Colts Battle Back and go the Distance Against IceDogs
For the second time this season, the IceDogs visited the Barrie Molson Centre to take on the Colts on a rare Monday night game. In their previous three meetings so far this season, with two taking place in St. Catharine’s, the IceDogs had the upper hand, earning two wins over the Colts one.
But, Monday night, despite playing from behind for the majority of the game, the Colts battled back and tied the game with under a minute to play in the third period. And after an overtime that couldn’t solve anything, the Colts ultimately came out on top in the shoot out.
Kevin Labanc had two goals and an assist for the Colts, while Justin Scott had one goal and two assists. Anthony Stefano also scored for the Colts, and Rasmus Andersson, Roy Radke, Matt Brassard and Michael Webster also tallied assists in the win. Andrew Mangiapane would score the game-winning goal in the shootout, as he was the lone player between both squads to find the back of the net. In goal, Daivd Ovsjannikov stopped 41 of the 45 shots he faced on the night, as well as shutting the door on all three shoot out shot’s that he saw.
Past the midway point of the first period, the IceDogs would find the back of the net when the puck came to the slot to Jordan Maletta. Maletta fired a shot on net, but after a small scrum in the slot, Josh Ho-Sang found the loose puck and buried his 12th goal of the season.
Carrying a 1-0 lead into the second period, the IceDogs would extend their lead when again, Maletta and Ho-Sang would connect, but with Maletta potting the goal this time. Johnny Corneil also assisted on the IceDogs goal to give them a 2-0 lead with under nine minutes to play in the second period.
But, not even two minutes later, the Colts answered when Brassard made a great effort to keep the puck in the offensive end and got it down low to Radke. Radke in turn made a great move in the slot and fed Stefano, who made no mistake for his 10th goal of the season, cutting the lead to 2-1.
Then, with 3:33 left in the second period, Labanc and Scott were sprung on a 2-on-1. After Labanc fed Scott going down the left side, Scott ripped a shot far side to beat Stephen Dhillon for his 11th goal of the season.
The Colts wouldn’t be able to escape the second period with a tie though. With 23 seconds remaining in the period, Josh Wesley danced through the Colts defenders and beat Ovsjannikov. Wesley’s goal was his fourth of the season and would give the IceDogs a 3-2 lead heading into the third.
Only 53 seconds into the third period, Kevin Labanc would redirect Scott’s one-timer from the top of the circles past Dhillon, to again tie the game. Andersson would pick up the assist on the goal as he fed Scott for the shot.
Despite holding on to the tie for the majority of the period and generating numerous chances, the Colts lost the lead with less than eight minutes to play. Ovsjannikov came out to play the puck near the top of the circles, but Ho-Sang batted it out of the air. Ho-Sang ultimately threw it on the empty net for his second goal of the game, giving the IceDogs a 4-3 lead.
With a minute to play in the game, the Colts pulled Ovsjannikov for an extra attacker. Webster threw the puck on net, and after a scramble in front, Labanc put home his second goal of the period to tie the game at 4-4. Scott also assisted the tying goal.
After an overtime that saw the Colts put 6 shots on net, with the IceDogs shooting 5 of their own, the game needed overtime.
Mangiapane would be the lone player to score a shoot out goal, giving the Colts a 5-4 shootout win. The win moves the Colts to 20-12-0-1 on the season, and puts them in 1st in the Central Division, one point ahead of the Steelheads.
Neither team could make good on their power play chances on the night, as the Colts went 0 for 1 and the IceDogs went 0 for 4.
The Colts return to the BMC on Thursday, December 31st for their annual New Years Eve game. Following the game, fans will be able to stick around and skate with the Colts. For tickets to the game, visit the BMC Box Office or click here.
