3rd Period Goals Propel Colts Past Ice Dogs
After dropping their first game of the season Thursday night at home, the Colts were on the road for their second game in as many days, visiting the Niagara Ice Dogs.
In an exciting back and forth game, the Colts would ultimately come out on top, scoring three goals late in the third period to push them past the Ice Dogs with a 4-1 win. With the win, the Colts move to 3-1-0-0 on the season.
The Colts would get on the board first with a first period tally from Kevin Labanc and they would hold on to that 1-0 lead until the Ice Dogs scored their only goal of the game in the early minutes of the 3rd period on the power play. In the second half of the 3rd period, the Colts would put the pressure on and score three goals, two of which were only 24 seconds apart. Brandon Prophet and Justin Scott would each score their first goals of the season, while Cordell James would score the fourth goal.
In goal, Mackenzie Blackwood made 25 saves on 26 shots, with plenty of those saves coming at crucial times. Brent Morant for the Ice Dogs faced 30 shots, stopping 26 of those on the night.
Early in the first period, both teams would have their goal scoring chances, but it wouldn’t be until the second half of the period when the speed picked up and the chances increased. In goal for the Colts, Blackwood made key saves to keep the game tied, while Lucas Chiodo had a breakaway opportunity for the Colts in the last minute and a half. Chiodo nearly beat Brent Moran on the fake to his forehand, but couldn’t put it past Moran’s sprawling pad.
With 30 seconds left in the period, Labanc would bury his second goal of the season. Breaking into the Ice Dogs zone, Labanc dropped the puck to Andersson in the slot. The rebound from Andersson’s shot was batted out of the air by an Ice Dogs defenseman, but Labanc crashed the net and buried the loose puck. Julius Nattinen would also grab his first of two assists on the night from Labanc’s goal.
At the end of the first period, the Colts held the 1-0 lead with the shots 13-10 in favour of the Ice Dogs.
The second period would continue at the same quick pace from the end of the first period. With less than 9 minutes to go, after a big save from Blackwood, the Colts quickly transitioned the other way. Ben Hawerchuk, Nattinen and Roy Radke broke in 3 on 1 and Nattinen fed Radke trailing. Despite getting a quick shot off, Moran saw the shot through traffic and made the save.
In the last minute of the second period, Nattinen avoided a hit on the Ice Dogs blue line, broke into the zone and ripped a shot on net. The shot squeaked through Moran’s five-hole, but Josh Ho-Sand was there at the right time to sweet the puck off of the goal line to prevent the goal. The score would stay 1-0 for the Colts after 40 minutes of play.
The Colts lead would be broken only 46 seconds into the third period when the Ice Dogs captain, Anthony DiFruscia, found the back of the net on the power play. Jordan Maletta made a pass from the goal line out to DiFruscia in the slot. DiFruscia beat Blackwood for his third goal of the season and the third assist went to Ho-Sang.
But with 6:58 to go in the 3rd period, Labanc got a shot on net and the rebound came right to Prophet who put home his first goal of the season. Labanc and Scott assisted on Prophet’s game winning goal, giving the Colts a 2-1 lead late in the third period.
The next play, Prophet and Matt Gillard each received minor penalties after a tussle, leading to some 4 on 4 action. Only 24 seconds after the Colts go-ahead goal, they would add another goal to extend their lead to 3-1. Scott would get the puck in the slot from Mangiapane and he made no mistake, scoring his first goal of the season. Michael Webster also assisted on the Colts 3rd goal.
With 1:22 to go in the game, the Colts would add a power play goal when James buried his second of the season. A nice passing play between Nattinen, Prophet and James would end with James putting it home to solidify the Colts 4-1 win.
Both teams went 1 for 3 on their power play opportunities tonight.
The Colts return to the BMC Saturday, October 3rd to take on the Kingston Frontenacs. Saturday’s game will finish off the Colts first three-in-three weekend of the regular season. For tickets, visit the BMC Box Office, or click here to purchase tickets online.
Scoring Summary
1. BAR – K. Labanc, (2) (R. Andersson, J. Nattinen), 19:29
3. NIAG – A. DiFruscia, (3) (J. Maletta, J. Ho-Sang), 0:46 (PP)
3. BAR – B. Prophet, (1) (K. Labanc, J. Scott), 13:02
3. BAR – J. Scott, (1) (A. Mangiapane, M. Webster), 13:26
3. BAR – C. James, (2) (J. Nattinen, B. Prophet), 18:38 (PP)
