The Niagara IceDogs were able to jump out to a 2-0 lead, but gave up four goals in the third period to fall 6-3 at the hands of the Brampton Battalion on Thursday night.  Brampton had a hat trick from Sam Carrick and 29 saves from Patrick Killeen, as the IceDogs record fell to 2-4-2-0. 

Chris DeSousa opened the scoring when he wristed one past a screened Killeen making it 1-0 IceDogs.  Freddie Hamilton and newly acquired Josh Moes drew the assist.  Moes was picked up earlier this week in a trade with Owen Sound in exchange for a 5th round pick in the 2010 priority selection draft. 

Niagara extended the lead as Andrew Agozzino threw one at the net where it hit a Dylan MacEachern in front before finding the back of the net making it 2-0.  Shortly after, storied Battalion coach Stan Butler let his displeasures known to the referees who handed him a bench minor.

The fans had a lot cheer about in the first as Matt Baldassarra and Alex O’Neil dropped the gloves and threw a series of haymakers that ended in a pair of 5 minute majors and a pool of blood on the ice. 

Brampton was lucky to be only down two goals after the opening period, as Killeen was the only thing from keeping the game from getting out of hand early.  Niagara held a 18-9 shot advantage after twenty minutes. 

After the IceDogs were able to kill of a 5-on-3 Battalion power play, Brampton was able to get on the board just seconds after as Cameron Wind blasted one past a screened Mark Visentin making it 2-1.

Niagara almost made it a two-goal advantage when Andrew Fritsch pounced on a rebound only to be robbed by the right pad of Killeen, as the Pittsburgh Penguins prospect continued to keep his team in the game.

Brampton was able to feed off their goaltender as Thomas Stajan threw one at the net from a bad angle that deflected past Visentin making it 2-2.  The flow of the game in the second period was much different than the first, as Brampton was able to outshoot Niagara 18-4 in the second period making it a 2-2 deadlock heading into the third frame.

The 2-2 tie didn’t last long, as Freddie Hamilton was able to fly down the wing and beat Killeen just 47 seconds into the third period to give the IceDogs the lead.  Agozzino and Jay Gilbert drew the assists.

Brampton would answer back at the 3:30 mark, as Sam Carrick’s shot from the point squeaked threw the five-hold of Visentin and crossed the line making it 3-3. 

The Battalion took their first lead of the game when Stajan notched his second by rifling it over the glove of Visentin giving Brampton a 4-3 advantage. 

The IceDogs third period collapse continued when the Battalion power play struck after a Dougie Hamilton slashing penalty allowed Ian Watters to set up Carrick for his second of the night making it 5-3 Brampton.

Killeen saved his best for last as he robbed Marco Insam with a sparkling glove save from point blank range midway through the third.

The Brampton siege wasn’t over, as Carrick completed the hat trick just moments after Jay Gilbert stepped out of the box by tipping home a shot from the point making it a 6-3 final. 

The IceDogs will seek revenge on Friday night as they close out a home-and-home series in Brampton at 7:30p.m.  Niagara will then get five days to prepare for the Owen Sound Attack who come to St. Catharines on Thursday, October 15 at 7:30p.m.  

Notes:  Overall shot were 41-32 in favour of Brampton…Niagara is only connecting on 9.7% of their power play opportunities this season, as they were scoreless on the man advantage…Battalion star Cody Hodgson is yet to suit up for Brampton since being sent down by the Vancouver Canucks…2704 fans were in attendance…Josh Moes, Thomas Stajan, and Sam Carrick were the third, second and first stars. 

Scoring Summary

1. NIAG DeSousa, (5) (Hamilton, Moes), 7:07
 

1. NIAG MacEachern, (1) (Agozzino), 9:25
 

2. BRA Wind, (2) (Tanski, Stajan), 4:00
 

2. BRA Stajan, (1) (Alberga, Goodrow), 17:18
 

3. NIAG Hamilton, (3) (Agozzino, Gilbert), 0:47
 

3. BRA Carrick, (1) (Peroff, Clark), 3:30 (PP)
 

3. BRA Stajan, (2) (Albert), 5:07
 

3. BRA Carrick, (2) (Watters, Peroff), 7:47 (PP)
 

3. BRA Carrick, (3) (Watters, Clark), 14:30
 

-Brett Vancise