Six-point stretch
Stephen Dhillon records first shutout of the season as IceDogs beat Ottawa on the road
It’s shaping up to be a December to remember for the Niagara IceDogs.
The Ontario Hockey League team so far has played five games this month and has won four of them, including the past three in a row.
Their latest victory — and seventh in the last 11 games — came Saturday night in Ottawa, where the IceDogs blanked the 67’s 3-0 to wrap up a two-game road swing through eastern Ontario.
Matthew Philip, Danial Singer and Elijah Roberts each scored a goal, and Stephen Dhillon stopped 29 shots for his first shutout of the season and third of his OHL career.
Niagara head coach Billy Burke was pleased the team’s workhorse between the pipes was able to add another zero to his resume.
“He’s legitimately one of the top three best goalies in the league, and I know shutouts are something every goalie strives for,” Burke said. “It’s the third of his career, and I hope it won’t be the last.
“He’s a huge part of our team, a great leader off the ice.”
Dhillon earned first star honours, but he had plenty of competition for the accolade. Equally worthy of consideration were the IceDogs defence, which blocked many shots before they even reached the goaltender, and the Niagara penalty kill, which held Ottawa scoreless on four power-play opportunities.
“The penalty kill was outstanding today,” Burke said. “They were making plays without even looking because they know where each other are.”
Only the Sarnia Sting, with an 88.5 per cent efficiency; have been more successful than Niagara in killing penalties. Thanks to associate coach Ted Dent’s work with the team between games at practice, the IceDogs have managed to keep opponents off the scoreboard 85.9 per cent of the time when they have a man advantage.
“Ted has done an outstanding job making sure he has them prepared,” Burke said. “His system is super effective and guys are buying in.”
A combination of factors, all falling together at the right time, is contributing to the team’s success of late in a very competitive league.
“It’s tough, it’s a fine line between winning and losing,” Burke said. “You definitely need a little luck, and our goaltenders have been great.
“When we need them, they’re stepping up for up for us.”
Nineteen players have at least one goal for the IceDogs this season, led by Kirill Maksimov, Singer and Ben Jones with 18, 12 and 11 goals, respectively.
“We’re getting goals throughout the lineup at big times,” Burke said.
“The guys care about each other, they about winning. They care about each other. We’re all on the same page right now.”
Dhillon improved his record between the Niagara pipes this season to 15-5-2-2 and with his star turn against the 67’s lowered his goalsagainst average to 2.75 while increasing his save percentage to .910.
The IceDogs, 16-9-3-2 in league play; moved into a tie with the Barrie Colts, 17-9-2-1; for first place in the Central Division and third overall in the Eastern Conference. Both teams have 37 points, but Barrie has a game in hand.
Philips’ seventh goal of the season gave the IceDogs a 1-0 lead 1:33 into the game as the IceDogs took to the ice for the third game in three nights.
With 20 seconds remaining in the first period, Singer scored on the power play giving Niagara a twogoal lead.
The St. Catharines native’s 12th goal of the season was his second on the power play in as many days. He also scored with the IceDogs a man up in a 3-1 road win versus the Kingston Frontenacs Friday night.
Shots in the opening period favoured Niagara by a 14-11 margin.
The second period was scoreless, with the IceDogs again having the edge in shots on goal, 10-6.
Ottawa outshot Niagara 12-6 in the third period, but was unable to get anything past Dhillon.
The lone goal in the final frame came with 2:10 remaining in regulation on Roberts’ empty-netter. It was the defenceman’s second marker of the campaign.
’Dog Biscuits: Second-year Niagara forward Oliver Castleman is from Gloucester, which since 2001 has been part of the City of Ottawa … All bears tossed on the ice after Niagara’s first goal at next Friday night’s Teddy Bear Toss Game will be donated to Victim Services Niagara … Game-worn “ugly sweater” jerseys will be auctioned off after a home game against the Barrie Colts the following night. Proceeds will go to Community Care.