SmartStop Post-Game Recap – A Win on the Road
The Steelheads continue their perfect start to the season with a 2-0 victory over the Niagara Ice Dogs.
First Period
The Steelheads took on the IceDogs in Niagara, the opening frame full of open ice and minimal stoppages. Mississauga was able to kill a penalty early on, Angus MacDonell working well to break up Niagara’s set plays, with Ryerson Leenders tracking the puck exceptionally well, keeping the Steelheads on level terms.
Mississauga had a powerplay of their own with four and a half minutes left to play in the first, but were unable to convert despite some good opportunities. The last sixty seconds of the period saw plenty of action, with extracurriculars on both sides of the ice, a lively finale to what was otherwise a steady period, but no goals were scored and the two teams took a goalless draw into the first intermission.
Shots on Goal – 15 NIAG/8 MISS
Second Period
The second period began relatively similarly to how the first did – Niagara pressing initially but seeing no goals. Physicality prevailed as the period went on, each team becoming increasingly more aggressive, hits thrown both ways as each team tried to cement themselves as presences on the ice. Offsetting minor penalties created a 4-on-4 opportunity which led to some of the more back and forth hockey of the night, each team attempting to capitalize on the newfound space.
Captain Chas Sharpe was able to take advantage of this situation, intercepting a pass in his own defensive end and taking the puck up the ice himself, tucking the puck cleanly away to score the first goal of the night and his second of the season. Mississauga seemed to find another gear after gaining the advantage, but a Niagara powerplay stopped the momentum they had started to gain. No damage was done, however, and the Steelheads would hold onto a one goal lead after the second period.
Shots on Goal – 7 NIAG/7 MISS
Third Period
Mississauga came out with renewed energy in the final frame, Zander Veccia creating great opportunities in front of the net. The Steelheads were able to effectively kill another powerplay, generating offense shorthanded as Adam Zidlicky had an opportunity to score and nearly did so.
Ryerson Leenders was steady again, making a sequence of good saves in a flurry of Niagara shots.
The latter half of the period saw much more action with two goals being disallowed. Adam Zidlicky found the back of the net on a charge through the defense, but his goal was called back due to goaltender interference. Niagara had a goal of their own called back shortly after.
The IceDogs were awarded a powerplay with just over two minutes left to play, in which they pulled their goalie for a two-man advantage. After a sequence of saves by Leenders, Finn Harding corralled the puck and shot it down the ice, finding the empty net, securing the lead on a short handed opportunity. The Steelheads would take that as their final push of the night, taking a 2-0 victory over the IceDogs at the Meridian Centre.
Shots on Goal – 7 NIAG/14 MISS
Total Shots – 31 ER/31 MISS
Three Stars:
- Ryerson Leenders (29 SV)
- Owen Flores (28 SV, 1 GA)
- Chas Sharpe (1G)
The Steelheads are back in action at home on October 8th to face off against the Brantford Bulldogs. Get your tickets by clicking here.
