Tomasino gets his groove
IceDogs split weekend games against Peterborough
It was a play many veterans of the Ontario Hockey League wouldn’t attempt.
But for 16-year-old Philip Tomasino it might have been his official “I’ve arrived” moment, and it led to an insurance goal as the Niagara IceDogs improved to 3-0 on the season with an impressive 5-1 win over the Peterborough Petes Saturday night at Meridian Centre.
Tomasino, the IceDogs 2017 first round draft-pick (fifth overall) showed no fear, and a ton of confidence, on a one-on-two play — trying to break through two Petes defenders For Peterborough: Jonathan Ang. Game stats: Shots on goal by the IceDogs on Dylan Wells (32); by the Petes on Stephen Dhillon (24) Penalty Minutes: Niagara (12); Peterborough (10).
Powerplays: IceDogs 1-for-3; Petes 1-for-4
Attendance: 4,720
Up Next: The IceDogs welcome Sudbury Thursday night. Puck drop at Meridian Centre is 7 p.m.
— and ultimately setting up Kyle Langdon’s second goal of the season to give Niagara a 3-1 lead 3:55 into the third period.
It took the sails right out of the veteran laden Peterborough lineup.
“I’m starting to play my game,” said Tomasino who has two assists and a plus-4 rating on the season.
“Tonight I felt everything was going right. I just tried to chip the puck through both guys, threw a backhander on net, and was lucky enough to get the rebound and find Langdon out front.”
IceDogs head coach Billy Burke joked about Tomasino’s age and composure so early in his OHL career.
“He was comfortable tonight, but that’s what you expect from a 19-year-old,” Burke said with a smile.
“He’s a stud. He handles pucks in traffic, and you can always kind of tell the special players the way they kind of handle the puck. He makes plays, fits in with any line he’s on, and he’s going to be a star. We’re really lucky to have him.”
The Petes opened the scoring 4:21 into the game. It was the first time Niagara has trailed in a game this season.
Stephen Dhillon shut the door the rest of the way, as the IceDogs held Peterborough to 24 total shots.
“We’ve tweaked some things through the neutral-zone this year that I think we do a better job of limiting rushes, and I think our D’s cap-control was outstanding,” said Burke.
Akil Thomas with his second goal of the season, Danial Singer with what turned out to be the game-winning goal — his second of the campaign — Willy Lochead with his first and Kiril Maksimov with his second of the season rounded out scoring for Niagara.
“I can’t say enough about this group of guys,” said Burke. “They want to win more than they want to get points. It’s a really, really, good room.”
Sunday afternoon the IceDogs battled back from a 4-1 second-period deficit to tie the game 4-4 early in the third only to drop an 8-4 decision to the Petes in the second half of a home and home series.
After tying the game at four Peterborough would score three goals in 1:34 to put the game out of reach.
Thomas finished the game with two goals and one assist to lead Niagara. Maksimov, who now leads the Dogs with seven points in four games, and Zach Shankar with his first in a Niagara uniform also scored for the ’Dogs.
Shankar was also assessed a fiveminute match penalty for slashing in the third period. Match penalties are automatically reviewed by the league, and usually result in suspensions.
Colton Incze was given the start in goal for the IceDogs and allowed all eight goals on 35 shots. Niagara outshot Peterborough 45-35.
Tomasino and Bradey Johnson (both plus-1) were the only Niagara players to finish with a plus-rating in Sunday’s loss.
Dog Biscuits: Jukka Schotter, Joshua Dame, Andrew Somerville, Andrew Bruder, Drew Hunter and Billy Constantinou were scratched for the IceDogs Saturday night … Stephen Dhillon improved to 3-0 with a 1.00 goals against average and .967 save-percentage, making 23 saves to go along with one assist … St. Catharines native and former Niagara North Star Dylan Wells made 27 stops in the loss … Former IceDog Chris Paquette suffered an upper-body injury in Thursday’s win over Oshawa, and did not dress for Peterborogh … The ’Dogs honoured and recognized the upcoming World Girls Hockey Weekend as the Brock Badgers Women’s team, Ridley College Prep Girls team and Jr. Badgers took part in the ceremonial puck-drop along with 2017 Grape King Doug Whitty … Niagara plays another three games in three nights this week … Thursday night the IceDogs are home to Sudbury, Friday night they visit the Generals in Oshawa and Saturday evening they’re in Hamilton to take on the Bulldogs in round two of the K-9 Cup.