Ice Dogs hunted down by Wolves

On Jan. 21, the Niagara Ice Dogs made quite a case towards lobbying for a larger arena, playing the Sudbury Wolves in front of a sold out crowd of 3,145 at the Gatorade Garden City complex. Unfortunately the Dogs' six game home winning streak would be snapped in a close 4-3 loss to the Sudbury Wolves.

The Ice Dogs were without the services of several Team Canada Junior National team members, with Ryan Strome scratched and Dougie Hamilton on suspension from a head checking incident in Niagara's last game against the Wolves on Jan. 13. Goaltender Mark Visentin was in the lineup, but rode the pine as Christopher Festarini got the start in goal.

The Dogs jumped on the Wolves with early pressure with the game's first five shots, but Justin McFadden would give Sudbury a 1-0 lead on only their second shot at 3:21 into the first period. Michael Sgarbossa would assist on McFadden's fourth goal of the season on his way to a four point night (2 G, 2 A). Joshua Leivo picked up the other assist, his first of three on the night.

The Wolves would grab a two goal lead just under three minutes later compliments of Andrey Kuchin's 14th of the campaign. Tom Kuhnhackl would respond for the Dogs just 23 seconds later with a birthday gift to himself, set up by Freddie Hamilton and Steven Shipley.

Sgarbossa's 26th would restore the insurance marker at 13:46 as the Wolves went into the first intermission with a 3-1 lead.

In the second period, Niagara Captain Andrew Agozzino would score twice to tie things up with goals at 4:07 and 17:18 (PP) as the Dogs outshot the Wolves 17-9 in the period. Canadian Junior alum Jamie Oleksiak, recently acquired via trade from the Saginaw Spirit, picked up his first point as an Ice Dog on Agozzino's first goal of the game. Following Agozzino's second tally, his 26th of the campaign, Sgarbossa would restore the Wolves' lead less than a minute later at 18:06.

While the third period would go by without another marker, it would not be without its exciting moments. With 9:43 left, the Dogs lit the goal lamp but the referee immediately waived it off, allowing the play to continue as the puck did not cross the line.

The standing room only crowd poured on their support as the Ice Dogs looked for the equalizer, starting the wave with six minutes remaining. The Dogs pressed throughout the final minutes, pulling Festarini with 1:21 remaining as well as grabbing a power play for the last 28 seconds of the game.

Niagara outshot the Wolves 46-31, but couldn't come away with the victory. They would get back on track in a big way the following afternoon as seven different Ice Dogs chipped in goals en route to a 9-0 victory over the Peterborough Petes. Agozzino added another pair of back-to-back goals, David Pacan added a pair of his own in a three point night. Also with three point nights were Oleksiak and  Jesse Graham.

Niagara (28-14-0-3) sits just two points back of the Central Division lead with 59 points, but holding a game in hand over the Brampton Battalion. The Dogs next home game is Jan. 26 against the Belleville Bulls at 7:00 p.m.