half and we are blocking shots, but at same time when you’re on the penalty kill, you’re giving up a ton of opportunities against them. When we were disciplined, we didn’t have to spend that much time defending.”
Andrei Loshko and Ethan Czata each had two goals for the IceDogs while Kevin He had a goal and three assists and Blair Scott a goal and two assists. Mike Levin and Alex Assadourian also scored while Blake Arrowsmith added two assists.
The IceDogs, 19-9-1-1, are in Sudbury Sunday at 2 p.m.
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