Goal Tending Dominates the Week-end in Niagara

The Niagara Ice Dogs faced tough goal tending this week-end at the Jack Gatecliff Arena. With a 4-1 win over the Brampton Battalions Thursday night and a loss in a shoot-out to Sudbury Saturday, the Ice Dogs continue a five game point earning streak.

Thursday evening’s 4-1 win over the Brampton Battalions was a goaltending dual with the Battalion’s Keegan Wilson stopping 37 of 41 shots and at the other end of the ice, in his debut as an Ice Dog, Christopher Festarini stopped all but one of 31 shots.

Saturday had Visentin back in the net where he stopped 23 shots until the shoot-out. Johan Mattsson for the Sudbury would not make an easy night for the Ice Dogs. While the Ice Dog’s offense kept pounding away with 45 shots, the Sudbury net minder would allow only one goal in regulation time. Following a scoreless overtime period the Ice Dogs left the ice with a sole point as only Alex Friesen could score again the Wolves while the Michael Sgarbossa and Mathew Campagna scored for Sudbury.

Festarini’s victorious performance Thursday evening proved the Ice Dogs’ goal tending worries are over. While Visentin leads the league with 2 shut outs and is back in stellar form, his success comes at a price. This week’s announcement Visentin has been selected for Team OHL in the Super Subway series could be a sign of things to come such as selection to Team Canada. Such an honour however means missing games in December and January in order to participate in the World Juniors Championship.

With the Ice Dogs’ slow start this season they can ill afford to throw away any games. So with the anticipated absence of Visentin, the team needed a quality goalie partner on hand. Quality is what they seem to have found in Festarini, acquired in a trade with Erie. The departure of Niagara’s third goal tender Jaroslav Pavelka seems imminent

In conversation with Visentin, he credits the Ice Dogs’ win column improvement with the team tightening up defensively as well as the coaching staff “making sure the guys pay attention to the small details.” He adds his goalie partner Festarini played a solid game and was happy for him to get his first win with the team.

Now that the week-end games are over Visentin can begin to prepare for the up-coming Super Subway Series where he will join fellow Dogs Dougie Hamilton, Freddie Hamilton and Ryan Strome on Team OHL. While during the regular season many of his Team OHL or Team Canada team mates are rivals, Visentin looks forward to the Subway Series as being “a lot of fun, being part of those games, seeing your old friends again.”

While camaraderie may be one perk of being selected to represent one’s country, being a goaltender also has additional compensation. As a member of last year’s Team Canada Visentin was given a special goalie mask to wear and he proudly keeps. “It was a special feeling when I first saw that mask.”

Hockey Canada holds a contest with young hockey fans to design the mask for the Team Canada goal tenders. Visentin gives kudos to the young artists as he thinks his mask is “wicked”. Visentin got the black mask but admits he was a little jealous he couldn’t keep his partner Olivier Roy’s white mask as well because he “wanted both of them!”

His advice for artists entering this year’s competition? “Don’t be afraid to go crazy, put some cool designs on it, different things are what catch peoples’ eyes….. Try to be unique, try to be original.”

Visentin thinks the Hockey Canada contest is a “great opportunity for kids to get their stuff out there.” Details about this year’s contest can be found at http://www.hockeycanada.ca/DAM. The contest closes on November 18^th so get designing!

Dog Bytes:

• Many fans wondered aloud why Strome was not included as a shooter in Saturday evening’s shoot-out. (Theoret, Friesen, F. Hamilton were the chosen three)

• 200+ children participated in a between period Hallowe’en costume parade Saturday evening - so many it delayed the flood.

• 6 members of the St. Catharines City council (including Mayor McMullen) were in attendance Saturday evening. Research for a decision regarding a new arena???? Hmmmmmm……

• Yours truly was the between period guest with Chuck Lafleur on the Ice Dog game broadcast on www.theLakefm.ca (do we sense desperation for guests??? )

The Honeymoon is over at "The Jack"

When Bill Burke made the decision to purchase the Mississauga Ice Dogs and relocate the team to Niagara many naysayers felt Burke was making a huge mistake. The dilapidated conditions of the Jack Gatecliff Arena (aka “The Jack”) were sub par and many doubted Burke could develop an economically feasible business plan. Buoyed by St. Catharines Mayor Brian McMullan’s prediction of there only being 5-7 years of life left in the old barn, Burke was confident if he held in, a new facility would be available.

Now in the Ice Dog’s fifth season in Niagara there are still no plans for a replacement arena. The talk is getting louder, in fact some St. Catharines residents are shouting, why should the taxpayers build an Ice Dog Palace? The city is certainly divided on whether this new facility should be given the go ahead. At the last city council meeting a motion was put forward to hold a referendum to determine if the citizens of St. Catharines want to build a new spectator facility.

The fate of the Ice Dogs in Niagara may very well be in the hands of politicians.

Local MPP and season ticket holder Jim Bradley acknowledges the arena is due for replacement. “This has to be the oldest arena in the circuit. It is cozy, the fans are very enthusiastic, (it’s) very compact but requires hundreds of thousands of dollars each year to maintain because of its age…. A decision (for a new arena) is strictly up to city council, and I am not supposed to coach them but as a hockey fan it is always nice to see a top notch facility in any community….As a provincial member of parliament….if the city made the decision to proceed with the arena and were looking for funding sources outside of the city, they would come to the province of Ontario and the government of Canada. At that time it would my responsibility to advocate on their behalf.”

Ice Dog owner Bill Burke is tired of the moniker “Ice Dog Palace” to describe the new spectator facility. He is adamant the entire community would benefit from such a facility not just hockey fans. With the Ice Dogs as “anchor tenants” it could be a success for the whole city. Burke says a downtown facility would be more than two or three nights of hockey in the winter but rather year-round opportunities for other entertainment such as concerts. Partnering up with downtown restaurants and bars could make a terrific night out for anyone.

Burke sums up the conditions of the current arena in one word -brutal.

Burkes says he believes they “have worked hard to put a great team on the ice, every year has been competitive, it’s a great atmosphere but the amenities and the age of the rink, the concessions, the washrooms – its brutal.” Owning an OHL team is a business and Burke is aware peoples’ livelihood depends on the success of the team. The Ice Dogs have 15 full time employees, 52 on game day and these employees are counting on the team to be successful so they have their source of revenue. Burke says “we’re sold out every night and can’t break even. To make a go of it, the magic number is 3500 but up to 4500 is a proper business model. I don’t want to make any money but I don’t want to haemorrhage every year.”

Burke assures “we’re not holding a gun to anyone’s head, we love it in Niagara, we love the fans, the players love living here, they love playing here but we need a proper facility. The league was kind to us five years ago, but the honeymoon is over.”

Saturday night’s game against the Plymouth Whalers was another sold out game for the Ice Dogs. Following a 4-1 win over Ottawa Thursday night, it was a second consecutive much needed win for the struggling Dogs. Following back to back losses and a long bus home last week-end, Coach Williamson had the boys back on the ice early morning Sunday for an extra no-pucks allowed practice. Williams said “they needed a message” they are a 20 member team. Williamson says the team has a lot of character. They went on the ice and worked hard, no moaning and groaning, a matter of refocusing. And refocus they did. Williamson was pleased with their effort this week and is giving the boys a deserved day off this Sunday.

Williamson will be busy however figuring out what to do with his goaltending team. While Mark Visentin appears to be back healthy and in fine form (his second shutout of the year on Saturday night) the Dogs currently have three goal tenders. It appears Czech import Jaroslav Pavelka is the odd man out. Williamson says he will be speaking with Pavelka’s agent this week.

The Good , The Bad and The Ugly

It was the good, the bad and the ugly for the Niagara Ice Dogs this week-end. With an unusual three games in a row, the Niagara team had a loss, a win, and a come back win.

The Thursday night home opener was deemed as “ugly” in the head line of the local paper. With expectations high for the home time crowd, the home opener was a brutal 6-4 loss against the Mississauga Majors. With nine players attending NHL camps, the Ice Dogs have had limited time during training camp and the exhibition season to play together as a team. With Strome and Friesen still away, and their return iffy, and other players trying a little too hard to be the hero, the team lacked cohesion necessary if they are to meet the high predications of the pre-season. One bright light was the two goal performance of forward Joel Wigle.

Friday’s 4-2 win against the Barrie Colts was “good” as the crowd was able to see glimpses of what the Dogs might be able to do as the season progresses. Johnson Andrew was named first star of the game. On Thursday night Andrews hit the score sheet early with a penalty following a fight with Jamie Wise of the Majors. (http://www.hockeyfights.com/fights/105265) Andrews admits there has been a history with Wise and deemed this fight “as the rubber match” which was over too quickly and might need to be decided at another time. Friday evening against the Colts Andrews kept his gloves on and got on the score sheet with two goals to help his team to their first win of the season.

Andrews is the centre of the one of the many sub-plots of what is often a soap opera within the OHL. Currently Andrews is one of three over-agers on the Ice Dog roster. OHL rules make it necessary to have only three OAs come January. However, Andrew’s life long friend Alex Frieson is currently playing for the Chicago Wolves, AHL affiliate for Vancouver Canucks. The thinking is there is a 50-50 chance for Friesen’s return. While his return would be celebrated as a great addition to the Ice Dogs, it just might put Andrew’s spot as an over-ager on the team in jeopardy.

Growing up doors apart from each other in near-by Niagara-on-the-Lake, Friesen and Andrews played together their entire hockey careers. Still in close contact, Andrews says Friesen is enjoying his stay in Chicago and various reports state Friesen is doing well on the team. Time will tell how this drama unfolds. Will Friesen stay in the AHL honing his skills for a future NHL career but potentially losing out on an expected Memorial Cup run? Will Friesen’s return result in ousting his life long friend from the Ice Dog roster? Will Andrews unexpectedly bump David Pacan or Andrew Agozinno out of the line up to make room for Friesen? Only time will tell, but it is an interesting story to keep watching.

On Saturday night the Ice Dogs travelled to Belleville to face the Bulls. It began as a “bad” game with a quick 3-0 deficit early in the first. As first star of the game Freddie Hamilton stated in an after game interview, the team needed to “wake up” and they made a come back defeating the Bulls 5-3.

Dog Bytes:

• Ice Dogs opened their home season on Thursday night with an emotional tribute to James Dean, a local AAA player who passed away from cancer in the summer. The Niagara Ice Dogs have dedicated their season to James.
• Mark Visentin left Friday night’s game part way through the first suffering a groin injury. According to Coach Williamson he may be on the side lines a few weeks, Williamson rates it “a one out of three” injury.
• Back up goalie Jaroslav Pavelka, drafted from Czechoslovakia, may not speak any English but understands the body language of hockey. He received a standing O from the home crowd on Friday after a spectacular save from a Barrie Colt break-away. He was also named third star of the game against Barrie. Unfortunately the next night Pavelka was pulled early into the first period of the Belleville game, replaced by Niagara local Mike Gallardi after two quick goals by the Bulls.
• Recent Ice Dog acquisition from Sudbury, Brock Beukeboom, has been scratched for several weeks due to a back injury.
• Ryan Strome is still with the New York Islanders.
• Team Canada goalie scout Ron Tugnutt was in attendance Thursday night watching Visentin and Mississauga Major’s J.P Anderson. Unfortunately both goalies were not on the top of their game.
• Ice Dog mascot “Bones” celebrated his birthday on Friday night with cupcakes for all and a between period hockey game with several mascots from through out the region.
• Ice Dog coach Marty Williamson admits the team is “out of sync”. With NHL camp attendees as late arrivals to the team, expected players leaving for the OHL Subway Series as well as the Team Canada World Juniors tournament, it will be a difficult season for the Ice Dogs to get it together. I’m sure many OHL teams wish they had these problems.

Team Canada U20 (WJHC) CHL Invite Roster

A couple weeks back I looked at the Hockey Canada (HC) U18 Camp Invitee roster, with an OHL focus, and gave you my honest opinion on whether or not certain OHLers would make it. Now it is time to look at the OHLers named to the U-20, or World Junior Hockey Championship (WJHC). The crown jewel in Hockey Canada’s Program of Excellence (PoE). Below is the complete list of invitees, (OHL in BOLD), and then a breakdown of whether or not they have a shot at making the team.

Goaltenders:

Tyler Bunz, Medicine Hat Tigers, Louis Domingue, Quebec Remparts, Mark Visentin, Niagara IceDogs, Scott Wedgewood, Plymouth Whalers

Defencemen:

Nathan Beaulieu, Saint John Sea Dogs, Cody Ceci, Ottawa 67's, Jerome Gauthier-Leduc, Rimouski, Oceanic, Brandon Gormley, Moncton Wildcats, Erik Gudbranson, Kingston Frontenacs, Dougie Hamilton, Niagara IceDogs, Scott Harrington, London Knights, Martin Lefebvre, Quebec Remparts, Joe Morrow, Portland Winterhawks, Ryan Murphy, Kitchener Rangers, Ryan Murray, Everett Silvertips, Stuart Percy, Mississauga St. Michael's Majors, Matthew Petgrave, Owen Sound Attack, Mark Pysyk, Edmonton Oil Kings, Duncan Siemens, Saskatoon Blades

Forwards:

Michael Bournival, Shawinigan Cataractes, Brett Connolly, Prince George Cougars, Sean Couturier, Drummondville Voltigeurs, Phillip Danault, Victoriaville Tigres, Brendan Gallagher, Vancouver Giants

Freddie Hamilton, Niagara IceDogs, Patrick Holland, Tri-City Americans, Quinton Howden, Moose Jaw Warriors, Jonathan Huberdeau, Saint John Sea Dogs, Boone Jenner, Oshawa Generals, Ryan Johansen, Portland Winterhawks, Lucas Lessio, Oshawa Generals, Greg McKegg, Erie Otters, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Red Deer Rebels, Matthew Puempel, Peterborough Petes, Ty Rattie, Portland Winterhawks, Brett Ritchie, Sarnia Sting, Mark Scheifele, Barrie Colts, Michael Sgarbossa, Sudbury Wolves, Devante Smith-Pelly, Mississauga St. Michael's Majors, Ryan Spooner, Kingston Frontenacs, Mark Stone, Brandon Wheat Kings

Ryan Strome, Niagara IceDogs, Christian Thomas, Oshawa Generals, Tyler Toffoli, Ottawa 67's

OHL Breakdown: 2 Goaltenders, 7 Defenceman and 13 forwards. 22 of the 44 players attending the WJHC Camp are from the OHL. Dominance much?

Yay or Nay?

Mark Visentin, Niagara IceDogs – if you are new to ITO then you do not know that I am in love with this kid and his goaltending abilities. What started off as a mockery of bet at the CHL Top Prospects game has turned into a hate-hate relationship between Mark and I. But no matter what we personally agree or disagree on, this kid will be the starter yet again for Team Canada in December. And I do want to point out that last year when he was labeled the ‘backup’ I was yelling and screaming the whole time that he should have started the tournament. Game set and match, Brandon.

Scott Wedgewood, Plymouth Whalers – Unfortunately for Scott he has been playing in the shadows of phenomenal goaltending as he has come up through the years. Always the bridesmaid, never the bride for Scott and I have been yelling again, since day one that this kid needs more attention. Best kept secret in the OHL… despite Ryan Strome undressing him in that YouTube video. I know Scott is working hard to finally get a chance to wear the Red and White and I don’t see why this year he couldn’t make the roster.

Cody Ceci, Ottawa 67’s – since seeing him for the first time two seasons ago, I keep forgetting that Cody is not a veteran, but man does he play like one. He is 2012 NHL draft eligible and he has already just wowed me with his style of play. He has definitely come up through the HC PoE and I see that trend continuing here. At 6’2” and a staggering 205lbs there is nothing that will get in his way, not even some veterans to this team.

Erik Gudbranson, Kingston Frontenacs – what a past 12 months for Erik. Getting drafted, just missing the ability to sign with the FLA Panthers over an amount of money as low as $15,000 on the contract, forgetting how to play hockey, a suspension here and there, a team meltdown that gets him stripped of his ‘A’, another suspension and overall sucking in your game… and yet he still gets an invite to this years camp. Unlike last season when he made Team Canada, this year, the Florida Panthers will have him signed and he will not be allowed to go. End of story.

Dougie Hamilton, Niagara IceDogs – I am conflicted with Dougie here, not because of his ability or skill set. He will make Team Canada based on those qualities right there. He has the skill and size to make it, and his 9^th overall drafting in this years NHL Entry Draft proves he can play the game. But I am conflicted on whether or not he will be back in the OHL this season. Something tells me that he could stay with the Boston Bruins… Defenceman do take longer to develop than forwards, and it could hurt him to be there at a really young age… then again for Drew Doughty it didn’t hurt him and Dougie has size and build on him already. If Dougie puts on the pounds he could make BOS and if he does, he will not make Team Canada. If he is back in Niagara. Then he does not get the Christmas break off.

Scott Harrington, London Knights – here is my mandatory, I am a huge fan of the London Knights speech, and I am. I don’t care if I am media and I am supposed to be unbiased. I cant help it. But in this case, I can not see any scenario where Harrington will make Team Canada. He had a… well not awful year, but a very underwhelming draft year. Unless he comes out firing out of the gate and can carry the momentum this year in London… then he will be at home watching like the rest of us. And that is tough for me to say… you know, since I am a London Knights fan.

Ryan Murphy, Kitchener Rangers – So here is a kid who is left off the U18 roster for the Ivan Hlinka because he can not play defence. When the Rangers get knocked out of the playoffs he plays for the U18 team at the Worlds, despite him not being able to play defence. And then he gets drafted 12^th overall by the Carolina Hurricanes even though he can not play defence? Has everyone dropped that notion by now? No? ok fine, maybe he can not play D, but he will play for Team Canada.

Stuart Percy, Mississauga Majors – Now a lot of you will be saying who? Stuart Percy… selected 25^th by the Toronto Maple Leafs… a solid, stay at home defenceman who has wowed a lot of people this year into not only becoming a Top Prospect, but a first round draft pick. He may not possess bone crushing hits, or a big frame that may scare the opposition. But this kid knows his angles and knows how to play D. if him  and Murphy played together, would it make them the Odd Couple? He is wearing the maple leaf come Christmas.

Matt Petgrave, Owen Sound Attack – here is your recipient of a fantastic team season where he got loads of PP time and worked well in a system invitee… I am not trying to take anything away from Matt Petgrave but his invite is the result of the Owen Sound Attack coming from off the map to become the OHL Champions this year. The buck stops here Matt… but hey this will give you the time to reload your iPod… I hear Beyonce has a new album out.

Freddie Hamilton, Niagara IceDogs – the man with the Brows… or Brow. Depending in what light you are looking at him. Freddie has shown he is a pure sniper. What many didn’t know about him, is that he is a pretty complete player. And this year his stock rose immensely, thanks in part because of a teammate of his who I will get to later. It would be good to take them both on the team, but with the Head Coach being Don Hay from the WHL. This Hamilton may be in Calgary during the Christmas break… but he will be watching his brother.

Boone Jenner, Oshawa Generals – ‘are they yelling boooo? Or Boooooone?’ In the case of Mr. Burns the crowd was chanting BOO! But in Jenner's case, BOOOOOONNNNEEEE! Will this get him onto the team though? No sadly it will not.  A great talent who next season in the OHL will be a breakout star but with a lot of potential for veterans on the team, he will be a victim to the numbers game. Has played in HC PoE at every level and he will wear the Maple Leaf at the U20 soon. But not this year.

Lucas Lessio, Oshawa Generals – I love this kid, I love how he plays, love how he jokes, and I love how the crowd in Niagara hate him sooooooo much. Seriously though, this kid has not grown into his skill yet. Plays a much bigger game than his stature suggests and even though his stats did not set the world on fire, he was on a veteran team who clawed for every second they got to play. This season will be different but he will have to wait until the season after next to play for the red and white.

Greg McKegg, Erie Otters – The Pirate Captain himself, who was cut from last years team even though he was leading in Goals at the time. He finished the year strong and can provide a lot to this Team Canada team. I would look for him in a 3^rd/4^th line role, like Stefan Della Rovere was for Team Canada a few years ago. He makes the team hands down.

Matt Puempel, Peterborough Petes – Maybe it is because he doesn’t play NHL 11, no seriously, he is not a gamer at all. But Puempel has grown on me. He didn’t set the world on fire in his sophomore season like he did in his rookie campaign but the kid has gotten physically stronger. He lost the end of the year due to hip surgery but I am assured that he is stronger than before in his lower body. But I still don’t believe he never meant to shoot the puck at me back in October… he already wears maroon and white, and maroon is a darker red. Easy decision here.

Brett Ritchie, Sarnia Sting – Not every OHLer can make this team and here is one that I am very undecided on. A big, strong winger that is built like, and plays like he should be in the WHL, that is… if you want to stereotype leagues and players like that. since it is a coach from the WHL, I am inclined to say he will be one of the last players cut, or be a 13^th forward.

Mark Scheifele, Barrie Colts – a talented kid who put up numbers beyond expectations for a very weak Barrie Colts team. If he put up numbers like this on Mississauga, or another high offence team, there would be suspicion. In this case, was he deserving of 7^th overall and the future face of the Winnipeg Jets? Time will tell (I say yes). He can move, he can shoot, and he learned how to be a better defensive forward this year. Mark will get a long look, but it may not be this season he gets the nod and that is only because of the centreman who I will discuss soon.

Michael Sgarbossa, Sudbury Wolves – Wow this is a tough call, much like Scheifele, once he fell in Sudbury he made the most of his situation including carrying the entire team on his back. Ok not the entire team, because Marcus Foligno was carrying the other half of the team. But it was insane to see the difference in his game once he moved to Sudbury from Saginaw. In 26 games for the Spirit, 7G-13A-20Pts. In 37 games for Sudbury 29G-33A-62pts… Did he play more in the Bury? Definitely… but did he play with the same offensive type talent that Saginaw stockpiled? Definitely not. This kid has something in him, he didn’t get drafted the second time around, but his NHL invites will be interesting. A long look, but too one dimensional for my likes.

Devante Smith-Pelly, Mississauga Majors – what do I not like about this guy? Nothing. I love everything that he brings to the table. You want a tough mucker grinder who has the softest hands in the world who will get you those surprise goals that can turn the tournament in your favour. Then take DSP. Otherwise he will be sitting at home. I think it would be a shame to see him sitting at home, but he is similar to Ritchie, and Ritchie is a little lighter on his feet. Sorry DSP.

Ryan Spooner, Kingston Frontenacs – I know he has talent and skill and has played at the U17 and U18 tournament… but I just don’t realistically see him at this tournament wearing the Maple Leaf. Maybe it is something about his haircut, I don’t know. If he is a hot commodity heading into December, then I will be eating my words. Right now, I don’t see it.

Ryan Strome, Niagara IceDogs – SEE YOUTUBE. That is all I practically have to say. What else do you need to know? Tremendous vision, raised the stock of every player on the IceDogs by constantly feeding them easy goals after he did the hard work. Can skate with the pact and can dangle more than… Steve Dangle himself (although I have never seen Steve dangle, I assume he can with a name like that). Here is your, ‘must cry foul’ if Strome does not make Team Canada this Christmas.

Christian Thomas, Oshawa Generals – Here is one that many people, myself included, screamed to be on Team Canada this past tournament. Granted the team basically had muckers and grinders and here is a kid who had tremendous offensive talent, 54 goals to end the season, who is a speedy little guy too. Christian will not be denied this year otherwise I believe the Oshawa twitterverse will explode.

Tyler Toffoli, Ottawa 67’s – Speaking of crying foul, here is your OHL Goal Scoring leader for this past season. 57 tough love goals and he is cut from Team Canada. I don’t know who he ticked off, maybe it is just his size that people will dismiss him at. He has picked up his skating ability, one of the hardest shots in the league. And has had to battle a few things that you would not believe. Tough kid with character and of course, the Midas touch to goal scoring. I say yes… but I think Don Hay will say no.

FINALLY! That is all 22 OHLers and my personal opinion on whether or not they have a shot at making Team Canada during Christmas. 10 of the 22 I believe will make it, with 2 yes, but the NHL will decide. So I say a total of 12 OHLers could be on Team Canada this upcoming holiday season. And what would that mean? Another dominant effort by the greatest Major Junior league in the World. Hands down the OHL rules and by proxy, I rule because I cover the league!