The Niagara IceDogs opened up the exhibition season with an impressive 4-3 win in Erie against the Otters on Saturday night. 

Marco Insam scored twice to lead the Dogs, who looked like they were in midseason form before a crowd of 2006 at Tullio Arena in Erie.

The Otters enjoyed a five on three power play just a few minutes into the game and took advantage.  Mike Cazzola tipped home a shot from the point to open the scoring at the 2:43 mark.

The IceDogs couldn’t capitalize on a four minute power play with Otters Goaltender Shane Owen coming up big on the penalty kill.

IceDogs goaltender John Chartrand was under distress in the first making 13 saves and going into the intermission down 1-0. 

The second period would be a different story as the tandem of Freddie Hamilton and Andrew Fritsch would maintain constant pressure on Erie defenders. 

Scoring in the second period was opened up when Freddie Hamilton banged home a power play goal at the 6:05 mark when a scrum in front of the net ensued to tie the game at one.

Erie would regain the lead when they scored their second power play goal of the game thanks to Matt Paton beating Chartrand at the 11:48 mark making it 2-1.

As expected, both teams would change up their goaltenders half way through the second period with Christopher Festarini taking over for Erie and highly touted Finnish netminder Petteri Simila backstopping the IceDogs.

Marco Insam scored on a rebound with 1:08 left in the second period for the IceDogs to tie the game at two.  Niagara would jump in front just twelve seconds later when Jason Shaw ripped home his first of the preseason making it 3-2 at the end of the second period.

The third period opened up with Freddie Hamilton breaking in alone on Festarini but being turned away on a spectacular save. 

Josh Sidwell would then tie the game up for Erie 59 seconds into the period when he slapped home a one timer on a nice pass from Andrew Yogan, which knotted the game at three. 

Marco Insam would pick up his second goal of the game at the 9:01 mark when he beat Festarini by pouncing on a rebound to give Niagara a 4-3 advantage.

Andrew Shaw would maintain his reputation as one of the tough guys in the OHL when he went toe to toe with Stephen Genua, who ended up on his back at the end of the bout. 

Erie would pull their goaltender, but couldn’t beat Simila, who preserved a 4-3 win for Niagara, and maintained a strong argument to push for the starting goaltending job.  

The IceDogs will come back home for the remainder of the preseason starting Sept. 5 and Sept. 6 with back to back games against Erie.  They will then close out exhibition play on on Sept. 10 against Guelph before the regular season opener Sept. 17 vs Kingston. 

Brett Vancise

Media Relations