IceDogs Can’t Outduel Otters in Shootout

ERIE, PA – The Niagara IceDogs fell to (27-17-3-4) on the season, after a 2-1 Shootout loss against the Erie Otters on Wednesday night.

Both goaltenders were exceptional tonight and were ultimately the story of the game – with 37 saves for Owen Flores in his 150th career OHL game played, and 46 saves for Erie’s Noah Erliden.

The first period of action brought twenty minutes of back-and-forth scoreless play. Owen Flores did his part for Niagara by making an incredible sprawling save of the night to keep it even at 0-0.

The second period brought more of the same, with both teams trading Power Plays back and forth. That was the case until 11:37 into the second frame – when Erie finally broke through the brick wall of Owen Flores to make it 1-0 for the Otters.

The third stanza was hard fought from both sides – with Niagara scratching and clawing for the tying goal. The IceDogs were finally able to break through and tie up the game with just 2:22 left in regulation on a Power Play goal from Andrei Loshko – his 29th marker on the season, to force the game into Overtime.

In the extra frame, both teams exchanged “Grade A” scoring chances which easily could’ve won the game for both sides. This was capped off by a last-second opportunity which found Matthew Virgilio in front of the net all alone, only to get robbed by Noah Erliden. When the dust settled, the game was headed to a Shootout.

The IceDogs were unfortunately unable to score in the Shootout – as Blair Scott, Ivan Galiyanov and Andrei Loshko were all stopped in the three-round affair. Erie’s second shooter, Malcolm Spence scored the only goal of the Shootout to secure the win and extra point for the Otters.

While the result was ultimately disappointing for Niagara, the IceDogs were still able to escape with a single point – a silver lining from Wednesday night’s contest.

The IceDogs are back in action on Valentine’s Day – this Friday, February 14th against the Brantford Bulldogs on the road at the Brantford Civic Centre at 7:00 PM.

Visit niagaraicedogs.net for tickets and more information!