IceDogs top Wolves in opener
IceDogs Kyen Sopa celebrates after scoring in the first period Thursday night versus the Sudbury Wolves. Photo by: ALEX LUPUL PHOTOGRAPHY.
The Niagara IceDogs are expecting big things from Oliver Castleman this season.
The IceDogs chose to retain the over-age forward instead of Bradey Johnson, thanks in large part to his offensive upside.
Castleman more than held up his end Thursday with a pair of points as the IceDogs topped the Sudbury Wolves 6-3 in the 2019/20 Ontario Hockey League opener for both teams in St. Catharines.
Castleman, who netted 21 goals and 40 points in 62 games last season, will be counted on to top those numbers this season with so much firepower having moved on.
Castleman feels he is up for the challenge.
“It’s a big step for me,” he said. “It feels like there’s a lot of pressure on my back but I can’t take it that way. I just have to play my game.
“They’re leaning on me for a reason. I have to have confidence in myself and confidence in the guys around me. Everyone is here for a reason.”
The IceDogs also expect Castleman to be more of a leader and this week named him an assistant captain.
“It’s a big step,” he said. “It’s a big role for me but I’m really looking forward to being a leader and helping the young guys get their feet wet this year.”
Castleman was one of five over-age players on the roster when camp began. The IceDogs ended up dealing Johnson to Hamilton and Jacob Paquette to Peterborough to get down to the maximum three 20-year-olds.
“I saw some tweets in the summer to be honest and I was kind of scared but I came into camp and played my game and (wanted to) work hard and hopefully earn a spot and good things happened.”
Castleman skated on a line with Phil Tomasino and Kyen Sopa and the veteran trio clicked immediately combining for four goals and seven scoring points.
“He’s a huge player for us,” IceDogs coach Billy Burke said of Castleman. “He competes hard, can fly, and has good hands.
“I thought they (line) really stirred the drink for us.”
Christian Sbaraglia made the start in net for the IceDogs and was outstanding kicking out 29 of 31 shots before leaving with a suspected leg cramp at the 13:07 mark of the third with the IceDogs up 3-2. Tucker Tynan took over and permitted only one goal on 11 shots to finish up.
“Did Christian ever look great and then Tucker came in— once you guys get to know Tucker’s personality you’ll see nothing rattles him — but just an outstanding performance by our goaltenders,” Burke said. “There were times when we were kind of scrambly in our end but our goaltenders really stood tall and gave the whole team a lot of confidence.”
The IceDogs outscored the Wolves 3-2 in a wide open first period that saw Sudbury hold a 16-14 edge in shots. The teams exchanged early goals before Castleman and Jake Uberti scored nine seconds apart to give Niagara a 3-1 lead. Jack Thompson replied later in the period to narrow the IceDogs’ lead to one goal.
Tomasino was awarded a penalty shot late in the second after he was pulled down on a breakaway but came up empty. The Wolves held a 13-8 edge in shots in the scoreless second frame.
Tomasino made up for it in the third when he converted a perfect three-way passing play with Sopa and Castleman. Seconds later, Andrew Bruder poked in a loose puck to give Niagara a 5-2 lead. The teams then exchanged goals to round out the scoring.
Burke was thrilled to get a win on opening night.
“It feels great. It feels as good as any win we’ve had over the last couple of years,” he said. “I’m really proud of these guys. The guys showed tremendous leadership.”
Ice cubes: Akil Thomas (Kings camp), Landon Cato (ill), Ryan Campbell and Josh Rosenzweig were scratched for the IceDogs . . . David Levin, Blake McConville, Peter Stratis and Kosta Manikis did not dress for the Wolves . . . The pre-game meal served to the press, scouts and certain staff has been upgraded significantly. The meal is the responsibility of the home team . . . The IceDogs raised their Central Division banner before the game . . . The Wolves have two NHL picks on their roster, Kalle Loponen (Toronto) and Blake Murray (Carolina).
IceDogs 6 Wolves 3
BPSN Star of the Game: Niagara forward Oliver Castleman with a goal and an assist.
Niagara IceDogs: Oliver Castleman, Phil Tomasino 2; Kyen Sopa, Jake Uberti, Andrew Bruder.
Sudbury Wolves: Quinton Byfield 2; Jack Thompson.
Game stats: Shots on goal: By Niagara on Christian Purboo/Mitchell Weeks (38), by Sudbury on Christian Sbaraglia/Tucker Tynan (44); Power plays: Niagara 2-for-3, Sudbury 0-for-1; Penalty minutes: Niagara 6, Sudbury 10.
Attendance: 4,753
Up next: At Mississauga Friday at 7 p.m. Home to Oshawa Thursday, Sept. 26.
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