Kevin He Scores OT Winner In Front of Sold Out Crowd At Meridian Centre
NIAGARA, ON – Kevin He scores the overtime winner and Owen Flores stops 52 saves as the IceDogs defeat the Generals in front of a sold out crown of 5300 fans at the Meridian Centre. Ryan Roobroeck also tacked on his 21st of the season to tie the franchise 16-year old goal record.
Final Score: NIA 4 – OSH 3 (OT)
Starting Goaltenders: Jacob Oster (Oshawa) – Owen Flores (Niagara)
It would be a fast start to Country Night at the Meridian Centre with three goals in the opening period. The visitors would jump ahead early as David Bedkowski beat a sprawling Owen Flores who almost made the cross crease save. The goal would come only 3:08 into the game, putting the IceDogs on their heels to start. They would rebound quickly however, as Evan Klein parked himself in front of the net and banged home the puck to even things up at one. The Generals would continue the pressure though, ultimately getting their lead back at 17:47 as Matthew Buckley snagged his 27th of the season to make it 2-1. This is how the period would end, as the Generals took their one goal lead into the second.
Oshawa would pick up where they left off, scoring only 14 seconds into the period to extend their lead. Despite the early goal the period would go in the opposite direction with the physicality and intensity being kicked up a notch in the period. A multitude of big hits caused scrums after the whistle and both teams were welcoming the new found intensity. Owen Flores would continue to display excellence throughout the period, making numerous jaw dropping saves to keep the IceDogs in it. They would need a big third period as they trailed 3-1 and were being outshot at the period’s end.
The game was still within reach for the IceDogs but it would require some work to even this one back up. They would get an ideal start to the period as Ryan Roobroeck scored at 4:59 into the period to make it a one goal game. This goal would be Roobroeck’s 21st of the season, tying him with Akil Thomas and Kevin He for the franchise 16-year old goal record. This would put the momentum on the IceDogs side as they continuously pushed for that tying goal. With the clock winding under five minutes to play and the IceDogs still trailing, Ryan VanNetten would send a point shot on net that got deflected twice by Kevin He and Mike Levin, eventually finding the back of the net to tie the game up. Owen Flores would make some clutch saves in the final minutes to push the game to overtime.
Kevin He would send the Generals home packing with the overtime winner to complete the comeback for the IceDogs. His 27th of the season would extend his team lead in goals.
First Period Scoring Summary:
1-0 (Oshawa Goal): David Bedkowski (2), Assists: Ethan Toms (4), Jonathon Pylypuik (2)
1-1 (Niagara Goal): Evan Klein (6), Assists: Urban Podrekar (14), Alex Assadourian (15)
2-1 (Oshawa Goal): Matthew Buckley (27), Assist: Dylan Roobroeck (33)
Shots: OSH 16 – NIA 8
Second Period Scoring Summary:
3-1 (Oshawa Goal): Luca Marrelli (3), Assist: Stuart Rolofs (23)
Shots: OSH 35 – NIA 17
Third Period Scoring Summary:
3-2 (Niagara Goal): Ryan Roobroeck (21), Assist: Alex Assadourian (16)
3-3 (Niagara Goal): Mike Levin (17), Assists: Kevin He (20), Ryan VanNetten (8)
Shots: OSH 55 – NIA 32
Overtime Scoring Summary:
4-3 (Niagara Goal): Kevin He (27), Assist: Ethan Czata (9) OTW
Shots: OSH 55 – NIA 34
Three Stars of the Game:
- Kevin He (OT winner, 1 assist)
- Ryan Roobroeck (1 goal)
- Owen Flores (52 saves)
Full Game Box Score Here!
