’Dogs enter break on a winning note
Niagara achieves team goal of reaching 20-win milestone
Christmas came early for the Niagara IceDogs, and we’re not just talking about the special jerseys the Ontario Hockey League team got to wear Saturday night in its final game before the holiday break.
Not only did a 6-2 victory over the visiting Oshawa Generals ease the disappointment of 3-2 overtime road loss to the London Knights the night before, but it also met a team goal of having 20 wins heading into the break.
“I think 20 wins at the break is always a great milestone,” IceDogs head coach Billy Burke said. “It certainly was something in the back of my mind.
“Thirteen games ago we made a team goal, to try to win nine of our last 13, which would have put us to 19 wins on the season.”
The whistle-to-whistle win was Niagara’s sixth in seven games and extended a streak of earning at least a point to seven games.
“We’re certainly hitting our stride now,” Burke said. “But the thing I am more impressed with is seven regulation losses at this point is outstanding.”
Last year, the IceDogs lost their final game before the Christmas break.
“To win it and to end on a bit of a run here and be feeling good about ourselves, it’s very exciting,” Burke said. “It’s going to set us up for right where we want to be.”
Sophomore forward Philip Tomasino and team captain Ben Jones, in his third season with IceDogs, celebrated individual
milestones when Niagara improved to 20-7-5-0 and earned a split in the season series versus Oshawa with one win apiece.
Tomasino, the game’s first star, collected a career-high five points, while Jones netted the second hat trick of his OHL career, and the second in less than a month.
“I think our whole team is kind of in a groove right now,” Tomasino said, sharing credit for his latest strong performance with teammates. “Everyone has been battling really hard.
“It’s definitely a great effort.” He suggested playing on a line with Akil Thomas — “Arguably, the best player in the league” — has helped his game significantly.
“I think over the last 10 games I’ve elevated my game, but I think that goes for the whole team,” Tomasino said. “Everyone has to stick to the team plan, and doing the right thing to help the team win.”
Shots on net in the first period were seven aside, but the IceDogs were more successful capitalizing on their chances. Niagara took a 2-0 lead into the break on goals from Jones, on the power play; Tomasino, even
“I think over the last 10 games I’ve elevated my game, but I think that goes
for the whole team.”
PHILIP TOMASINO
Niagara IceDogs forward
strength.
The Generals’ Eric Henderson, the IceDogs’ Matthew Philip traded goals in a second period in which shots on net were 17-13 in favour of Niagara.
Oshawa outshot the IceDogs 14-6 in the final frame, but the hosts made more of theirs count outscoring the Gens 3-1. Tomasino, Jones, power play, empty net; tallied for Niagara, Giovanni Vallati, power play; replied for Oshawa.
Niagara only plays the Generals twice during the regular season despite being in the same conference. Oshawa opened the home-and-home series Nov. 18 with a 4-3 victory in overtime.
Oshawa beat the visiting Hamilton Bulldogs 7-1 the night before and was going for its third win in a row.
Coming into Saturday night’s game, only one point separated third-seeded Niagara, 19-7-5-0; and No. 4 seed Oshawa, 20-10-2-0; in the Eastern Conference standings, but the IceDogs have a game in hand.
Niagara took the ice against Oshawa wearing Christmasthemed jerseys.
The one-off sweaters were auctioned off after the game with all proceeds going to Community Cares of St. Catharines and Thorold.
Niagara was playing its third game in as many nights hoping to rebound from a 3-2 road loss in overtime to the London Knights and extend a point streak to seven games. The ’Dogs had won five in a row before falling to 0-5 in games decided in overtime.
While the IceDogs are 1-0 in shootouts, they are winless in overtime games, going 0-4 on the road, 0-1 at home.”
“Some more overtime bad luck for us,” Burke said in his postgame comments from London. “It’s too bad.
“We’re just so happy that come playoff time, overtime is five-onfive.
“Five-on-five, I thought we were the better team tonight.”
At London, Ont., Ivan Lodnia, Oliver Castleman, power play; found the back of the net as Niagara outshot the hosts 40-28. Nathan Dunkley, one-time IceDogs defenceman Willie Lochead, power play; and Josh Nelson, the game-winner 2:40 into three-onthree overtime; scored for the Knights who never led in the game.
’Dog Biscuits: Daniel Bukac, D, world juniors, Czech Republic; Lleyton Moore, D, lower-body injury; Jason Robertson, RW, world juniors, U.S.; Kyen Sopa, RW, world juniors, Switzerland; were out of the Niagara lineup. Ian Blacker, D; Cole Ceci, G; Nando Eggenberger, LW; Nico Gross, D; Kyle Keyser, G; Jack Studnicka, C; did not dress for Oshawa … Matt Brassard, D, Vancouver; Gross, N.Y. Rangers; Keyser, Florida, free agent; Allan McShane, LW, Montreal; Anthony Salinitri, LW, Philadelphia; Noel Serron, RW, Florida; Studnicka, Boston; Giovanni Villati, D, Winnipeg; are the NHL prospects currently on the Generals roster
Bernd.Franke @niagaradailies.com 905-225-1624 | @TribSportsDesk