The Niagara IceDogs were defeated 5-1 by the Ottawa 67’s in a hard fought Game 5 battle at the Scotiabank Place Sunday afternoon. 67’s assistant captain Corey Cowick, and goaltender Petr Mrazek, gave the 67’s the edge they needed to beat the IceDogs and advance to the second round of the 2010 OHL Playoffs.

The game was off to a physical start as Andrew Shaw was hit from behind by Nicholas Foglia, which led to a short scrap between Mitchell Theoret and Foglia. Theoret received an instigator penalty, as well as a fighting major and a game misconduct, while Foglia received 4 minutes for checking from behind and no fighting major, which eventually gave the 67’s a 3 minute power play.

Tyler Toffoli netted his 6th goal of the post season shortly after the fight while the play was still at even strength, and Corey Cowick followed up with a goal while on the power play to give Ottawa an early 2-0 lead.

The 67’s would take the 2-0 lead into the dressing room after the first period of play.

Niagara struck first in the second, as Marco Insam carried the puck up the right wing on an individual effort, and blasted an absolute rocket past Petr Mrazek at the 3:28 mark to cut the 67’s lead to 2-1.

The IceDogs kept up the pressure and controlled the play for most of the second period, until Corey Cowick potted his second goal of the game at the 16:23 mark to give the 67’s a 3-1 lead to take into the third period.

Cowick would continue to make his presence known in the third, as his big body presence in front of the IceDogs net almost got him his hat-trick goal. However, after a rather lengthy video review, the goal was waved off, and the score remained 3-1 in Ottawa’s favour.

The IceDogs were given a power play opportunity late in the third, and they pulled Mark Visentin to get the extra skater in efforts to tie the game. However, Corey Cowick took off on a breakaway where he was taken down by Andrew Agozzino. Since the net was empty, Cowick was awarded an automatic goal instead of a penalty shot, allowing him to record his first career OHL hat-trick.

Cowick did it once again in the empty net shortly after, picking up his 4th goal of the game, and allowing Ottawa to pick up a 5-1 victory and take the series 4 games to 1.

Credit should be given to this young IceDogs team, who battled through adversity, controversy, and criticism throughout the 2009-10 season. Sitting in last place midway through the season, the Dogs made an incredible effort to work as a team and climb the rankings to give their fans a taste of playoff hockey.

The IceDogs will continue to work hard through the summer, and with many players returning, coupled with a handful of draft picks, fans can look forward to a successful and exciting 2010-11 season.

Thanks should go to all the loyal IceDogs fans who continued to support the team throughout the good and bad times – surely a key factor in helping the Dogs make the playoffs. Have a great summer, and see you next season!

- Jeff Blay, Media Relations


Scoreboard:
1. OTT Toffoli, (5) (Gibbons, Lindsay), 5:09    
1. OTT Cowick, (2) (Cuma, Nigro), 8:15 (PP)    
2. NIAG Insam, (1) , 3:28    
2. OTT Cowick, (3) (Merrett, Gibbons), 16:23    
3. OTT Cowick, (4) , 17:47 (EN/SH)    
3. OTT Cowick, (5) (Demers), 19:21 (EN/SH)

Three Stars:
1. OTT - 27 Corey Cowick
2. OTT - 1 Petr Mrazek
3. NIAG - 27 Dougie Hamilton

Honourable Mention: Marco Insam - 1G