Merry Grinchmas!
Brampton, ON- The Brampton Steelheads fall 6-4 to the Niagara IceDogs as Mathieu Paris puts up one goal and two assists.
It was the most festive game of the season, as the Steelheads took on the IceDogs for their annual Christmas game. While the IceDogs came out hot to take an early lead, the Steelheads showed their strength as they attempted a battleback late in the third to tie the game.
Despite their effort, Paris’ one goal and two assists, along with an empty-net goal, allowed Niagara to secure the holiday victory.
The Steelheads looked to shake things up in their lineup as they gave Anthony Paolini his first career start in goal. Alongside their new starting netminder, the Trout shifted their starting lineup as Jack Van Volsen and Lucas Karmiris joined Luke Misa in the opening faceoff.
The IceDogs got the icebreaker after Blair Scott fired a shot on the net from the point. While the puck did not make it directly on net, it was picked up by Mathieu Paris, who made a quick pass over to Mike Levin. With Paolini covered off out front, it allowed Levin to sneak one by in the open right side.
Despite the early IceDogs lead, the Steelheads did not give up and quickly tied the game. William Eggleton made a cross-ice pass from the Trout’s blue line up to Mason Zebeski, who was waiting just outside Niagara’s blue line. Using his speed, Zebeski bypassed the defence and drove towards the net before he backhanded it over the pads of Owen Flores.
The Steelheads had huge chances in the first, including a series of four close scoring opportunities from Eggleton, but Flores stood tall to keep the score tied at one.
Special teams also came into play throughout the first, but unfortunately for the Trout, it allowed the IceDogs to take the lead. After Zebeski got two minutes for blindsiding, Niagara took advantage of the extra attacker and set up a quick 3-on-2 play into the Steelheads zone.
Ethan Czata carried the puck deep toward the net, and instead of taking the shot, he sent it over to Braidy Wassilyn. With Paolini covered off by Czata, Wassilyn sent it into the open net to make it 2-1.
Back at full strength, the IceDogs extended their lead late in the first. Andrew Wycisk got the puck at the point and took a shot on goal. With traffic out front, Paris tipped the shot and sent it into the goal.
Despite being down by two at the end of the first, the Steelheads did not back down as they came out hard in the second. Keeping the puck in the offensive end, the Trout had numerous scoring opportunities, but Gabriel Chiarot brought the score within one.
Zebeski leads a 3-on-2 left-side rush into the IceDogs zone, with Parker Von Richter and Chiarot following on the right. Once in the zone, Zebeski sent a pass over to Von Richter, who carried it deep before making a sneaky pass to Chiarot, who was waiting out front. With no one covering him, Chiarot sniped it bardown.
The Steelheads attempted to keep the puck in the offensive end while Paolini stood tall to keep the score within one. However, special teams again came into play to allow Niagara to extend their lead to two.
Kevin He got the puck at the point and passed it down to Paris, who was waiting out front. Instead of taking a shot, Paris sent a backhand pass through the legs to Andrei Loshko, who shot it into the goal.
The second period ended with the IceDogs leading 4-2, which was extended on the power play again midway through the third. Despite the Niagara lead, the third period also saw an incredible Steelheads comeback to bring the game within one.
After Owen Cartwright was called for tripping, Ryan Roobroeck set up the play in the offensive end and took a shot on Paolini, who made a great save. However, after Czata picked up the rebound, he sent it into the net to make it 5-2.
Down by three, the Steelheads kicked things into gear to attempt a late comeback and tie the game. Chiarot and Finn Harding were the notable playmakers in the third period, as they not only scored the Steelheads’ goals for the period but also played a key role in setting up chances in the Niagara end.
After getting a pass from Troy Patton at the IceDogs’ blue line, Harding carried the puck deep up the left side before making a cross-crease pass to Chiarot, who was waiting out front. With no one covering him out front, Chiarot sent it over Flores’ shoulder and went bar down once again.
With a comeback in sight, the Steelheads built off the momentum of Chiarot’s goal to make it within one. Lucas Karmiris sent a shot towards the goal, which missed and ricocheted off the boards and was picked up by Harding. Seeing the traffic out front, Harding sniped it on the net, making it 5-4.
Looking to tie things up, the Steelheads put on the extra attacker as Paolini headed to the bench. Despite getting numerous Trout chances, the IceDogs picked up the puck, and Roobroeck scored an empty net goal to secure the Niagara victory.
The Steelheads return home from the holidays on December 28 as they face the Ottawa 67s. For tickets, click here.
