Live Game Blog: NIA vs. KGN- Jan. 17

The Niagara IceDogs host the Kingston Frontenacs. A win will move them past the Frontenacs in the Eastern Conference standings.

The IceDogs got a big point against the North Bay Battalion last night, their sixth straight game with at least a point. They have gone an impressive 7-1-1-1 in their last 10 games.

Forward Brendan Perlini has scored in three consecutive games, while linemate Josh Ho-Sang is riding a three game point streak. The duo, along with Carter Verhaeghe, has been really impressive since being put together. Rookie Christopher Paquette also increased his point streak to four games last night.

The Frontenacs are without a few of their top players. Robert Polesello left last night’s game against the Erie Otters with an injury so he’ll be out tonight. The Fronts are already without Spencer Watson and Sam Bennett.

Brandon Hope gets the start in goal for the IceDogs tonight, with Lucas Peressini getting the nod for the Frontenacs.

Let’s take a look at the lines!

 

NIAGARA ICEDOGS

PERLINI-VERHAEGHE-HO-SANG
JENKINS-MALETTA-PAYNE
KNOTT-AAGAARD-DIFRUSCIA
FITZMORRIS-PAQUETTE-CORNEIL

DUNN-HAYDON
BROSNAN-SIEBENALER
MIKULOVICH-MANTHA

HOPE
MORAN

 

KINGSTON FRONTENACS

CROUSE-LAMMIKKO-SCHUTT
MCGLYNN-STEEGE-CARON
PAWLEY-NICHOL-FIELD
GILMOUR-DORVAL-TESSIER

PARIKKA-MCENENY
DUCHESNE-MCKEOWN
BILLITIER-GRAVES

PERESSINI
HELVIG

 

FIRST PERIOD

1:20: Good chance for Knott off a turnover but he can’t beat Peressini five-hole.

3:24: Nice save by Hope as he fights through the screen to track the puck.

5:59: Nice little toe-drag by Verhaeghe around the defender and he hits Dunn with a nice pass. Peressini has to make a good save on Dunn’s shot to keep it scoreless.

8:08: Dorval gets called for roughing and the IceDogs will get their first power play of the evening.

13:48: The Frontenacs applying a bit off pressure in the offensive zone and Hope has to make a couple of good saves.

16:36: IceDogs carrying most of the play so far tonight. Peressini has to make another save here. IceDogs outshooting Kingston 12-6.

17:10: The puck squeaks through Hope but Haydon is there to knock it off the line. Heck of a play by the IceDogs defenceman.

 

SECOND PERIOD

0:56: Peressini robs Veraheghe on the doorstep. Great set-up by the IceDogs but Peressini got over in time to make the save.

3:30: Haydon gets a good piece of Crouse in the neutral zone. That was quite the collision. You could hear it all the way in the pressbox.

5:28: Mikulovich flattens Pawley in the neutral zone. Physicality picking up in this one.

6:11: 1-0 IceDogs
Right off the draw, Knott walks right in and absolutely roofs a backhander! Sweet goal. The IceDogs strike first and break the deadlock. That’s back-to-back games with a goal for Knott.

8:33: Hope comes wayyyyy out and knocks the puck away to prevent a breakaway for Schutt. You could hear the crowd exhale after that one.

9:31: 1-1 Tie
McGlynn finishes off a pass from former IceDogs Caron and we’re all tied up once again.

9:49: Paquette gets called for tripping and the IceDogs will be shorthanded for the first time.

10:39: 2-1 Frontenacs
The power play converts as Crouse beats Hope with a shot over the shoulder. IceDogs trail by a goal midway through this one.

11:37: Lammikko takes down Verhaeghe right off the draw and the IceDogs head to the power play.

17:00: Quick shot right off the draw and Hope makes a nice glove save.

17:12: DiFruscia gets called for roughing and the IceDogs will be shorthanded.

 

THIRD PERIOD

0:26: 3-1 Frontenacs
Not the start to the period the IceDogs were looking for. Crouse breaks in alone and gives the Fronts a two-goal lead.

5:16: IceDogs will get a chance on the power play. Duchesne to the box for interference.

6:50: Ho-Sang draws a penalty with some nice stickhandling and the IceDogs will have a five-on-three for 26 seconds.

7:24: We’ll play some four-on-four. DiFruscia to the box for interference.

10:58: Good chance for the IceDogs as Knott tips Mikulovich’s point shot. It nearly beats Peressini five-hole.

12:00: Maletta feeds a wide open Ho-Sang and Peressini has to make a good save on his one-timer. IceDogs really pressing now.

12:43: 3-2 Frontenacs
You could feel it coming. Brosnan beats Peressini to make it a one-goal game! IceDogs are right back in it!

16:13: Nichol gets the puck down low and tries a wrap-around. Hope gets over in time to make the save.

17:34: 3-3 Tie
What a goal! Ho-Sang circles the Kingston zone waiting for the opportunity, and when he gets it he makes no mistake beating Peressini. It’s a tie game!

 

OVERTIME

0:56: Hope stops Schutt’s shot and then Lammikko hits the post. That’ll make your heart skip a beat.

2:00: More fancy stickhandling from Ho-Sang and he feeds Aagaard in the slot. Unfortunately the puck bounces off his stick before he can get a shot off.

2:30: 4-3 Frontenacs
Duchesne lets a shot go off the rush and it beats Hope. IceDogs grab a point but can’t pick up the second one.

 

GAME SUMMARY

SCORING

FIRST PERIOD
NO SCORING

SECOND PERIOD
NIA KNOTT (16) (AAGAARD) 6:11
KGN MCGLYNN (11) (CARON, MCKEOWN) 9:31
KGN CROUSE (15) (MCENENY) 10:39 PP

THIRD PERIOD
KGN CROUSE (16) (LAMMIKKO, DUCHESNE) 0:26
NIA BROSNAN (SIEBENALER) 12:43
NIA HO-SANG (9) (JENKINS, HOPE) 17:34

OVERTIME
KGN DUCHESNE (1) (SCHUTT, MCKEOWN) 2:30

SHOTS
NIA 15 – 10 – 14 – 2 = 41
KGN 9 – 11 – 4 – 3 = 27 

PPS
NIA 0-for-4
KGN 1-for-3