IceDogs surprise Steelheads
Josh Rosenzweig’s contributions to the Niagara IceDogs go far beyond the numbers.
The 19-year-old backstop has a 4.35 goals-against average and .879 save percentage, but that doesn’t even come close to telling the whole story.
As the starting goaltender on a rebuilding team, Rosenzweig often sees more than his fair share of shots and has kept the IceDogs in many games they would have otherwise been blown out of.
Rosenzweig turned in perhaps his best performance of the season Sunday afternoon, kicking out 31 shots as the IceDogs blanked the Mississauga Steelheads 4-0 in Ontario Hockey League action in St. Catharines.
Rosenzweig set the tone in the first period, making a couple of spectacular, diving saves to keep the game scoreless.
“Just some highlight reel saves,” IceDogs coach Billy Burke said. “A couple of scrambly moments and they definitely could have broken it open a little bit.
“Just an outstanding performance by Rosey. A full, 60 (minute) performance by your goalie definitely gave us a ton of momentum and helped get us going.”
Rosenzweig said making a couple of spectacular saves early got him off on the right foot.
“It’s definitely a confidence builder,” he said. “I just do whatever I can to see the puck and make the save and keep the team in the game as long as possible.”
On at least two occasions, the 6-foot-3, 185-pound netminder sprawled across the crease to make saves, which has become somewhat of a trademark as the season has gone on.
“I try not to rely on my athleticism and flexibility too too much but I’ve got it in my back pocket whenever I need it,” he said, of his unorthodox style of play.
The shutout was Rosenzweig’s second of the season after he blanked the Oshawa Generals 5-0 in January.
“It felt amazing,” he said. “Big two points for us against a top team in the league.”
The IceDogs were without Landon Cato, Cameron Peters, Pano Fimis and leading scorer Daniel Gushchin, all out with injuries. Liam VanLoon was serving the 10th game of a 10-game suspension and is eligible to return Wednesday in Erie.
“Obviously, undermanned again against a very strong team, but the whole message was just about our effort,” Burke said. “We feel when we play together, when we compete to our potential, we can play against anybody in this league.
“It was a real great bounce back effort from a lot of guys.”
Declan Waddick returned to the lineup and had a solid game with a goal and an assist. Juan Copeland (1-1), Brice Cooke (1-1) and Ryan Struthers (0-2) also turned in notable efforts.
The win halted a four-game losing streak for the IceDogs who trail the Peterborough Petes by 12 points for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
“We don’t want to be too high and think we’re world-beaters now,” Burke said. “(We need to) find out what worked, clean up some things that didn’t.”
Ice cubes: Boe Piroski and Tanner Ryan were also scratched for the IceDogs . . . Jake Uberti (suspended), Ethan Kowatsch, Justin DiLauro, Adam Barkley, Quinn Binnie, Charlie Cunningham and Ty Collins did not dress for the Steelheads.
STATS PACK
IceDogs 4 Steelheads 0
Niagara’s Josh Rosenzweig and Mississauga’s Roman Basran.
Niagara IceDogs: Brenden Sirizzotti (11); Brice Cooke (10); Juan Copeland (9); Declan Waddick (4).
Mississauga Steelheads: No scoring.
Game stats: Shots on goal: By Niagara on Roman Basran (32), by Mississauga on Josh Rosenzweig (31); Power plays: Niagara 0/6, Mississauga 0/6; Penalty minutes: Niagara 14, Mississauga 14.
Attendance: 3,347.
Up next: The IceDogs visit Erie Wednesday and host Barrie Friday.
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