Roobroeck Scores A Hat-Trick As IceDogs Defeat Battalion In Dramatic Fashion
NIAGARA, ON – Ryan Roobroeck records his first career hat-trick and Gavin Bryant records his 100th career point in a four point effort as IceDogs beat Battalion in front of 5,021 fans at the Meridian Centre. With the win the IceDogs managed to grab five of the possible six points on the weekend.
Final Score: NIA 6 – NB 4
Starting Goaltenders: Mike McIvor (North Bay) – Charlie Robertson (Niagara)
It would be a slow start to this contest for both sides as they struggled to find any significant scoring opportunities in the opening ten minutes. The period would see a shift when Battalion forward, Owen Van Steensel slid an innocent looking shot past Charlie Robertson to open the scoring. Van Steensel, alongside his line mates, Anthony Romani and Dalyn Wakely would add another shortly after to make it 2-0. The line would combine for six points on the two goals as North Bay led 2-0 heading into the second.
The IceDogs were looking to avenge the two goal deficit from the opening period and they would get off on the right foot as Ryan Roobroeck wired from the top of the circles just 51 seconds into the frame. Kevin He would start the play in the neutral zone as he found Gavin Bryant in the offensive who eventually found the stick of Roobroeck for the goal. It would take over ten minutes of play but the IceDogs would eventually find an equalizer through the stick of Ivan Galiyanov as he batted home the rebound from an Urban Podrekar shot. The rookie showcase would continue for the IceDogs as Ryan Roobroeck slammed home the puck backdoor on the powerplay for his second of the game and period to put the IceDogs ahead. All three goals coming from rookie forwards in that period for the IceDogs. However, with the period winding down the Battalion would even the game back up as the Romani, Wakely, Van Steensel line once again combined on a goal to make it 3-3.
The third period would provide all sorts of dramatics as the period would start with a georgouse end-to-end rush by Callum Cheynowski as he beat several defenders and the goalie to put the IceDogs back ahead. It would only be several minutes later when the IceDogs would their biggest lead of the night as Ryan Roobroeck wired one home for the hat-trick and the two goal lead. This would be Roobroeck’s first career OHL hat-trick as the 16-year old is only two goals shy of matching the franchise rookie goal record held by Akil Thomas and Kevin He at 21 goals. However, the Battalion were showing no quit as Owen Van Steensel capped off a four point night with his second goal of the game to make it 5-4. After some tense moments the captain, Gavin Bryant, was able to find the empty net to cap a four point night of his own. The goal would be his 100th career OHL point.
First Period Scoring Summary:
1-0 (North Bay Goal): Owen Van Steensel (25), Assists: Anthony Romani (36), Dalyn Wakely (43)
2-0 (North Bay Goal): Anthony Romani (41), Assists: Owen Van Steensel (30), Dalyn Wakely (44)
Shots: NB 10 – NIA 10
Second Period Scoring Summary:
2-1 (Niagara Goal): Ryan Roobroeck (17), Assists: Gavin Bryant (21), Kevin He (17)
2-2 (Niagara Goal): Ivan Galiyanov (4), Assists: Urban Podrekar (12), Masen Wray (5)
3-2 (Niagara Goal): Ryan Roobroeck (18), Assists: Gavin Bryant (22), Urban Podrekar (13) PPG
3-3 (North Bay Goal): Anthony Romani (42), Assists: Owen Van Steensel (31), Dalyn Wakely (45)
Shots: NB 20 – NIA 18
Third Period Scoring Summary:
4-3 (Niagara Goal): Callum Cheynowski (2) PPG
5-3 (Niagara Goal): Ryan Roobroeck (19), Assists: Gavin Bryant (23), Kevin He (18)
5-4 (North Bay Goal): Owen Van Steensel (26), Assist: Dalyn Wakely (46)
6-4 (Niagara Goal): Gavin Bryant (13)
Shots: NB 37 – NIA 27
Three Stars of the Game:
- Ryan Roobroeck (3 goals)
- Gavin Bryant (1 goal, 3 assists)
- Owen Van Steensel (2 goals, 2 assists)
Full Game Box Score Here!
