IceDogs top Fronts; Falcons tie Avs
Colton Incze finally got into the win column.
The Niagara IceDogs back up netminder was winless in six previous games but Friday turned back 31 shots as the IceDogs defeated the Kingston Frontenacs 3-1 in an Ontario Hockey League game at the K-Rock Centre.
“It was kind of the plan to go with Incze all week. We kind of wavered last night after how great Stevie (Dhillon) played but it was a quick conversation,” IceDogs coach Billy Burke said. “We have full confidence in Colton. He’s been playing well in games and tonight he was outstanding for us.
“He was our first star for sure.”
Niagara, 15-9-3-2, has won two in a row and six of their last seven.
The IceDogs grabbed a 1-0 lead seven minutes in when Oliver Castleman scored.
The Frontenacs responded with a goal by Brett Neumann two minutes later to tie the game at 1-1.
Danial Singer gave Niagara a 2-1 lead four minutes into the second period.
Kirill Maksimov then scored into an empty net with 1:10 to play and the Frontenacs pushing hard for the equalizer.
Burke said the IceDogs wanted to build on their big win over London Thursday night.
“It was all feel good from last night and build on the success,” Burke said. “Kingston is a very good team, a very stingy team that doesn’t give up a lot of opportunities, so we knew it was going to be a tough job. From Colton on out we stuck to the plan, stuck to what has worked for us the last couple of weeks.
“It was a huge win for us.”
The IceDogs are in Ottawa Saturday.
“Three in threes are tough but 100 per cent the plan is to go into Ottawa and win,” he said. “Anything less than six points, we won’t feel that good on the bus.”
Forward Adrian Carbonara will be back in the lineup after serving his eight-game suspension.
Junior B
Falcons 1 Avalanche 1 2 OT
Double overtime solved nothing as the St. Cathaines Falcons and Ancaster Avalanche played to a 1-1 tie Friday night at Jack Gatecliff Arena.
“It was tough to only get a tie out of that, but it was two good teams battling it out,” St. Catharines coach Dan Fitzgerald said. “We did a lot of good things that we can build on moving forward with a big one coming tomorrow.”
Luke Croucher opened the scoring for the Avs late in the first period.
The Falcons tied the game when Nathan Smilsky scored with just under five minutes to play in the second.
Owen Savory made 41 saves in goal for the Falcons.
St. Catharines, 21-5-1-2, are in Ancaster tonight and travel to Caledonia Wednesday.
Corvairs 9 Canucks 2
The Caledonia Corvairs jumped out to a 4-1 lead after one and cruised to an easy victory over the Niagara Falls Canucks at the Gale Centre Friday.
Adam Craievich paced the Corvairs with three goals and two assists while Jesse Barwell had two goals and four assists. Eddie Schulz also scored twice while Andrew Burns and Josh DeFarias added singles.
Matthew Riva and Owen Green replied for the Canucks.
