SmartStop Post-Game Recap – Steelheads Walk the Dogs
NIAGARA, ON – The Mississauga Steelheads get back in the win column after another masterful performance from Ryerson Leenders to earn a 2-1 victory over the Niagara IceDogs on Thursday night.
Leenders continued his phenomenal 2023-24 campaign with a 34 save performance to earn his 16th win of the season, establishing himself as one of the premier goaltenders in the OHL.
Marc Boudreau had the winner and Dean Loukus had the opening goal for the Trout. Adam Zidlicky, Jakub Fibigr and Lucas Karmiris all got an assist in the contest.
It didn’t take long for Mississauga to get on the board, as just under two minutes into the night Loukus made a beautiful move in the slot to get to his backhand before roofing it past Owen Flores to put them up 1-0 early.
The goal for Loukus represented his first as a Steelhead and his 10th overall this season.
They added to their lead late in the first when Boudreau took a shot from a tight angle near the corner that fooled Flores and beat him short side for his eighth of the season and first since November 26th.
Mike Levin cut the lead in half near the end of the second when he walked into the slot, wound up and wired a wrist shot into the top corner.
They threatened to tie it a few moments later but Leenders made a pair of phenomenal saves, including one from the seat of his pants.
In the dying seconds of regulation Niagara pulled the goalie and had some great chances, but Leenders stood tall to keep the Steelheads up by one and seal the win.
Total Shots – MISS 28 / NIA 35
Three Stars:
- Ryerson Leenders (34sv, 1GA)
- Owen Flores (26sv, 2GA)
- Marc Boudreau (1GWG)
The Steelheads play their second of three games this week Friday night when they host the North Bay Battalion. Buy your tickets here!