IceDogs Mount Thrilling Comeback but Ultimately Drop Game Two in Barrie
BARRIE, ON – The Niagara IceDogs showed tremendous fight in Game Two of their first-round playoff series, mounting a thrilling third-period comeback before ultimately falling 7-5 to the Barrie Colts on Monday night at Sadlon Arena. The loss puts the IceDogs down 2-0 in the best-of-seven series, but their late push is an encouraging sign heading into Game 3 back on home ice.
Niagara wasted no time making an impact, striking just 24 seconds into the game as Matthew Virgilio buried a setup from Braidy Wassilyn and Andrei Loshko to give the IceDogs an early 1-0 lead. An interesting note was that with that goal 24 seconds into regulation, Matthew Virgilio now holds the IceDogs franchise record for the fastest goal in a playoff game.
However, Barrie responded right back with three first-period goals, including a power-play marker from Anthony Romani, to take a 3-1 advantage after 20 minutes.
The Colts extended their lead in the second period, capitalizing on another power play just before the intermission to make it 5-1. Despite the deficit, the IceDogs came out flying in the third, determined to claw their way back into the game.
Niagara’s special teams came alive in the final frame, igniting a four-goal unanswered surge that tied the game up at 5-5. Ivan Galiyanov led the charge, scoring twice in quick succession, with Mathieu Paris adding a power-play goal before Andrei Loshko made it 5-5 with just under seven minutes remaining.
With the IceDogs pressing for the go-ahead goal, Romani completed his hat trick with 1:10 left to seal the win for Barrie, and an empty-net goal in the final seconds put the game out of reach.
Despite the loss, Niagara’s resilience and offensive firepower in the third period were a major positive, setting the stage for a crucial Game Three on home ice.
The IceDogs will look to ride that third frame momentum when they return to the Meridian Centre tomorrow night for Game Three at 7:00 PM, aiming to cut the series deficit in half.
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