Roobroeck leads IceDogs over Battalion
Ryan Roobroeck collected five points as the Niagara IceDogs topped the North Bay Battalion Thursday night in North Bay. Photo: OHL IMAGES.
Ryan Roobroeck was a one-man wrecking crew Thursday night.
The sophomore winger collected three goals and two assists as the Niagara IceDogs defeated the North Bay Battalion 7-3 in Ontario Hockey League action in North Bay.
Roobroeck’s three-goal outburst came in a span of 5:12 in the second period as Niagara netted five goals in the middle frame to break open a close game.
Roobroeck scored one goal unassisted, one on the power play and one short-handed.
“We’ll make this all about Ryan Roobroeck because he was unbelievable,” IceDogs coach Ben Boudreau said. “There was a demeanour on Ryan Roobroeck, that was the first time I’ve seen it. I mentioned it to the coaching staff before the game. Sometimes you zero into the proverbial zone and what we witnessed was just pure domination and a takeover.”
Roobroeck now has 23 goals and 43 points in 29 games and seems poised to blow by his rookie season total of 28 goals and 51 points.
“I think it was the fastest three goals in IceDogs’ history by one player. I mean, the 501st win for the Ice Dogs and you’re still setting franchise records,” Boudreau said. “Just a very, very cool thing to be able to witness from a front row seat. His ability is limitless as it seems and he’s gaining confidence with every single game. So I can’t wait to see what he has in store for his encore.”
It was the third straight win for the IceDogs who improved to 18-9-1-1. Their road trip continues Friday in Sault Ste. Marie and Sunday afternoon in Sudbury.
“We have not changed our philosophy from the first game. We want to win the week and when you have short-term goals you try to accomplish, it’s going to add up to long-term success,” Boudreau said. “Ultimately we’re trying to make the playoffs and we want to try to win the week. We’ve only lost one week thus far outright so our plan doesn’t change. We win tomorrow and we guarantee that we win the week.”
Andrei Loshko added a pair of goals while Jack Brauti and Kevin He added singles. Ethan Czata chipped in with two assists.
Owen Flores made his 18th straight start in goal for the IceDogs and turned back 54 shots to run his record to 15-7-2.
“It’s almost expected with over 50 saves,” Boudreau said.
The IceDogs stayed in North Bay Thursday and are slated to leave for Sault Ste. Marie at 9 a.m. Friday.
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