Live Game Blog: NIA vs. NB- Feb. 28
The Niagara IceDogs host the North Bay Battalion tonight, looking to win their third straight game.
The last time these two teams met, the IceDogs were trailing 4-1 heading into the third period. They fought their way all the way back, and thanks to a late goal by Carter Verhaeghe, the IceDogs won 6-5. They’re 8-2-0-0 in their last 10 games and will want to continue their strong play tonight. With a win over the Battalion and a Mississauga Steelheads loss to the Barrie Colts later tonight, the IceDogs will clinch a playoff spot.
The Battalion currently sit fourth in the Eastern Conference, but are only ahead of the IceDogs by nine points. They’re 4-5-0-1 in their last 10 but, like the IceDogs, they have won two straight. That means tonight should be a good one.
Brent Moran will be in net for the IceDogs, while Jake Smith gets the nod for the Battalion.
Here are the lineups for tonight!
NIAGARA ICEDOGS
PERLINI-VERHAEGHE-CORNEIL
JENKINS-MALETTA-HO-SANG
DIFRUSCIA-AAGAARD-KNOTT
FITZMORRIS-PAQUETTE-GILLARD
DUNN-HAYDON
MANTHA-SIEBENALER
MIKULOVICH-WILKIE
MORAN
HOPE
NORTH BAY BATTALION
MCKENZIE-PAUL-MOUTREY
KUJAWINSKI-AMADIO-HENRIKSSON
GREEN-HUETHER-SANTOS
BAIRD-POIRIER-OLSSON
LIBERATI-MCIVOR
KOSACK-WOOD
SHANKAR-BRUCE
SMITH
KMENT
FIRST PERIOD
2:37: IceDogs on their heels a bit to start this one. Siebenaler with a big shot block in the slot.
3:07: Henriksson gives Dunn a shot away from the play. He’ll sit for two or less, and the IceDogs get their first power play of the game.
3:37: 1-0 IceDogs
Good guys strike first! On the power play, DiFruscia tips Dunn’s point shot past Smith! Great start.
6:50: Nice kick save by Moran as Amadio took a shot off the rush.
9:40: Moran robs Paul as he walks out front from behind the net. Huge save.
11:10: 2-0 IceDogs
It’s a two goal lead! Mantha wires one past Smith from the point! He sure likes playing against the Battalion.
12:28: 2-1 IceDogs
Unlucky. Liberati throws the puck out front and it goes off the IceDogs defenceman and in. What an unfortunate bounce.
13:54: 3-1 IceDogs
Smith makes a really good save on DiFruscia but Knott is there to chip in the rebound! Two-goal lead restored!
16:36: IceDogs will be shorthanded for the first time tonight. Jenkins heads to the box for hooking.
17:00: On a two-on-one, Huether’s one-timer goes off the post. That was close.
SECOND PERIOD
1:31: 3-2 IceDogs
Not the start to the second the Dogs were looking for. Kujawinski scores to make it a one-goal game.
3:07: Knott tries a wraparound and he nearly beats Smith. The Battalion goaltender got over quick though.
5:35: Huether gets a chance off a turnover, but Moran makes a nice glove save. He’s then bumped by Baird after the whistle. He didn’t appreciate that much.
6:53: Another good glove save by Moran. He stops a rocket from McKenzie.
7:34: Verhaeghe almost takes advantage of a turnover. He does well to get by the defenceman, but his backhander goes over the net. He had Smith down and out.
7:54: Bruce trips up Fitzmorris and the IceDogs will get a power play.
9:18: Moran robs Henriksson, but the IceDogs get called for a penalty. Verhaeghe goes off for holding. We’ll play four-on-four for 36 seconds.
10:40: Fitzmorris absolutely hammers one off the rush but it goes off the post.
11:49: 4-2 IceDogs
Oh my what a move by Verhaeghe! He dances by McIvor and then feeds Knott, who taps it in! That was pretty!
15:27: Smith stretches out and makes a really good save on Ho-Sang. Wow.
17:57: Another good save by Smith. This time on Verhaeghe. It could very easily be 6-2 IceDogs right now.
19:46: Ho-Sang dangles around Wood, but can’t beat Smith.
THIRD PERIOD
1:12: Smith is keeping the Battalion in this one. He makes a really good save on a redirected point shot.
4:52: The IceDogs will be shorthanded. Corneil heads to the box for high-sticking.
5:49: Three big pad saves by Moran on Wood so far this penalty kill.
6:59: The IceDogs kill off the penalty and then McIvor hauls down Dunn. Dogs will get a power play of their own here.
8:51: Good chance for Perlini and he fires it off of Smith’s mask.
9:08: As he steps out of the box, McIvor breaks in alone. Moran with a huge save to preserve the two-goal lead.
14:53: 5-2 IceDogs
Nice rush up the ice by Ho-Sang and Maletta is there to finish off the play! IceDogs lead by three!
15:38: Paquette beats his man wide but JUST misses the top corner with a backhander.
16:06: The IceDogs will be shorthanded. Knott to the box for tripping.
17:28: Maletta with some gorgeous stickhandling in the offensive zone and he nearly scores his second of the game.
20:00: ANOTHER win for the IceDogs! Three straight as they top the Battalion 5-2!
GAME SUMMARY
SCORING
FIRST PERIOD
NIA DIFRUSCIA (18) (DUNN, VERHAEGHE) 3:37 PP
NIA MANTHA (8) (VERHAEGHE, CORNEIL) 11:10
NB LIBERATI (11) (HENRIKSSON, KUJAWINSKI) 12:28
NIA KNOTT (21) (DIFRUSCIA, AAGAARD) 13:54
SECOND PERIOD
NB KUJAWINSKI (26) (AMADIO) 1:31
NIA KNOTT (22) (VERHAEGHE, MANTHA) 11:49
THIRD PERIOD
NIA MALETTA (19) (HO-SANG, FITZMORRIS) 14:53
SHOTS
NIA 5 – 11 – 9 = 25
NB 7 – 7 – 9 = 23
PPS
NIA 1-for-3
NB 0-for-4
