Brandon Caputo
@BCaputo_AGM
Erie Otters photo
The IceDogs began a four game in six day stretch in Erie for a Wednesday Night geographical rivalry matchup against the Otters. Niagara was looking to bounce back after a four game slide, their last win coming against the same Otters club back on January 26th by a 6-3 score.
A milestone game for IceDogs overage goaltender Owen Flores who would play in his 150th Ontario Hockey League game in his home country as the Illinois native was looking for win 24 on the season in his 42nd start, going across from Noah Erliden for Erie.
Fourth-year forwards Alex Assadourian and Mathieu Paris remained out, labelled as week-to-week, while goaltender Charlie Robertson and defenceman Nick Frasca were the other scratches for Niagara pregame, while forward Rafek Dianov took warmups but was scratched afterwards for Darcy Dewachter who would dress as a seventh defenceman for the road IceDogs.
Niagara started the game with #23 Max Crete, #92 Ivan Galiyanov and #16 Mike Levin up front, with #6 Jack Brauti and #48 Matthew Virgilio on the backend.
GAME RECAP
IceDogs would kill off an early penalty 25 seconds into the contest. Owen Flores would make a massive pad save going from left to right on Tyler Challenger to keep the game scoreless, an early save of the night candidate for the overage goaltender playing in his 150th OHL game.
Another powerplay opportunity for Erie with just over five minutes to play in the opening period and Niagara were able to stand tall and head into the first intermission 0-0 and leading 12-11 in shots on goal.
Charlie Hotles after a good shift where he drove to the net hard with a pair of shots would draw the penalty after being high sticked and gave Niagara their first man advantage of the night.
Kevin He would hit the crossbar and Ryan Roobroeck would be stopped by the blocker during the advantage as Niagara worked the puck around well.
Kevin He would create a breakaway and was stoned by Erliden who made a sprawling blocker save to keep the game scoreless.
Vivid Eye Photography
After the IceDogs had a two on one opportunity that was blocked, Mysiak goes the other way on a breakaway that Owen Flores would stop, before the IceDogs got caught watching the puck and Mysiak would find Carey Terrance, who buried it into the open net on a sprawling Flores to open the scoring over halfway through the contest.
Ryan Roobroeck would be called for a slash on a broken Malcolm Spence stick. Niagara would kill that one off before Sean Doherty would be called for a trip, sending Erie right back to the powerplay., their fourth of the night. The IceDogs would survive that and head to the room only down by a lone goal, outshooting the Otters 28-22 through 40 minutes.
Jack Brauti would draw the tripping penalty on Sam Alfano just 33 seconds into the final period, giving Niagara an early chance to even up the contest but Blake Arrowsmith would be called for hooking, negating the chance.
A flurry of shots by the Otters as the period went on with a few highlight saves by Owen Flores to keep his team within striking distance.
Max Crete would be called for a hook on Ty Challenger streaking down the left wing but Niagara would be able to fend it off once again, remaining perfect on the penalty kill through six advantages.
A net-mouth scramble in front of the Otters crease but the IceDogs could not get a bounce to go their way past the goal line, before Malcolm Spence went in on a breakaway before Owen Flores flashed the leather to keep the game within a goal.
Vivid Eye Photography
The IceDogs would go to the powerplay with 2:27 to play in regulation for a delay of game and Seattle Kraken prospect Andrei Loshko would bury it far side for his 29th goal of the season, tying the game and finally getting Niagara on the board. Loshko's 14th powerplay marker of the season, which has him ranked third in all of the OHL in that category.
In overtime both teams had odd-man chances, first Flores with the breakaway save before Kevin He and Ryan Roobroeck were stopped on a two on one. Late in overtime a three on one was stopped by Owen Flores before Kevin He at the end of a shift was able to get it Matthew Virgilio for a pair of chances in tight which Erliden kept it out, going to a shootout. Both goaltenders were outstanding on this night.
Niagara would go scoreless with their three shooters in the skills competition before Malcolm Spence ended it, giving the home team the extra point after the IceDogs tied the game late to earn one on the road, going into Brantford on Friday.
STICK TAP OF THE GAME BROUGHT TO YOU BY HOCKEYSTICKMAN
Owen Flores - 37 saves
Vivid Eye Photography
POSTGAME THOUGHTS
IceDogs head coach Ben Boudreau was pleased with the overall effort in the highly entertaining extra-time game, below are his full thoughts in audio.
"There wasn't a single area of the game where the coaches couldn't be pleased, our guys should keep their heads up. We executed our special teams extremely well. Owen Flores in his 150th start was equally as impressive."
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