After two straight weekends of playing three games in three nights, the IceDogs will get a little reprieve this week as they only play two games, both in the friendly confines of the Gatorade Garden City Complex. 

Niagara's lineup received a makeover last week, as Ryan Strome was assigned to Niagara by the New York Islanders and Mark Visentin returned from an injury that kept him out for two weeks.  Both players made an immediate impact as Strome netted a hat trick and Visentin posted a shutout in their first game back.

Niagara also added defenceman Frank Schumacher in a trade with the Sudbury Wolves on Wednesday, immediately inserting him into the lineup on Thursday against Belleville.  At 6’1 and 204lbs, Schumacher will be tasked with shutting down the opposition’s best forwards.    

The IceDogs’ powerplay continues to pace the OHL, operating at 31.6% efficiency, leading the second place Erie Otters by a full 3%.  The additions of Alex Friesen and Ryan Strome will ensure that Niagara remains among the league leaders in this category for the entire season. 

Heading into the weekend, the Hamilton brothers lead the team in scoring, racking up 33 points between them.  Dougie Hamilton sits atop the league in scoring by a defenceman with 5 goals and 12 assists.   

Thursday, October 20^th vs. Ottawa 67’s

Heading into the 2011-2012 season, both Ottawa and Niagara were considered early favourites to win the Eastern Conference.   Thus far, the 67's have lived up to expectations as they enter Thursday’s matchup as the second place team in the East Division. 

In the first of four meetings between the two teams this season, the IceDogs will look to carry over their success against Ottawa, after winning three of four meetings in 2010/2011.  Fans will be treated to a great goaltending matchup as Ottawa’s goaltender Petr Mrazek will battle Mark Visentin.  Mrazek, a Detroit Red Wings draft pick, has picked up where he left off last season, posting a goals against average of 2.34 and .925 save percentage.

Ottawa’s offense is led by 2010 NHL draft pick Tyler Toffoli (LAK) who led the Ontario Hockey League in goals (57) and tied for the league lead with 108 points in 2010-2011.  Toffoli’s linemate Shane Prince is off to a slow start after finishing second on the team with 88 points a year ago.  IceDogs fans will remember Prince as the Ottawa player that Tim Billingsley crushed with an open-ice hit in their final meeting last season. 

Fans should also watch out for sophomore forward Sean Monahan, who currently leads the 67’s in scoring with 17 points through the first nine games, after scoring 47 in his rookie season. 

Saturday, October 22^nd vs. Plymouth Whalers

After suffering a 6-3 loss to the Whalers only a week ago, the IceDogs will look to split the season series at a game apiece.  Niagara will need to have a better start here at home after surrendering the lead in the first period and failing to recapture it for the duration of the game.  Niagara outshot Plymouth 41-35, but was unable to mount any momentum, scoring only one goal in each period.

The last time that Plymouth made the trip to Niagara, Ryan Strome welcomed them with one of the most impressive goals in all of hockey last season.  The video instantly made Strome a YouTube sensation and grabbed the attention of many NHL scouts.  After scoring the goal, Strome took the league by storm, finishing with 106 points. 

Like the IceDogs, the Whalers have a number of NHL drafted players throughout their lineup, including three first round draft picks from the 2011 NHL Entry Draft – centres J.T. Miller (NYR) and Rickard Rakell (ANA), and winger Stefan Noesen (OTT).  Miller reported to Plymouth after turning down an opportunity to play at the University of North Dakota. 

In goal, Michigan native Matt Mahalak has outplayed veteran Scott Wedgewood thus far, registering a 2.57 GAA and .913SV%.  The Whalers will need great goaltending if they hope to contain the high octane offense of the IceDogs. 

So far this season, Plymouth has been scoring by committee, with only one player – J.T. Miller – scoring at a point per game pace.  Three forwards are tied for the team lead with 9 points.