Written by Kyle Akitt (@JustKyle51)
OHL Images/Brandon Taylor
As we head into December and closer to the holidays, the IceDogs looked for an early Christmas present in a home win at the Meridian Center where they hosted the Ottawa 67's. The 67's are coached by Dave Cameron, who happens to be Hockey Canada's chosen Head Coach for the upcoming World Junior Championships.
This would mark game 1 of 6 against Ottawa this season and the IceDogs looked to get out of their losing slump, losing the last 11 of 12 games. The IceDogs are coming off a very close game last Saturday against the Barrie Colts, losing 5-4 in a hard fought shootout.
Returning from the injury list would be rookie defencemen Alec Leonard who has missed the last couple of games with an upper-body injury. He looked to make a statement early on the IceDogs defensive end which has been a tough subject as of late. The IceDogs were looking to change that part of their game and continue the momentum from the close game last Saturday.
STARTING LINEUP:
Jake Uberti (C)
Cameron Butler (RW)
Danil Gushchin (LW)
Landon Cato (D)
Dakota Betts (D)
Josh Rosenzweig (G)
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FIRST PERIOD
The IceDogs would get the start they needed just three minutes into the game as a shot on net from Cameron Peters would find have the rebound find it's way to the stick of Brice Cook and who would put the puck past St.Louis Blues prospect and Ottawa goaltender Will Cranley to put the IceDogs up 1-0 early on. The IceDogs would continue to dominate in the offensive zone throughout the period as Ottawa would not get an offensive zone cycle going until 5 minutes remained in the period.
Alec Leonard, returning from an upper-body injury, looked great in the first period and making some good defensive plays on a couple of odd man rushes for Ottawa. Also having a great period was IceDogs goaltender Josh Rosenzweig, who would stop 14 shots and some shots on very good scoring opportunities for the 67's.
The IceDogs would add a late goal at the end of the period as a big scramble in front of the net would lead to IceDogs forward Jake Uberti tucking in his 5th goal of the season for a 2 goal lead going into the second period.
SECOND PERIOD
The IceDogs would have a shaky start to the 2nd period as the penalty killing unit would see some significant ice time as IceDogs newest forward acquisition Liam Van Loon would go off twice for tripping and cross-checking. Luckily, the IceDogs would kill both penalties and even a short handed scoring chance from IceDogs forward Anthony Agostinelli.
The IceDogs would run into some speed bumps trying to gain back the momentum. Luckily, goaltender Josh Rosenzweig would be on his toes, stopping multiple scoring chances from the 67's. The IceDogs would get a late powerplay when the 67's took a too many men on the ice penalty and it was the leading scorer and
San Jose Sharks prospect Danil Gushchin who would make them pay scoring his team leading 15th goal of the season. The IceDogs would go into the third period with the 3 goal lead and a lot of momentum at this point.
THIRD PERIOD
IceDogs defencemen Landon Cato would not have a great game. Going to the locker room for repairs and then 5 minutes into the third period, gave the puck away in front of the net and cause Ottawa 67's forward Vinzenz Rohrer to put the puck past Rosenzweig and break his shutout at 31 saves and cutting down the IceDogs lead to 3 goals. The IceDogs powerplay unit would eventually strike again as the captain Cameron Butler would restore the IceDogs 4 goal lead. The IceDogs powerplay has had issues so far this season but in this game they would prove to be very strong and successful.
The IceDogs would have a first career goal from one of their rookies on the sixth goal of the game as defencemen Andrew Wycisk, a 3rd round pick in the 2021 OHL draft, would score on the powerplay on a gorgeous spin around pass from Pano Fimis. Wycisk has had a very up and down rookie campaign but proved his worth with capitalizing on this chance.
Thursday's Attendance: 3,598
Jersey House Player of the Game: Andrew Wycisk
Photo Credit: OHL Images/Brandon Taylor
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