Top Dog: Nedeljkovic breeds confidence in Niagara
Boasting an accomplished cast of returning veterans, the Niagara IceDogs were widely considered a favourite to win the Central Division from the outset of the 2015-16 season. The result after a season of peaks and valleys was a third place finish, 12 points out of first behind the Barrie Colts and the North Bay Battalion.
After taking on the reputation of being a highly talented but inconsistent group, the IceDogs have charged out of the gate with an 8-1 record in the OHL Playoffs, casting aside the Ottawa 67’s and the East Division champion Kingston Frontenacs to return to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2012.
A number of contributors have sparked the playoff surge in St. Catharines, none more than Carolina Hurricanes prospect and fourth-year OHL veteran Alex Nedeljkovic in goal.
Inspiring IceDogs fans to put a spin on the team’s playoff theme of “Make Them See Red” to “Make Them See Ned,” the 20-year-old’s play was nothing short of phenomenal in the second round, helping the Dogs take a pair of overtime wins in a four game sweep of Kingston.
Entering an Eastern Conference Final matchup with the Barrie Colts, Nedeljkovic is the only player on Niagara’s roster to have ever competed in a conference final series, doing so as a 16-year-old with the Plymouth Whalers in 2013. Though the Whalers fell in five games to the eventual OHL Champion London Knights, Nedeljkovic was a difference maker in the crease.
“Being in this position as a 16-year-old was quite different,” said Nedeljkovic, preparing for Game 1 in Barrie on Thursday. “I was pretty awestruck and just thrilled to be playing on such a big stage. It’s a different perspective this time around. The reality is, we’re only halfway there – eight wins away and there’s a lot of work still to be done.”
Nedeljkovic has led Niagara from the net out, recording a 2.47 goals-against average and a .915 save percentage through nine playoff contests, but the Parma, Ohio, native says the positive results have come from more than just him.
“I think we’re finding our stride up and down the lineup,” he noted. “We’re believing in ourselves and playing with a lot more confidence. The last two weeks of the season we started to really come together, coming to the rink truly believing that we can win any game, regardless of our opponent or the circumstances. The result has been pretty phenomenal.”
IceDogs head coach and general manager Marty Williamson concurs. The 800+ game OHL coaching veteran says his club had to look themselves in the mirror before things started to turn around.
“I was pretty honest with everyone,” he said. “One of the things said back in February was that the worst label you can get is to be an underachiever, and that’s frankly what we were at times this season. I think the key is that our players now realize that you don’t have to try and win the game by yourself. What’s most important is that you’re doing your part. I look at a guy like Stephen Harper right now who hasn’t scored a goal in the playoffs, but he’s been great defensively, very good in the faceoff circle and smart away from the puck and that’s exactly what we need.”
While the team in front of him has taken big strides, Williamson says Nedeljkovic has been a key to success. He gives a tip of the cap to a former long-time OHL coach and general manager in Mike Vellucci, now working with the Carolina Hurricanes after 11 years spent with the Plymouth Whalers.
“I think Ned has been outstanding since we brought him in. He’s been a wonderful addition and I have to thank Mike Vellucci for that one. We talked and Alex came highly recommended. He’s a major part of the turnaround not just in the crease, but he’s also provided us with a steady presence and valuable leadership.”
Nedeljkovic is playing at the top of his game and offence is coming from a variety of different sources. New York Islanders prospect Josh Ho-Sang leads the way on the scoresheet with three goals, 12 assists and 15 points in nine games. Defenceman Vince Dunn (4-6–10) and forwards Pavel Jenys (6-3–9) and Jordan Maletta (1-8–9) have also recorded at least a point-per-game throughout the postseason.
Combine all that with Niagara’s second place 84.2% playoff penalty kill and the IceDogs will go into Barrie for Game 1 on Thursday with reason to be confident in their abilities moving forward.
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