IceDogs hang on for 5-4 triumph
The Saginaw Spirit fell to the Niagara IceDogs 5-4 in regulation Friday night at the Gatorade Garden City Complex in Niagara; The Spirit found themselves down by four goals early in the third period but battled back to make it a one goal game. Michael Sgarbossa notched a goal and an assist in the contest, while Vincent Trocheck notched two assists. Captain Jordan Szwarz also tallied an assist in the effort, for his OHL career 154th point moving him into the team’s all-time top-5 scorer record book. The Spirit continue their road series Friday night against the Erie Otters, and enter the game with an OHL Western Conference high 28 points and a record of 13-4-1-1.
ST. CATHARINES, ON --
The IceDogs opened scoring early in the contest, with center Steven Shipley scoring less than two minutes in from center Ryan Strome. Saginaw’s Josh Shalla would tie up the game at one apiece with a power play goal at the 18:43 mark from center Michael Sgarbossa and center Ivan Telegin, but Niagara would answer before the buzzer to re-take their one goal lead. Winger Jason Wilson scored a power play goal from defenseman Jesse Graham and Strome at 19:47 in the first.
Niagara’s momentum would continue, with the IceDogs scoring three consecutive goals to mount a 5-1 lead over the Spirit. Winger Freddie Hamilton scored a short hander at 11:38 in the second from Shipley and defenseman Simon Gronvaldt to move the score to 3-1, then moments later center Andrew Agozzino would tally a power play marker at 18:40 to give the IceDogs a three goal lead. Strome and defenseman Dougie Hamilton assisted on the goal. The IceDogs would add to their lead in the opening minutes of the third period, with a goal from center Alex Friesen courtesy assists from center David Pacan and Graham at the 1:03 mark moving the score to 5-1 Niagara.
The Spirit would battle back in the third, striking quickly with three unanswered goals. Winger Alex Racino tallied his third goal of the season to start the offensive push, scoring at 3:27 from winger Garret Ross. Winger Brandon Saad further reduced the deficit with a power play goal at 4:33 in the third, courtesy assists from center Vincent Trocheck and winger Jordan Szwarz. The Spirit would continue to press their attack, which paid dividends when Sgarbossa tallied his fourth of the season at the 7:24 mark to move Saginaw within one goal of Niagara. Trocheck tallied the lone assist on the goal.
Saginaw would continue to push Niagara, pulling goalie Mavric Parks in the final seconds for an extra attacker. Despite the effort, the Spirit were unable to score the equalizer and feel to the IceDogs by a score of 5-4 in regulation.
Spirit netminder Mavric Parks tallied 36 saves on 41 shots, while IceDogs goaltender Mark Visentin notched 32 saves on 36 shots.
