IceDogs Secure Two Massive Points in Rivalry Game vs BullDogs
Hamilton made the trip down the QEW for the final regular season instalment of the Dog Fight. The last time these two teams met, the IceDogs pulled out an exciting 4-3 win in Hamilton. Coming into tonight’s game, the pace had been set for what was sure to be a heated battle between the two dogs.
Hamilton capitalized early in the first period, taking the 2-0 lead into the 2nd period. To start the 2nd, Pavel Demin snuck his 3rd goal of the season just past Dawson Carty to cut the Bulldogs’ lead to 1. Justin MacPherson picked up the assist on Demin’s marker. Minutes later, the IceDogs found themselves on the powerplay, and who else scored the equalizer, but the captain! Just seconds into the good dogs’ powerplay, Ryan Mantha went bardown off a one timer from the blueline to pull the IceDogs to a 2-2 tie over halfway through the second period. Ben Jones and Akil Thomas assisted on the goal. Thomas’ assist on Mantha’s equalizer was his 42nd point of the season, setting a franchise record for points by a rookie in a single season. The 2-2 score held going into the 3rd period.
In the 3rd period, both teams came out flying, which lead to plenty of physical play and shots on net by both teams, but regulation proved to not be enough time. Like regulation, overtime solved nothing, and we needed a shootout to decide tonight’s battle of the dogs. Akil Thomas and Kirill Maksimov scored two goals, while Stephen Dhillon made two huge saves to secure the win!
The IceDogs continue a busy home weekend Sunday night as they welcome the North Bay Battalion to town for a 2:00pm puck drop.
Tickets are still available for Sunday’s game and can be purchased online HERE or in person at the following locations:
IceDogs Meridian Centre Offices 905-687-3641
Meridian Centre Box Office
Pen Centre Customer Service
Seaway Mall Customer Service
Courtyard by Marriott Niagara Falls shots on goal:
Niagara: 40
Hamilton: 56
Big Marco’s Pizza Three Stars of the Game:
1st star: Stephen Dhillon
2nd star: Ryan Mantha
3rd star: Pavel Demin
