IceDogs Dazzle in Home Opener
NIAGARA, ON – The Niagara IceDogs’ perfect start to their season continued in an impressive, 7-3 win over the Canadian Hockey League’s top-ranked team, the Brampton Steelheads.
Game Highlight Video Below:
Niagara improved to (4-0) on the season and handed the Steelheads their first loss of the campaign. The visitors opened the scoring 18 seconds into the contest, but it was all IceDogs after that.
Kevin He led the way with the hat-trick and six points, while Max Crete (two goals) and Andrei Loshko (two assists) added a pair of points apiece. “Kevin is on another level right now,” said Niagara head Coach Ben Boudreau. “He’s been a difference maker in every single game.”
Ethan Czata and Ryan Roobroeck chipped in with single tallies.
“Look back to the start of the season and we’ve had different players step up every single night, and that’s why we’ve been preaching the team concept first, and so far it’s worked out,” Boudreau said.
The game even featured an old-school goalie fight between Owen Flores and Jack Ivankovic.
“I was proud of Flores for sticking up for his teammates,” said Boudreau. “Maybe I change my mind if it’s a one goal game but at that time, that showed the team commitment to each other, and we all played for one another. So I don’t look at it as just a goalie fight, I look at it as a team coming together, and playing for one another. It was great to see.”
The IceDogs next see action at home, Friday night October 11th against the Owen Sound Attack.
Tickets are on sale now through the Niagara IceDogs or Meridian Centre Box Office.
By ROD MAWHOOD
