SmartStop Post-Game Recap – The Zebeski and Ivankovic Show
Jack Ivankovic’s first career shutout and Mason Zebeski’s hat trick propelled the Mississauga Steelheads to their second straight victory as they defeated the Erie Otters 5-0 on Saturday night.
Zebeski scored three goals in the first eight minutes of the second period and Ivankovic made 48 saves in the victory. Porter Martone and Finn Harding had the other goals for Mississauga. Zander Veccia and Luke Misa had three assists in the contest.
Following a scoreless opening 20 minutes, the next 10 were all about Zebeski.
Just 46 seconds into the second, on what looked like a harmless play, Erie goaltender Ben Gaudreau blew a tire and Zebeski took advantage. He picked up the puck in the corner and fired it towards the net, going off of the fallen Gaudreau and in to put the away team up 1-0.
Similarly to his first goal Zebeski’s second tally was a perfect example of why coaches say “put pucks on net and good things will happen”, as he fired a soft backhand that found its way through Gaudreau to put his team up 2-0 just a couple of minutes after the first goal.
After Martone made it 3-0 just seconds after Zebeski’s second, he completed the hat trick after taking a nice feed off the rush from Zander Veccia and ripping the shot past the blocker of Gaudreau to give them a four goal lead. Three goals in nine minutes for the second year forward.
The goal represented a few different milestones. Misa’s secondary assist was his 100th career point, Veccia got his 50th career assist, and Zebeski’s hat trick was his first in the OHL.
Throughout the night, Ivankovic was phenomenal. Making save after save, he kept the Otters at bay despite a barrage of shots. His best stop of the night was in the dying seconds of the second, when he dove across the crease to take away what looked like a sure goal, keeping his shutout bid alive and finishing with the best performance of his young career.
Total Shots – 36 MISS / 48 ERIE
Three Stars:
- Jack Ivankovic (48 Save Shutout)
- Mason Zebeski (3G)
- Zander Veccia (3A)
The Steelheads will finish a busy weekend with Pucks and Paws Sunday afternoon against the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. You can buy your tickets to the game by clicking here.
