Jaroslav Pavelka, selected 52^nd in the 2011 CHL Import draft, began the season filling in for an injured Mark Visentin, fighting for a permanent backup position with sophomore Mike Gallardi. But Pavelka got a taste of what it means to be a true OHL substitute goaltender, starting his first game in a Spitfires uniform in place of the ill starter John Cullen after Pavelka was acquired in a trade from the IceDogs for Tom Kuhnackl. And with Christopher Festarini manning the IceDogs’ goal, it was a battle of the backups Saturday night.

The IceDogs got to work early, scoring on their first shot of the game 1:51 into the first period. The goal came courtesy of one of the team’s top-producing lines as of late, the overager line, and was scored by Alex Friesen off of a behind-the net pass from captain Andrew Agozzino. Niagara kept Pavelka busy through the first half of the period and 8:41 into the period, the OHL’s top power play was put to the test and answered the call when Freddie Hamilton poked the puck in the net courtesy of brother Dougie.

Joel Wigle got into penalty trouble during the first period, called for slashing with 7:07 left in the period and seven seconds after being let out of the box, was sent back for interference. The second penalty was the costly one, as a slap shot on the power play from the far blue line by Brandon Devlin spoiled the IceDogs’ lead. However, just 36 seconds after Windsor’s first goal, Ryan Strome scooped up a Jesse Graham slap shot and restored Niagara’s lead to two.

The second period opened with a number of IceDog shots, and a penalty assessed to Spitfires sophomore Nick Ebert gave Niagara the opportunity they needed; Strome tapped in a Friesen shot from the opposite side of the net to record his second goal of the game and 11^th of the season, making the score 4-1. The period continued to be tilted to Niagara’s side of the rink, with an exception being a Spitfires goal by Nick Czinder after he returned to the ice following a scuffle with Milan Doudera. At the start of the second intermission, Niagara led Windsor in shots 31-19.

The IceDogs’ offensive drive spilled over into the third period but with five minutes left in regulation, a momentum shift led to a shot by Nick Ebert and the ensuing rebound by Brady Vail turned what was a 4-1 lead for Niagara in the first half of the second period into a 4-3 margin. But Niagara hung on during a strong Windsor offensive and walked away with the victory. Their next game is Thursday versus the rival Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors, who currently hold the top spot in the division.

Game Summary
1. 1:51 NIAG Friesen (6) (Agozzino, Pacan)
1. 8:31 NIAG F. Hamilton (12) (D. Hamilton) (PP)      
1. 15:38 WSR Devlin (2) (Webermin, Rychel) (PP)      
1. 16:14 NIAG Strome (10) (Graham, F. Hamilton)
2. 6:41 NIAG Strome (11) (Agozzino, Friesen) (PP)
2. 13:34 WSR Czinder (8) (Devlin)
3. 15:43 WSR Vail (7) (Ebert)