Saturday night’s game between the Barrie Colts and Niagara IceDogs in St. Catharines was not only a battle for the top spot in the Central Division, it was a battle between the league’s Player of the Month, Barrie Colts’ Tanner Pearson and the Defenceman of the Month, Niagara IceDogs’ Dougie Hamilton, who was given the honour for the second consecutive month.  With both teams coming off of victories (courtesy of the Erie Otters), and Niagara hoping to continue their longest win streak of the season, the game was sure to be closely contested.

Niagara’s first star in their last game versus Erie, captain Andrew Agozzino continued his torrid play by opening the scoring.  With the IceDogs on the penalty kill following a high sticking call on David Pacan, Agozzino went five-hole on goaltender Mathias Niederberger for his fourth goal in two games and 250^th career regular season point.

But Barrie would not go down without a fight.  Colts’ rookie Aaron Ekblad, who is also the OHL’s only 1996-born player, snapped a shot from the top of the far-side point and OHL scoring leader Pearson tipped the shot past Mark Visentin for his 22^nd goal of the season.

A rush by David Pacan began what would be a scoring play for the IceDogs, as he fed a pass to Mitchell Theoret, who was stationed on the edge of the crease, and deposited it into the net.  The goal was the Theoret’s third in two games, and provided Niagara with a one-goal lead heading into the first intermission.  

Ryan Strome kept the IceDogs’ offence rolling early in the second period, scoring just 1:33 into the period, picking up his own rebound off of Niederberger’s out-stretched right leg and snapping the puck top-shelf for his 15^th of the season.

The Colts slowed Niagara’s tempo, however, and a tape-to-tape pass by Mark Scheifele to Ivan Telegin cut the IceDogs’ lead to one.  The majority of the play remained in the IceDogs’ zone and Barrie was able to cash in with their second goal of the period.  Former Mississauga St. Michael’s Major Gregg Sutch slid across Visentin’s net to scoop up the rebound off an Eric Locke shot to tie the game at three. 

The third period was scoreless for both teams, but was not without its quality scoring chances.  Both Visentin and Niederberger made highlight reel worthy saves to keep the score knotted at three.  After regulation, the IceDogs were leading the Colts in shots 40-29.  Overtime would solve nothing, sending the game to a shootout.  

In the shootout, Scheifele went five-hole and what looked like a save at first slid through Visentin’s pads. Strome was the next shooter, snapping the puck into Niederberger’s pads.  Steven Beyers went next for Barrie and attempted a similar move to Scheifele’s but did not put the puck past Visentin.  Agozzino was the IceDogs’ second shooter, and snapped the puck over Niederberger’s right shoulder for Niagara’s first goal of the shootout.  The Colts’ final shooter was Sutch, who is 1-1 on shootout attempts this season. The Buffalo Sabres’ draft pick made an impressive move on Visentin in front of his net for Barrie’s second goal of the shootout.  Sutch’s goal turned out to be the game winning goal, as Alex Friesen was stoned by Niederberger.

Niagara will now head to Brampton tomorrow for a Sunday matinee against the Battalion, another team in contention for the Central Division lead. 

The IceDogs next home game is Saturday, December 10^th vs. the Kingston Frontenacs, which also marks the annual Teddy Bear Toss game.  Fans are encouraged to bring new or gently used teddy bears to the game and throw them on the ice when the IceDogs score their first goal of the game. 

Also, this Monday, December 5^th is the final vote on the new spectator facility.  Fans can show their support by attending the city council meeting, which begins at 6:30pm. Let’s Build It!

Game Summary
1. NIAG A. Agozzino, (14) , 8:59 (SH)  
1. BAR T. Pearson, (22) (A. Ekblad, I. Telegin), 11:16   
1. NIAG M. Theoret, (7) (D. Pacan, J. Graham), 16:15   
2. NIAG R. Strome, (15) (F. Hamilton), 1:33   
2. BAR I. Telegin, (9) (M. Scheifele, R. McNeill), 6:12 (SH)  
2. BAR G. Sutch, (6) (E. Locke, Z. Hall), 10:25 

Shootout
BAR Scheifele - Goal
NIA Strome - Miss
BAR Beyers - Miss
NIA Agozzino - Goal
BAR Sutch - Goal
NIA Friesen - Miss

Attendance - 3145