SmartStop Post-Game Recap – Comeback Kings
The Steelheads pick up a crucial two points in an overtime victory over the IceDogs.
First Period
The Steelheads look to close the season series on a high note as they take on the Niagara IceDogs for the final time in the 2022-23 OHL campaign. The Trout entered the contest winning four of five matchups versus Niagara. The game also included the debut of the Steelheads Real Canadian Superstore jerseys that were designed by David Rho, paying tribute to the former St. Michael’s Majors jerseys.
It was all Steelheads to start the first period. The shots were 9-2 in the first thirteen minutes of the period. The best chance during the beginning half of the frame came off the stick of Zander Veccia, who received a cross seam pass on a 2-on-1 but fired it just high.
While the Steelheads dominated the play, the IceDogs made the most of their limited chances by capitalizing on a neutral zone turnover. A two-on-one developed for Kevin He and Alex Assadourian, He slid it over to Assadourian who made no mistake and roofed it past the glove of Ryerson Leenders.
After going down 1-0, the Steelheads picked up right where they left off, controlling the game and having the vast majority of scoring chances. The Trout hit back-to-back crossbars as James Hardie and Lucas Karmiris both rang one off the pipe.
The Steelheads power play got to work once again, as Michael Podolioukh was called for high sticking. It did not take long for the power play to click, as Angus MacDonell was able to cash in from his favorite spot, right in front of the net. The goal extended MacDonell’s streak to five games.
With the shots 17-4 in favour of Mississauga and under a minute to play, the Steelheads looked poised to head into the first intermission somewhat snakebitten. However, Luke Misa had other plans. The speedy centreman picked up the puck inside his own blueline before going on a mad dash, beating out multiple Niagara defenders. Misa made no mistake when he got to the net and shoveled the puck past the outstretched pad of Josh Rosenzweig to give the Steelheads the lead with just 2.9 seconds remaining in the period
With Misa’s late marker, the Steelheads took a 2-1 lead into the first intermission.
Shots on Goal – 4 NIAG/18 MISS
Second Period
The opening moments of the second period were much more mellow than the closing moments of the first. The teams traded chances but nothing was too dangerous early on. A number of whistles halted play and did not allow either team to build much momentum.
Porter Martone found himself with a break, but was held from behind by an IceDogs defender. The Steelheads headed to the power play but were unable to convert. The best chance came off a nifty play by Veccia, who attempted to go through his own legs, but had the opportunity blocked.
Shortly after the power play, Adam Zidlicky was called for high sticking. Former Steelhead Zakary Lavoie converted for the IceDogs, as he rifled a one-timer past Leenders. His 19th goal of the season tied things up at 2, with just over 10 minutes to play in the period.
A defensive zone turnover by the Steelheads forced Leenders to react quickly, he did just that and made a great save to deny the scoring chance and keep the game knotted up. It has been a tough game for Leenders as he has not faced much action, and both Niagara goals were on high quality scoring chances.
The Steelheads received a late power play, as O’Flaherty was called for a check from behind. Hardie had multiple chances on the man advantage, both from one of his favourite spots above the left circle. Rosenzweig was able to deny the chances and took his team into the second intermission tied at 2, despite being outshot 27-12 by the Trout.
Shots on Goal – 12 NIAG/27 MISS
Third Period
The third period started with a great shift by Hardie, Misa, and Veccia, who seemed to have set the tone for the period by generating a couple scoring chances. Rosenzweig stood tall for the IceDogs, as he has been doing all game.
The Steelheads then found themselves in some penalty trouble, taking back-to-back penalties. Trout did a great job killing off the first penalty, with Charlie Callaghan putting his body on the line and blocking shots.
The second Steelheads penalty was detrimental, as the IceDogs were able to capitalize. A point shot from Nathan Ribeau deflected off a Steelheads defender and fooled Leenders. The goal gave the IceDogs a 3-2 lead with 10:56 to play.
Looking for a spark, the Steelheads got physical. Kai Schwindt had a busy shift that included multiple hits which seemed to go to the legs of the Trout. Moments later, a chance for Hardie was turned aside by Rosenzweig, however, the rebound flew behind the net to Misa. Misa looked in front of the net and saw Brice Cooke flying into the slot fresh off the bench. Cooke made no mistake and rifled a one timer into the back of the net to tie things up at 3 a piece.
The Steelheads really turned on the pressure late in the game, multiple power play opportunities were turned aside by Rosenzweig. As time dwindled down, regulation came to an end and the game required extra time to find a winner.
Shots on Goal – 10 NIAG/19 MISS
Overtime/Shootout
The overtime period was all Steelheads. The opening faceoff was quickly snapped back by Misa, and the Trout didn’t look back from there.
It was the sophomore right-winger Veccia who called game. Veccia looked like a man on a mission as he bolted through the neutral zone and entered the Niagara zone with speed. Making a decisive move from his forehand to his backhand, he roofed it over the glove of the IceDogs netminder.
Shots on Goal – 1 NIAG/2 MISS
Total Shots – 23 NIAG/48 MISS
Three Stars:
- Zander Veccia (1G, 2A)
- Luke Misa (1G, 1A)
- Brice Cooke (1G)
The Steelheads close out the season series against the IceDogs in style with the overtime win, winning the season series 5-1. Don’t forget to bid on the Real Canadian Super Store game-worn jerseys that will be auctioned off with all proceeds benefiting the President’s Choice Children’s Charity in the fight against childhood hunger. To bid on the jerseys click here.
