Owen Flores Displays Excellence With 47 Saves In Loss
SAULT STE. MARIE, ON – Owen Flores earns first star honours after stopping 47 of the 49 Greyhound shots as the IceDogs battle to the very end in a one goal game.
Final Score: SOO 2 – NIA 1
Starting Goaltenders: Owen Flores (Niagara) – Landon Miller (Soo)
The Niagara IceDogs were looking to finish off their northern road trip on a strong note as Owen Flores would get the nod in net. The Greyhounds would jump out into the lead early as an unlucky bounce trickled in past the sprawling Owen Flores and the diving Connor Federkow, who made an effort to bat it out of midair before it barely crossed the line. The IceDogs would have an answer shortly after, as Kevin He used his speed and strength to beat the Greyhounds defender, getting a shot on goal before slamming home the rebound to tie the game. The goal would come early on a IceDogs penalty kill, marking it the team’s 14th shorthanded goal of the season. This would tie them with the Greyhounds for second in the league, only behind the London Knights. Owen Flores was spectacular in the opening frame stopping 17 shots as the IceDogs took a 1-1 scoreline into the second.
Coming into the second all tied up, the period wouldn’t go as they had imagined for the IceDogs as they were unable to develop any legitimate scoring chances. The Greyhounds however would, as overage forward Jacob Frasca was able to bang home the rebound in tight to send the Greyhounds ahead at the 7:33 mark of the period. The IceDogs would get a powerplay opportunity but were unable to find their footing as the Soo successfully killed it off. Once again, Owen Flores was strong in the period stopping 16 of 17 shots, bringing his game total up to 33 saves. Despite being outshot, the IceDogs were only trailing by one heading into the final frame, still boasting a chance to win the game with a strong third period.
The IceDogs were looking to gain some momentum in the third as they were in search of the equalizing goal. They would put forth a consistent effort all period long but were unable to find the back of the net. Owen Flores continued his excellence with another 14 saves, going perfect in the period as he stopped 47 shots on the night.
First Period Scoring Summary:
1-0 (Soo Goal): Bryce McConnell-Barker (16), Assists: Gavin Hayes (24), Matthew Virgilio (10)
1-1 (Niagara Goal): Kevin He (26) SHG
Shots: SOO 18 – NIA 4
Second Period Scoring Summary:
2-1 (Soo Goal): Jacob Frasca (11), Assists: Justin Cloutier (15), Brady Martin (7)
Shots: SOO 35 – NIA 7
Third Period Scoring Summary:
No scoring.
Shots: SOO 49 – NIA 18
Full Game Box Score Here!
