The Niagara IceDogs closed out exhibition play with a 4-2 win over the visiting Guelph Storm on Thursday night. 2351 fans saw the Dogs final preseason test which was highlighted by goaltender Mark Visentin’s 39 saves.

Fans were still settling into their seats when Matthew Maione struck for the IceDogs making it 1-0 just 18 seconds into the first frame. The quick goal was a sign of things to come as Niagara continued to pepper Guelph netminer Matt Hoyle throughout the entirety of the period.

Niagara would stretch their lead to two when Alex Friesen banged one past Hoyle making it 2-0. Reggie Traccitto and Andrew Fritsch continued their strong play in the preseason, drawing assists.

The IceDogs would tack on another before the end of the first when Freddie Hamilton scored a power play marker making it 3-0. Mike Schwindt and Mitchell Theoret drew the assists on a cohesive power play where the Niagara first unit was hitting on all cylinders.

The pace of play slowed in the second period where Visentin was the key in killing off numerous penalties and was able to come away on the better half of a couple scrambles in his crease.

Guelph finally got on the board in the first ninety seconds of the third period as Cody McNaughton scored an unassisted marker to make it 3-1.

Mathew Sisca made his return to the Gatorade Garden City for the first time since and off-season trade sent him from Niagara to Guelph in exchange for Dylan Wood and a second round pick. Sisca made a fashionable impression on the IceDogs fans by burying a third period marker making it 3-2.

The one goal deficit was short lived as Johnson Andrews broke short handed on Hoyle and snapped it top shelf to extend Niagara’s lead to 4-2.

Niagara’s Jason Shaw and Guelph’s Carter Sandlak brought the fans to their feet with a third period fight where each player exchanged their share of shots and were handed Game Misconducts as per OHL exhibition criteria.

Both teams were still without key components of their rosters as Niagara were played minus Andrew Aggozino, Chris DeSousa, Petteri Simila and Alex Pietrangelo who were all at their respective NHL camps. Guelph was without a weath of talent including Peter Holland, Taylor Beck Adam Comrie and Michael Latta.

The IceDogs finish the preseason 2-0-2 and are now ready for hockey that counts starting Thursday Sept. 17 against Kingston at the Gatorade Garden City Complex. There are still 500 seats available for the opener, so get your tickets and to ensure you don’t miss what is sure to be a great game.