IceDogs sweep weekend set
The Niagara IceDogs continued to move toward the. 500 mark with a pair of road wins over the weekend.
The IceDogs topped the Sarnia Sting 5-2 Friday before upsetting the Windsor Spitfires 3-2 Saturday.
The IceDogs are now 11-12-3-2 and just one point behind the Barrie Colts for second place in the Central Division of the Ontario Hockey League.
“It sure was great,” IceDogs coach Billy Burke said. “I think we would’ve been happy with two points this weekend but to go on the road, in two tough buildings and come away with two wins, feels great.”
Burke was particularly proud of the win versus the Spitfires.
“They had not lost in regulation at home, (they are) the top team in the OHL, and the No. 3 team in Canada,” he said. “We were down early but stuck together and stuck to the game plan and got it done as a team.”
The Spitfires jumped out to a 2-0 lead by the halfway mark of the first period on goals by Daniel D’Amico and Cole Purboo.
Philip Tomasino began Niagara’s comeback with his 16th on the power play early in the second before Akil Thomas scored less than four minutes later to tie the game at 2-2.
Adrien Beraldo netted the winner 1:23 into the third and Tucker Tynan turned back all 11 shots he faced in the period. Overall, Tynan made 32 saves.
“I think the biggest thing is the guys trust each other, every guy knows the guy beside him is gonna make the smart play for the team,” Burke said. “The guys believe in our game plan and believe if we play smart and together we have a chance every night against any team. Obviously it starts at the top and our older guys and our leaders are doing just an amazing job leading the charge.”
Friday in Sarnia, Thomas led the way with two goals and an assist while Ivan Lodnia, Tomasino and Oliver Castleman also scored.
Tynan turned in another solid effort, kicking out 34 shots for the win.
The IceDogs are in Owen Sound for a rare Wednesday night game this week before hosting Sault Ste. Marie Thursday and Sarnia Saturday.
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