Otters edge IceDogs in shootout
The Niagara IceDogs dropped a 2-1 decision in overtime Wednesday in Erie. Photo: OHL IMAGES.
The Niagara IceDogs did everything but come up with two points versus the Erie Otters Wednesday.
The IceDogs turned in a solid overall effort but dropped a 2-1 decision in a shootout to extend their losing streak to five games. Three of those losses have been by either a shootout or in overtime.
IceDogs head coach Ben Boudreau had no issues with the effort.
“There wasn’t a single area of the game that the coaches couldn’t be pleased,” he said. “Our guys should keep their heads up. They played so hard; we almost had 50 shots on net. We executed our special teams extremely well.”
Erie goaltender Noah Erliden turned back 46 shots, including several point blank opportunities in overtime.
“You have to give credit when sometimes credit is due,” Boudreau said. “He was phenomenal. I think we had six chances to end it in overtime on breakaways and slot chances and two-on-ones and we didn’t do it.”
At the other end of the ice, Owen Flores was equally impressive, kicking out 37 shots in his 150th start in the Ontario Hockey League.
Following a scoreless first period, the Otters got on the board when Carey Terrance netted his 20th at the 11:37 mark.
The score stayed that way and it appeared the IceDogs would be blanked for the first time this year until Andrei Loshko scored a power-play goal with just over two minutes remaining in the game.
In the shootout, Blair Scott, Ivan Galiyanov and Loshko all came up empty.
The IceDogs have scored only goal in a shootout this season.
“We’re looking for anybody and everybody. We started doing shootout practises and keeping the winners. And obviously, Blair Scott won the first one and Galiyanov won the second one and Loshko won the third one,” Boudreau said. “Trying to switch things up and just keep trying to find solutions here on how to win.”
The IceDogs are in Brantford Friday and home to the Bulldogs Sunday at 2 p.m followed by a Family Day matinee in Brampton Monday at 2 p.m.
“We’ve got to be ready for this game,” Boudreau said. “They are firing on all cylinders. It’s not an easy weekend. Brampton, too, it seems like they’ve figured it out so we’ve got some nightmare opponents coming up here. If we’re not at our best, we’re not going to get out of this thing. We’ve got to make sure we’re ready to go.”
The IceDogs, 27-17-3-4, sit in fifth place in the Eastern Conference, six points out of third.
With files from the Armchair GM’s Sports Network.
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