Niagara IceDogs Just Fall Short In Season Opener
LONDON, ON – The Niagara IceDogs just fall short to the London Knights losing 2-1 in their regular season opener in front of a sold out crowd at Budweiser Gardens.
Starting Goalies:
- Michael Simpson (London Knights)
- Owen Flores (Niagara IceDogs)
Newly acquired Mathieu Paris got things started early for the IceDogs, finding the back of the net at 3:02 of the first period. The Knights would knot it up through Sharks prospect Kasper Halttunen on the powerplay. The second frame would prove to be the Owen Flores show, making 15 saves on 16 shots in the period. However, the Knights would squeak one by Flores, via Sam O’Reilly, scoring his first career OHL goal to make it 2-1. The third period provided no score as the Knights shut down the IceDogs offence through goaltender Michael Simpson who made 9 saves in the final frame after a flurry of scoring chances and an empty net push from the IceDogs.
Owen Flores made 26 saves on 28 shots and Michael Simpson stopped 34 saves on 35 shots.
First Period Scoring Summary:
1-0 (Niagara Goal): Mathieu Paris (1), Assist: Michael Podolioukh (1)
1-1 (London Goal): Kasper Halttunen (1), Assists: Denver Barkey (1), Sam Dickinson (1) PP
Shots: NIA | 20 – LDN | 7
Second Period Scoring Summary:
2-1 (London Goal): Sam O’Reilly (1), Assist: Kaeden Johnston (1)
Shots: NIA | 26 – LDN | 23
Third Period Scoring Summary:
No scoring.
Shots: NIA | 35 – LDN | 28
Three Stars of The Game:
First Star: Sam O’Reilly (1 goal, Game Winning Goal)
Second Star: Kasper Halttunen (1 Goal)
Third Star: Michael Simpson (34 Saves)
Full Box Score Here!
The IceDogs and Knights will conclude their season series tomorrow night at the Meridian Centre for the IceDogs home opener. Get your tickets here!
