Outage on offence
Niagara IceDogs having trouble scoring when playing at even strength
The Niagara IceDogs ended the weekend on a losing note dropping a 4-1 decision to the Steelheads Sunday afternoon in Mississauga.
Even strength the score was 1-1, but the Steelheads scored two power-play goals and one shorthanded marker as they won their third in a row and fourth in five starts.
Burke didn’t think the IceDogs took any unnecessary penalties, nor did he fault the penalty-killing unit for the team’s fourth loss in a row and second straight in regulation.
“I thought our discipline was pretty good actually,” he said.
“Our PK has been great, it’s been a backbone all year.”
Burke, whose team’s scoring in a 5-2 loss Saturday night at home to the Sudbury Wolves was limited to Kirill Maksimov’s goal and Ben Jones’ shorthanded marker, said the IceDogs needs to work to become a five-man offensive unit.
“It’s kind of the way things go up and down over the course of the season, but you don’t obviously want anything to linger.”
In addition to focusing on generating more opportunities on offence, Burke said the IceDogs intend to focus on tightening up play on special teams.
“I also think we can be a better shot-blockling team, so that’s something we are going to work on next week for sure.”
The Ontario Hockey League team’s second loss in less than 24 hours marked the beginning of a stretch of five road games.
Niagara, 7-4-2-1, won’t be back on the ice at Meridian Centre in St. Catharines until Thursday, Nov. 16, when they host the Kingston Frontenacs.