The Niagara IceDogs come into the final week in October by winning three of their last four games and moving into sole possession of third place within the Central Division.  The IceDogs will have a chance to close the gap on second place Barrie when they welcome the Colts Thursday at 7:30 p.m. 

The Dogs hope to carry the momentum from their most recent battle, which saw them erase a two-goal third period deficit to win an inspiring overtime contest on Sunday in Brampton.

The 5-4 win was highlighted by Freddie Hamilton’s penalty shot artistry, where he embarrassed Brampton goaltender Patrick Killeen before tying the game in the final minutes, allowing Alex Friesen to notch the overtime winner. 

Matt Petgrave’s effort to break-up an empty netter was also game-saving, and Mark Visentin’s heroics were on full display in overtime.  

The win allowed the IceDogs to climb within five points of the division leading Mississauga St. Michaels Major’s and four points of the Barrie Colts, who beat Niagara in a 5-4 overtime decision on September 19th. 

Barrie is coming off a 3-1 win at home against Brampton, where Peter Di Salvo stopped 40 shots to move to 7-4-0-1 on the season. 

The IceDogs hope to shut down Barrie’s top snipers this time around, as Luke Pither notched a hat trick and Russian sensation Alexander Burmistrov picked up five points at the Gatorade Garden City complex in the opening week of the season.

Burmistrov ranks in the top ten among OHL scorers in his first season on North American soil, and is joined by Taylor Carnevale, Alex Hutchings and Stefan Della Rovere to form one of the leagues top offensive teams. 

The IceDogs have also established themselves with some offensively talented forwards through the first month of the season, with Alex Friesen’s 23 points ranking him 5th in league scoring and Chris DeSousa’s 22 points good enough for 7th.  Andrew Agozzino already has 10 goals on the campaign, and Niagara’s secondary scoring has come alive lately, with Freddie Hamilton and Andrew Shaw chipping in.

On Friday night Niagara will travel to Sudbury to clash with a Wolves team that the IceDogs were able to handle 7-3 just over a week ago.  Since that loss, Sudbury has won two straight contests by shutting out Brampton 3-0 then blanking Sarnia 4-0.

The week will be closed out for a Halloween match-up on Saturday night, as Niagara will travel to the Barrie Molson Centre for the first time this season to square-off against the Colts for the second time in three nights.

 Prizes will be awarded to fans with the most decorative Halloween costumes this Thursday, and the first 100 kids through the door will receive a gift bag courtesy of the Bulk Bark. 

-Brett Vancise