IceDogs Take Care of Battalion for Rankin Cancer Run Game
NIAGARA, ON – Saturday night marked the IceDogs’ third annual Rankin Cancer Run Game.
In a touching pre-game puck drop, Jen and her son Mitchell were recognized for their resilience and strength through Jen’s breast cancer diagnosis. Jen’s journey from this diagnosis to becoming a survivor and thriver is a testament to resilience. Her story is one that is inspiring at every level, and should be celebrated across the Niagara region!
Prior to the game, Jen shared some further details of her story with the IceDogs. She went on to say, “My name is Jen and I know firsthand how important it is to have a strong, supportive community surrounding me! I’m a breast cancer survivor, a thriver, a Warrior. I fought and won against a nightmare I never imagined could have happened to me. I underwent an intense surgery, 8 rounds of chemotherapy and 28 rounds of radiation. I felt beaten down and terrified for my life. All the while I kept fighting with the image of our beautiful son, Mitchell’s face giving me the strength I needed to not give up.
With that being said, I did not fight this battle alone, I had help and a huge support system. My deepest gratitude to my wonderful husband and our amazing son, to our dear friends and family for all their help and love when we needed them most, to The Walker Family Cancer Centre where the nurses are angels on earth and they saved my life, to Mary Ann Edwards & The Rankin Cancer Run for working so passionately and raising the funds that are imperative for all of us Warriors here in Niagara, to the Niagara IceDogs for all their continuous support and endless fundraising efforts and last, but certainly not least to Wellspring Niagara for all the wonderful program’s & activities they offer all absolutely free of charge. Thank you with all my heart St. Catharines!”
Tonight’s specialty game also hit close to home for IceDogs defenceman Matthew Virgilio. Virgilio shared his story, revealing that he was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma at the age of 12. He underwent five rounds of chemotherapy at SickKids Hospital and was proudly declared cancer-free in June 2020. Virgilio took centre ice for the ceremonial puck drop from Jen’s son, Mitchell, in another touching moment.
The Niagara IceDogs are proud to dedicate this special night to honoring stories of strength, resilience, and community, like those shared by Jen, Mitchell, and Matthew. Through our unwavering support of the Rankin Cancer Run and the life-changing work of organizations like Wellspring Niagara and the Walker Family Cancer Centre, we aim to shine a light on the importance of coming together as a community. Tonight, and always, we stand united in the fight against cancer, celebrating the impact we can make when we work together for such a meaningful cause.
GAME RECAP – BY THE ARMCHAIR GM’S SPORTS NETWORK’S BRANDON CAPUTO
Solid pace between both teams to open the game as there were no whistles for the first seven minutes
of the contest, with solid 5-on-5 play back and forth.
Niagara would kill off a penalty and open the scoring with 2:10 remaining in the opening period as
defenceman Jack Brauti in the slot found Ivan Galiyanov on the right post, who buried his sixth goal of
the season, giving the IceDogs a lead after the first period.
The home side would extend their lead right off the bat in the middle period as Ryan Roobroeck would
skate around the net and find Noah Van Vliet cutting down from the point, firing his fourth goal of the
season past Lisson.
Niagara would kill off two more powerplays, leaving North Bay 0/3 on the night and having a 2-0 lead
going into the second intermission, thanks to Owen Flores’ 31 saves through 40 minutes.
The IceDogs would open the third period with a Ryan Roobroeck goal but was called back after review
for an offside.
North Bay would solve Flores with 5:49 remaining in regulation as Nolan Laird would cut down the right
wing and wrist one, breaking the IceDogs goaltender’s shutout bid.
Niagara would seal it as Ryan Roobroeck would make up for his earlier goal in the game that was called
back, by potting it into the empty net for a cheeseburger goal and his team-leading 29th of the season
into the empty cage; #25’s third point of the contest. The IceDogs would take it 3-1 despite being
outshot 44-26 in the contest and earn their 26th win of the 2024-25 OHL season in their 42nd game.
The Big Marco’s Three Stars:
1. G Owen Flores 43 saves on 44 shots.
2. F Ryan Roobroeck 1 goal, 2 assists.
3. D Noah Van Vliet 1 goal (game-winning goal).