The Niagara IceDogs entered today’s afternoon tilt with the Mississauga Majors, looking for a win before they begin their Christmas Break.  On paper, it appeared that the Dogs would have their work cut out for them, as the Majors are currently ranked # 7 nationally and third in the Eastern Conference trailing only the Barrie Colts and the Peterborough Petes in the standings.  The Dogs on the other hand, have been on the wrong end of many one-goal games and find themselves at the bottom of the Eastern Conference.  Add to this the fact that the Dogs have been shutout in their previous two visits to the Hershey Centre and one would think the odds were heavily in the Majors favour.

However, in today’s contest, the Dogs looked anything but underdogs, hanging tough with the Majors through the first two periods before Captain Andrew Agozzino put the team on his back in the third period. 

The Majors took a 1-0 leading into the first intermission on a goal from defenceman Blake Parlett (5).  After being stymied by Majors goaltender Chris Carrozzi in the first period, the Dogs finally broke their scoreless drought at the Hershey Centre this season, as Reggie Traccitto (9) scored on a bullet shot from the point, to tie the game at one. 

Traccitto’s goal seemed to swing the momentum in Niagara’s favour heading into the third period as the Dogs jumped out to an early lead on a goal from Andrew Agozzino (20) at the 1:45 mark of the third.  The goal was Agozzino’s team leading 20th of the season.  With a Mississauga player in the box for checking to the head the Dogs took advantage.  After a huge save by Niagara goaltender Mark Visentin at one end of the ice, Agozzino (21), made the Majors defenders look like pylons, as he rushed end to end before beating Carrozzi top shelf to put the Dogs ahead 3-1 with less than six minutes to play in the game.  Aggie’s two goals in the third period were accompanied by stellar goaltending from Visentin, as he made 20 big saves in the period.
With Carrozzi on the bench and the extra attacker on the ice, the Majors got to within one of the Dogs as Mayer (16), scored with 4.84 seconds to go in the contest.  But it was too little too late, as the Dogs skated to an impressive 3-2 victory over the heavily favoured Majors.

With the win the Dogs improve to a record of 3-2 over the Majors this season, and an overall record of 11-20-2-3, while the Majors fall to 24-7-3-1. 
After a well deserved Christmas Break the Dogs will look to continue their winning ways as they head to Owen Sound to take on the Attack on Wednesday December 30 at 7:00 p.m.  The Dogs will then look to ring in the New Year with a win, as they play host to the Erie Otters on Thursday December 31st at a special start time of 6:00 p.m at the Gatorade Garden City Complex.  Kids are encouraged to bring along their skates in order to participate in our annual New Years Eve Skate with the Dogs after the game.

Fans are reminded that tickets for this game and all other Niagara IceDogs home games are available to be purchased at all IceDogs ticketing locations.

Happy Holidays!

-    Brianne Whitty, Community Relations


Scoreboard:
1. MISS Parlett, (5), (Cramarossa, Percy), 15:28
2. NIA Traccitto, (9), (Friesen, Agozzino), 12:10 PP
3. NIA Agozzino, (20), (Hamilton), 1:45
3. NIA Agozzino, (21), (Shaw), 14:46 PP
3. MISS Mayer, (16), (Gaunce, Flick), 19:55

Three Stars:
1. NIA- 9 Andrew Agozzino (2G, 1A)
2. NIAG - 31 Mark Visentin (35 of 37 Saves)
3. NIAG- 12 Reggie Traccitto (1G)

Holiday Hours

Our office at 35 Queen Street, St.Catharines will be open Monday December 21-Wednesday December 23, 9:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m, closed on December 24th and 25th, reopening on Monday December 28th (regular business hours).

If you are looking for last minute gift ideas please visit our IceDogs Retail Kiosk at the Pen Centre, located near the food court area.  The Kiosk will be open during regular mall hours now through December 23rd.  All IceDogs retail merchandise can be purchased at our Kiosk.