IceDogs sweep weekend road trip
Josh Rosenzweig was outstanding as the game’s first star kicking out 40 shots as the Niagara IceDogs topped Flint 3-2 Saturday. File photo: OHL IMAGES.
It’s tough envisioning the Niagara IceDogs having a better trip south.
The IceDogs defeated the Saginaw Spirit 7-2 Sunday night following a 3-2 win at Flint Saturday to complete the sweep of their weekend road trip to Michigan.
“Very proud of our commitment to winning habits and getting out of Michigan with four points,” Niagara head coach Daniel Fitzgerald said. “This is a weekend we can build from.”
Sunday in Saginaw, Niagara jumped out to a 3-2 lead after one period, added one more in the second, then put the game away in the third with a strong final 20 minutes.
“We overcame a disorganized first period and really focused in on our habits and playing the right way to take the game over,” Fitzgerald said.
Daniel Michaud led Niagara with two goals and an assist while Kevin He, with his second in as many games, Declan Waddick, David Jesus, Aiden Castle and Rodwin Dionicio also scored.
Theo Hill and Matyas Sapovaliv replied for Saginaw.
Owen Flores made 28 saves in net for the win.
“We are leaning into our identity as a team that does the little things necessary to win —a hard hat, lunch pail team. The more we do the little things, the more we can create,” Fitzgerald said.
Fitzgerald picked up his first win in the OHL Saturday night as the IceDogs knocked off the top-10 CHL ranked Firebirds in their home opener 3-2.
Niagara goaltender Josh Rosenzweig was outstanding kicking out 40 shots.
“Was a great effort by our entire team,” Fitzgerald said. “We killed some huge penalties, capitalized on the power play, got terrific goaltending and locked down a high-powered offence.”
He, Castle and Brendan Sirizzotti, with the game winner, scored for Niagara.
“It was great to see Kevin He get his first OHL goal to give us a spark after getting down 2-0,” Fitzgerald added. “Thursday I spoke about our resiliency, we showed that again. We thought we played the better period but found ourselves down after the first, then gave up a quick one to start the second—but we didn’t quit for a second.”
The IceDogs, 2-0-1-0, travel to Barrie Thursday before hosting Oshawa Friday and Guelph Saturday.
Ice cubes: The IceDogs were without Pano Fimis (second game of two-game suspension), and forwards Juan Copeland, Andrew Leblanc and defenceman Andrew Wycisk.
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