Niagara Ice Dogs vs. Saginaw Spirit (Nov. 12, 2009)

IceDogs take the spirit out of Saginaw

By: Jeff Blay

Reggie Traccitto’s power play goal midway through the third period gave the IceDogs the edge they needed to upend the Saginaw Spirit in this exciting Thursday night match-up. Petteri Simila got the start in net and recorded his first win of the season by stopping 29 shots.

Former Ice Dog Barry Sanderson opened the scoring for Saginaw early in the first, and rookie Ivan Telegin followed up giving the Spirit an early 2-0 lead.

Keith Maisonville was called on a hooking penalty at 13:36 in the first, but the Dogs killed it off and were soon rewarded with a power play after Saginaw forward Garret Ross took a holding penalty.

Shortly after a scoreless power play, Freddie Hamilton netted his tenth of the season after taking a beautiful backhanded pass from Aggozino at the 19:06 mark of the first period, giving the Dogs some life.

Hamilton was also honored during the game as the Academic player of the month, with a GPA of 98.5%.

The second period got off to a booming start as fan favourite Andrew Shaw dropped the gloves right off the opening face-off with Saginaw enforcer Garret Ross. After a fairly even tilt, Shaw got the take down and got the fans going.

Hasson used the fight as a motivator and scored his first goal of the season at 8:50 of the second period, giving the game an even 2-2 score.

Saginaw took another three penalties in the second period, giving the IceDogs a few more power play opportunities. Chris Desousa shortened the third power play by taking a tripping penalty, but no goals came out of the special teams play.

In the third, Niagara kept up the momentum as Marco Insam scored a much needed goal 2:54 into the period. Insam had not recorded a point in 15 games – now standing with 4 goals and 4 assists on the season.

It didn’t take long for the Spirit to even up, as Atlanta Thrashers draft pick Cody Sol scored shortly after.

Freddie Hamilton drew a penalty at 12:42 in the third period as Spirit captain Tyler Murovich gave him a couple shots in front of the IceDog net.

Murovich proceeded on to chip at Reggie Traccitto, but the IceDog defender stayed composed allowing him to score the game-winning power play goal.

It was all Niagara from there, as Agozzino and Fritsch both chipped in with a goal each to give the IceDogs a commanding 6-3 lead late in the third. Shayne Rover recorded his first OHL point with the assist on Fritsch’s goal.

Alex Frisen, who did not play due to an injury he received during the game vs. Erie, was honored at the beginning of the night as the player of the month.

The Shaw brothers will return to their hometown Saturday as the IceDogs begin their weekend road trip in Bellville Saturday night, then traveling to Ottawa to face the 67’s for a Sunday afternoon match-up.

Scoring

1. SAG Sanderson, (6) (Pleckaitis, Murovich), 1:44

1. SAG Telegin, (15) (Skellett), 12:51

1. NIAG Hamilton, (10) (Agozzino), 19:06

2. NIAG Hasson, (1) (Andrews), 8:50

3. NIAG Insam, (4) , 2:54

3. SAG Sol, (4) , 4:51

3. NIAG Traccitto, (4) (Agozzino, Hamilton), 13:07 (PP)

3. NIAG Agozzino, (13) (Petgrave, Traccitto), 14:55 (PP)

3. NIAG Fritsch, (5) (Hamilton, Rover), 18:44