Split decision for IceDogs
The Niagara IceDogs managed only 10 shots on goal in a 6-2 loss at home Sunday. Photo: NIAGARA ICEDOGS
It was an all or nothing weekend for the Niagara IceDogs.
Less than 24 hours after an emotional 5-2 win at Erie that featured the long-awaited return of goaltender Owen Flores, the IceDogs laid an egg Sunday in a 6-2 loss to the Brampton Steelheads at home.
The IceDogs were outshot by a whopping 44-10 margin, managing only a paltry single shot on net in the third period.
“It’s the most disappointed I think I’ve been after a game,” IceDogs coach Ben Boudreau said. “It’s not the result. I’m disappointed in how our players wanted to buy in. We had 13 forwards and five defence with a suspension to (Noah) Van Vliet. Our intention is to get everybody in the last few games and you could just see how the negative effect that had on other players and that went to a me instead of a we type aspect that they weren’t getting their typical minutes. I thought that was reverberated around the team as far as our effort level and I don’t think we got much from anybody up front. It’s tough and you could see that effort level and care level I think in our game through 60 minutes.
“The biggest message for us is control what you can and if you’re a player that wants more minutes, you’ve got to make a difference on the ice too. We tried to spread it out as much as we could with 13 forwards and we didn’t get much from anybody up front here tonight except for Rubes (Ryan Roobroeck).”
The IceDogs are now 29-28-4-4 with three games to play in the regular season.
Boudreau said it is more important to play properly than anything else at this stage.
“We definitely want to win, there’s no question about that. But it’s how we play as a team and control our attitude as a team. We’ve been a me-first type team here for a little while, and we’ve got to get back to doing what it takes to play as a team to win.”
Saturday night Flores was brilliant, kicking out 39 shots while not looking like he had missed a beat despite being off for 10 games with a lower body injury.
Rookie Matthew Humphries got the call Sunday afternoon which had been the plan all along.
“We weren’t going to risk Owen Flores — I wouldn’t say a meaningless game because we want to win — but we’ve clinched the playoffs,” Boudreau said. “We’re either going to end up sixth or seventh and we got in at 1 (a.m.). We’re not going to turn around and put Flores in that type of situation. At the same time, Humphries needs to play as a young rookie and get his experience. He’s got to just keep on grinding.”
Ice cubes: Noah Van Vliet, Andrew Wycisk, Charlie Robertson, Rafek Dianov, Nick Frasca did not dress for the IceDogs . . . Saturday in Erie, Kevin He had two goals whole Roobroeck, Sean Doherty and Blake Arrowsmith also scored.
With files from the Armchair GM’s Sports Network.
STATS PACK
Steelheads 6 IceDogs 2
Niagara IceDogs: Ryan Roobroeck (40); Blair Scott (2).
Brampton Steelheads: Carson Rehkopf (41); Gabriel Chiarot (17); Lucas Karmiris (13); Kieran Witkowski (11); Aidan Lane (6); Konnor Smith (6).
Game stats: Shots on goal: By Niagara on Jack Ivankovic (10), by Brampton on Matthew Humphries (44); Power plays: Niagara 0/3, Brampton 0/3; Penalty minutes: Niagara 10, Brampton 10.
Attendance: 4,074
Next up: The IceDogs play their last two regular season home games Thursday against Ottawa and Friday against North Bay. They conclude the regular season Saturday in Barrie.
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