By ROD MAWHOOD

The Niagara IceDogs played arguably their best game of the season in a 7-2 victory over the visiting Saginaw Spirit.

Rookie Braidy Wassilyn led the way with one goal and four assists, while Andrei Loshko notched the hat-trick and four points as a new line combination paid immediate dividends for Head Coach Ben Boudreau.

“It was the best overall game, I think, on both sides of the puck,” explained Boudreau.

“We lost four of five games so we had to shake up things. Wassilyn earned what he got. He was competitive from the get go, but it starts in practice and he was the hardest working line all week.

Sean Doherty, Blake Arrowsmith and Kevin He had the other goals for the IceDogs.

Owen Flores made 26 saves to pick up the win, while Alex Assadourian played in his 200th career OHL game.

“Defense played great. Happy to see the buy-in – it made such a difference” Boudreau said.

Niagara visits Sudbury Friday night before playing host to Peterborough Sunday at 2 pm.

There will be a special Buffalo Bills viewing party with televisions set up on the course at Meridian Centre. Doors open at 1 pm.

For ticket information visit niagaraicedogs.net