The Freddie Hamilton Show continued for the IceDogs Thursday night, as the 18 year-old centre netted two goals to lead Niagara to a 2-1 win over the London Knights in the first of two sold out games at the Gatorade Garden City Complex this weekend.

The IceDogs came out physical in the first period with various players throwing their weight around and controlling the hitting game.

London is known for their physicality, but Niagara was dominant throughout the first period. However, Knights’ winger Colin Martin threw a check to the head on IceDogs assistant captain Alex Friesen, who was shaken up by the hit and did not return to the ice for the remainder of the first. (Friesen did return in the second, and played the rest of the game.)

Niagara’s penalty kill was top-notch as they killed off a 5-on-3 Knights advantage, shutting down Nazem Kadri and the explosive London offense.

Both respective goaltenders were also outstanding through one period of play, and the game remained scoreless going into the first intermission.  

The IceDogs had another strong start in the second, taking their physical momentum and turning it into a goal. Freddie Hamilton continued his hot-streak as he netted his 20th of the season on the power play to give the Dogs a 1-0 lead.

The two teams played a chippy style for the rest of the second, but Hamilton’s goal at the 1:44 mark was the only tally of the period, giving Niagara the 1-0 advantage after 40 minutes.

Freddie Hamilton took the game into his own hands again in the third – this time roofing the puck bar-down on a 2-on-1 break with Matt Petgrave to pick up his second goal of the game, and give the Dogs a 2-0 lead

The IceDogs found themselves killing off another 5-on-3 midway through the third, and Knights defender Steven Tarasuk capitalized by slapping one past Visentin from the top of the circle, giving the game a 2-1 score.

The Knights pulled their goalie in a last-ditch effort to tie the game, but Niagara’s physical edge prevailed.

Ex-IceDog Chris DeSousa tried to stir things up in front of the Visentin, but Freddie Hamilton would not let DeSousa take the game away from him. Hamilton dropped his gloves for the first time in his OHL career and went toe-to-toe with DeSousa, which gave the Dogs and fans enough momentum to finish the game with a score of 2-1.

The win was crucial for the IceDogs as they continue to close in on playoff spot.

The IceDogs will take Friday off before returning to action Saturday night with a 7:00 p.m. puck drop, as they play host to Taylor Hall and the Windsor Spitfires. This game is also completely SOLD OUT. However, fans can watch the game on Cogeco Channel 10, or listen on 105.1 The River.


- Jeff Blay, Media Relations


Scoreboard:
2. NIAG Hamilton, (20) (Moes, Traccitto), 1:44 (PP)    
3. NIAG Hamilton, (21) (Petgrave, Shaw), 2:28    
3. LDN Tarasuk, (15) (Erlich), 10:23 (PP)

Three Stars:
1. NIAG - Freddie Hamilton - 2 goals, +1, Fight vs. DeSousa
2. NIAG - Mark Visentin - 27 Saves
3. LDN - Michael Hutchinson - 36 Saves

Honourable Mention: Matt Petgrave - 1A, +1, Last to leave the ice after each period.