IceDogs Dethrone Knights
NIAGARA, ON – The Niagara IceDogs pulled off their biggest win of the season, stunning the CHL’s top-ranked London Knights with a thrilling 6-4 victory on Saturday night at the Meridian Centre. The sold-out crowd continuously erupted as the IceDogs delivered a statement performance against the powerhouse Knights.
London opened the scoring at 11:44 of the first period, as Denver Barkey finished off a 2-on-1 to put the visitors ahead. However, the IceDogs responded in electrifying fashion just 56 seconds later while shorthanded – as Kevin He broke in on the rush and ripped home his 29th of the season on a breakaway, igniting the Niagara faithful.
The Knights regained the lead late in the first with a power-play marker from Sam Dickinson, but the resilient IceDogs refused to back down. Midway through the second, He struck again – this time on the power play – tipping home a beautiful goal to tie the game at two. Niagara kept the pressure on and grabbed their first lead of the night at 17:38, as Ryan Roobroeck capitalized on another power-play opportunity, wiring home his team-leading 36th goal to send the IceDogs into the third period with a 3-2 advantage.
Ethan Czata extended Niagara’s lead early in the third period, converting on yet another breakaway to give the IceDogs an insurance marker just 1:36 into the final frame. London responded with a power-play goal from Kasper Halttunen at 9:24, but the IceDogs had the answer once again. Ivan Galiyanov tipped home the game-winner past Knights netminder Aleksei Medvedev at 12:07, with Blair Scott picking up the lone assist. London pushed late, with Sam O’Reilly cutting the deficit to one at 17:49, but Kevin He capped off his hat-trick performance with an empty-net insurance goal to seal the massive win for Niagara.
Kevin He was unstoppable, leading the charge with a four-point night, including a hat-trick and an assist. His offensive dominance proved to be the difference-maker in Niagara’s statement victory.
Rookie goaltender Hayden Jeffery also stood on his head, making an incredible 40 saves to earn his first career OHL win in only his second career start. Jeffery’s composure and stellar play between the pipes were instrumental in the IceDogs’ victory.
The IceDogs will look to build off this momentum as they face the Sudbury Wolves on the road on Wednesday, March 5th – where puck drop is set for 7:05 PM.
For tickets and more information, visit niagaraicedogs.net.
