Steelheads blank IceDogs
The Niagara IceDogs remain winless after dropping a 2-0 decision to the Mississauga Steelheads in Ontario Hockey League action Thursday night at Meridian Centre.
The IceDogs are now 0-3 after losing a pair of games to London last week to kick off the regular season and have scored just three goals so far this season.
“I think we’re a little snake-bitten there,” IceDogs coach Ryan Kuwabara said. “We just re-watched some of the Grade A chances we had. We have to find a way to put the puck in the net. You can’t get mad at them, the effort was definitely there, we just have to find a way to score goals.”
Niagara outshot Mississauga 15-8 in a scoreless first period before Steelheads captain Chas Sharpe beat Niagara goaltender Owen Flores on a breakaway in the second period to open the scoring.
The IceDogs pressed late on the power play in the third for the equalizer before Steelheads defenceman Finn Harding found the empty from his own zone for the insurance marker.
Flores made 30 saves in a losing effort.
“Guys have a lot of confidence in both our goalies,” Kuwabara said. “His performance tonight was outstanding. He did everything we asked him to do.”
Ice cubes: Ryan VanNetten, William Stewart, Andrew Vermulen and Ivan Galiyanov did not dress for the IceDogs.
STATS PACK
Steelheads 2 IceDogs 0
Niagara goaltender Owen Flores and Mississauga netminder Ryerson Leenders.
Niagara IceDogs: No scoring.
Mississauga Steelheads: Chas Sharpe (2); Finn Harding (1).
Game stats: Shots on goal: By Niagara on Ryerson Leenders (29), by Mississauga on Owen Flores (30); Power plays: Niagara 0/5, Mississauga 0/3; Penalty minutes: Niagara 8, Mississauga 12.
Attendance: 2,593
Next up: IceDogs visit Barrie Saturday before hosting Erie Thursday and Kingston next Saturday.
With files from Armchair GM’s Sports Network.
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