IceDogs Beat by Battalion on Overager Night
NIAGARA, ON – The Niagara IceDogs fell to (29-30-4-4) on the season after a 5-4 loss to the North Bay Battalion on Friday night in their final home game of the regular season.
North Bay got off to a quick start, striking early with a goal from Ihnat Pazii just 2:52 into the first period. However, Niagara responded late in the frame when Ivan Galiyanov buried his 11th of the season, finishing off a nice feed from Sean Doherty and Max Crete at 16:04 to even the score at 1-1 heading into the first intermission.
The Battalion regained the lead in the second period though, as Ethan Procyszyn capitalized at 5:29. However, the IceDogs clawed back once again, with Ryan Roobroeck converting on a power-play goal at 8:22, off assists from Ethan Czata and Matthew Virgilio.
Niagara carried the momentum into the third period, as Kevin He gave the IceDogs the lead just 53 seconds into the final frame, finishing a setup from Andrei Loshko and Ryan Roobroeck. However, North Bay quickly answered back with two goals in a 20-second span from Nick Wellenreiter and Andrew LeBlanc to take a 4-3 lead.
The IceDogs kept fighting, and in a special moment for overager Noah Van Vliet, he rifled home the tying goal at 10:22, once again assisted by Ryan Roobroeck. But it was ultimately North Bay who would have the final say, as Lirim Amidovski netted the game-winner at 14:41 to edge out the IceDogs 5-4.
It was an emotional night at the Meridian Centre, as the IceDogs faithful honoured the team’s 20-year-old overage players, Owen Flores, Noah Van Vliet, and Andrei Loshko, in a pre-game ceremony as part of Overager and Fan Appreciation Night.
Niagara will close out their regular season on the road tomorrow, March 22nd against the Barrie Colts at 7:30 PM as they look to finish strong before the beginning of playoffs.
Visit niagaraicedogs.net for tickets and more information!
