The Niagara IceDogs clinched a playoff spot as they picked up a point in a shootout loss against the Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors in front of 2,930 fans at the Gatorade Garden City Complex Thursday night. Although the game was not completely sold out, it seemed like one of the loudest crowds of the year cheering the Dogs on.

Rob Flick opened the scoring for the Majors by going five-hole on OHL Player of the Week, Mark Visentin, after an awkward play in front of the IceDogs net, giving Mississauga a 1-0 lead.

The rest of the period was scoreless and the Majors held onto their 1-0 lead heading into the first intermission.

The second period was scoreless as well; both teams traded some power play opportunities, but the score remained at 1-0 in favour of the St. Michael’s Majors after 40 minutes. Shots were 18-16 for Mississauga through two periods.

Another goal would not come until the 8:30 mark of the third, when Andrew Shaw snapped one into the back of the net after taking a perfect pass by Ryan Strome to tie the game 1-1 and provide the IceDogs with some life.

Shaw was my pick at the beginning of the season to really break out for Niagara this year, and he always seems to score when the Dogs need it most.

Shaw’s goal would be the only tally of the third period, and the game was taken into overtime – each team gaining at least one point in the match-up, allowing the Dogs to clinch a 2010 playoff berth. 

The overtime period trended like the rest of the game, and no goals were scored by either team, taking the game into a shootout.

Both Mississauga players scored in the shootout, and both IceDogs players missed, giving the Majors a shootout win and 3 points.

The IceDogs return to action Saturday night in what will be their last home game of the regular season, as they play host to the Belleville Bulls with the puck drop set for 7:00 p.m. The weekend concludes in Mississauga as the Dogs will make the trek up the QEW to face the Majors once again in the last game of the regular season.

Tickets for Saturday’s home game are still available and can be purchased at any IceDogs ticketing location.

- Jeff Blay, Media Relations
  http://twitter.com/JeffBlayIceDogs


Scoreboard:
1. MISS Flick, (15) , 7:19   
3. NIAG Shaw, (11) (Strome), 8:30

Shootout:
NIAG - Agozzino - Miss
MISS - Mayer - Goal
NIAG - F. Hamilton - Miss
MISS - Wallen - Goal

Three Stars:
1. NIAG - Mark Visentin
2. MISS - Blake Parlett
3. NIAG - Ryan Strome

Honourable Mention: Andrew Shaw - 1G, +1.