IceDogs top Generals in overtime
The Niagara IceDogs edged the Oshawa Generals 3-2 in overtime Friday in Game 1 of their Ontario Hockey League Eastern Conference best-of-seven playoff semifinal series. Photo by VIVID EYE PHOTOGRAPHY.
Jason Robertson came through once again for the Niagara IceDogs.
The veteran winger has been money in the bank since being acquired from the Kingston Frontenacs earlier this season and Friday came through with his biggest goal since joining the IceDogs.
Robertson scored a power-play goal just over four minutes into overtime to give the IceDogs a 3-2 victory over the Oshawa Generals Friday at home in the opener of their Ontario Hockey League Eastern Conference best-of-seven playoff semifinal series.
Game 2 is Sunday at 2 p.m. in St. Catharines.
Robertson’s goal came on a nifty move he looked as though he was going to move the puck behind the net but quickly reversed direction and tucked the puck past Gens goalie Kyle Keyser.
“Going into overtime, I had two or three chances where I could try and stuff it in,” Robertson said. “One time I missed and another where it just went wide so I thought about doing it again.”
IceDogs coach Billy Burke said he wasn’t surprised it was Robertson who buried the winner.
“You go get those guys for this moment. It’s not for the 10-0 game in November, it’s for overtime games in the playoffs.
“The old cliche that big players play big in big games.”
Robertson felt it was vital to get the jump on the Generals in Game 1.
“It’s a big momentum swing. If they would have scored there, we’re down 0-1 in our own barn,” he said. “It’s great for us and great for our team.
“There’s a lot of character in that room so we’re just going to build off that.”
Burke agreed.
“It’s huge,” Burke said. “You don’t want to put too much emphasis on it before the game but in the back of my mind I knew it was a big one.”
Burke said the Gens didn’t do anything to surprise the IceDogs.
“It was pretty much what we expected. They’re a really good team, excellent goaltending and dangerous forwards and good in transition.
“It’s going to be a battle.”
The Gens were missing suspended forward Serron Noel while the IceDogs were without injured forwards Akil Thomas and Kirill Maksimov.
“We jimmied the lines a little bit and kind of shortened the bench a bit,” Burke said.
Burke said both forwards are listed as day-to-day.
“We’ll be seeing both those guys in the series, the sooner the better. Hopefully, we’ll get them back for Sunday but it’s about the 20 guys who are dressed and about getting the job done.”
The Generals wasted no time, scoring off the the opening face off just 13 seconds into the game when Cole Resnick snapped a shot past Stephen Dhillon. The IceDogs quickly responded less than two minutes later when Ben Jones scored on the power play. Niagara held an 18-10 edge in shots.
Grimsby’s Brandon Saigeon gave the Generals a 2-1 lead early in the second with a pretty backhand to the roof of the net before Drew Hunter tied it with his second of the post season off a nice feed from Matthew Phillip. The goal came just after Niagara killed off a two-man advantage.
“That was outstanding. That totally turned the game for us,” Burke said. “Going down 3-1 it would have been a difficult hill to climb.
“It was an outstanding effort. Great saves and a commitment to block shots.”
There was no scoring in a well-played and exciting third. The IceDogs held a 43-24 edge after regulation.
Ice cubes: Akil Thomas, Kirill Maksimov, Jake McGrath and Jonah DiSomone did not dress for the IceDogs . . . Matthew Sbrocco, Matthieu Franche and Serron Noel (suspension) were scratched for the Gens . . . Saigeon and Niagara Falls native Mac Hollowell (Sault Ste. Marie) are two of the six finalists for the OHL overage player of the year . . . A moment of silence was held Kenneth N. Hunter, grandfather of Niagara defenceman Drew Hunter, who passed away recently.
IceDogs 3 Generals 2 OT
BPSN Star of the Game: Niagara winger Jason Robertson with the winner in OT.
Niagara IceDogs: Robertson (3); Ben Jones (2); Drew Hunter (2).
Oshawa Generals: Cole Resnick (3); Brandon Saigeon (2);
Game stats: Shots on goal: By Niagara on Kyle Keyser (50), by Oshawa on Stephen Dhillon (25); Power plays: Niagara 2-for-3, Oshawa 0-for-2; Penalty minutes: Niagara 4, Oshawa 10.
Attendance: 5,300 (sell out).
Up next: Game 2 Sunday at 2 p.m. in St. Catharines.
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