Fans were hoping for Andrew Fritsch and Andrew Shaw to keep their hot-streaks ablaze, and the pair did just that as the IceDogs defeated the Plymouth Whalers 4-2 in front of a 2,864 crowd at the Gatorade Garden City Complex Thursday night.

Plymouth opened the scoring with a power play goal as Leo Jenner blasted one from the point past IceDogs net-minder Mark Visentin.

Ex-IceDog Jay Gilbert took a hooking penalty at the 10:34 mark of the first, shortly followed by Joe Gaynor taking a high-sticking penalty, which gave the Dogs a 5-on-3 advantage.

Andrew Fritsch continued his impressive play as of late by netting his 10th goal of the year on the aforementioned power play, with Traccitto and Friesen recording the assists.

Matt Petgrave got the crowd going with a bone-crushing hit in the IceDogs zone and he sent Whalers centre Robbie Czarnik head over heels.

Niagara’s Alex Friesen took a penalty shortly after, and Beau Schmitz continued the scoring for the Whalers on the power play with help from power-house Tyler Seguin and defender Leo Jenner, providing Plymouth a 2-1 lead after 20 minutes.

Plymouth almost gained a 2-goal lead when Czarnik broke into the IceDogs zone shorthanded and backhanded the puck off the post and behind Visentin. The play was reviewed, and it was determined the puck did not cross the line and the goal was disallowed.

Following that play, Jay Gilbert was called on a hooking penalty, causing Whalers coach Michael Vellucci to voice his disapproval, which led to an unsportsmanlike penalty and a game misconduct for Vellucci.

The IceDogs were awarded a 5-on-3 power play and Reggie Traccitto capitalized on a clapper from the point, tying the game at 2-2 going into the second intermission.

Niagara came out physical in the third, stirring things up in front of the respective nets. Friesen, Andrew Shaw, and Johnson Andrews all threw huge hits to keep the momentum going.

Andrew Shaw continued his exceptional hustle by taking a beautiful breakaway pass from Dylan MacEachern, and sniped one over the left shoulder of Whalers goalie Scott Wedgewood to give the Dogs their first lead of the game.

The IceDogs would only continue to press on as their play was solid defensively, allowing them to shut down the OHL scoring leader, Tyler Seguin. Mark Visentin returned as starting goaltender after sitting out for three games and played a great game between the pipes, stopping 17 shots and notching 2 assists.

Josh Moes sealed the deal by flipping one into the empty net to make the final score 4-2 for the IceDogs. 

Niagara now has a perfect 2-0 record in 2010.

The IceDogs will travel to London to face the Knights Friday evening at 7:30 p.m. The Dogs cap off the weekend Sunday in Kitchener as they face-off against the Rangers with a 6:00 p.m. puck drop.

For all home-game photos, please visit www.rickdenham.com

- Jeff Blay, Media Relations

Scoreboard:

1. PLY Jenner, (6) (Schmitz), 9:02 (PP)    
1. NIAG Fritsch, (10) (Traccitto, Friesen), 12:31 (PP)    
1. PLY Schmitz, (5) (Seguin, Jenner), 14:27 (PP)    
2. NIAG Traccitto, (10) (Friesen, Agozzino), 19:46 (PP)    
3. NIAG Shaw, (7) (MacEachern, Visentin), 8:12     
3. NIAG Moes, (6) (Petgrave, Visentin), 19:07 (EN)

Three Stars:

1. Alex Friesen - 2A, +1

2. Reggie Traccitto - 1G, 1A

3. Andrew Shaw - Game Winning Goal, 5 points in 3 games.

Honourable Mention: Andrew Fritsch - 1G, 7 points in 3 games, Mark Visentin - 17 saves, 2A, Matt Petgrave - Solid defensively, huge hits.