The Niagara IceDogs trampled over the visiting Belleville Bulls with a score of 8-1 in front of a sold out crowd at the Gatorade Garden City Complex Saturday night. Freddie Hamilton led the Dogs with a 5 point night, while Reggie Traccitto, Alex Friesen, Andrew Shaw, and Andrew Agozzino all had multiple point nights as well.

A line that didn’t see much ice time for the IceDogs in Thursday’s game against Mississauga, opened the scoring for Niagara in the first period. To boot, Michael Hasson got the goal in what would be his first game returning after sitting out for a few weeks with a broken wrist. A new “playoff haircut” sported by Mitchell Theoret must have helped him with his mental game, as his poise with the puck allowed him to make a perfect pass right on the tape of Hasson’s stick to give the Dogs an early 1-0 lead.

The night continued to flow well for the Dogs, as Reggie Traccitto potted his 19th goal of the season ten minutes later after taking a beautiful pass from Andrew Shaw. Traccitto was honoured prior to the game, along with teammates Josh Moes and Marco Insam, as they are all playing in their last season of OHL eligibility.

The IceDogs out-shot the Bulls 18-8, and held on to their 2-0 lead after the first period of play.

Niagara’s play did not change in the second, as IceDogs assistant captain Alex Friesen scored his 22nd goal of the season at the 1:44 mark, giving the Dogs a 3-0 lead.

Andrew Agozzino followed up with his team-leading 37th goal of the season just past the halfway mark of the period to give the IceDogs a comfortable 4-0 lead after 40 minutes. Shots were 27-19 in favour of Niagara.

The IceDogs decided they would start the third period with a gorgeous tic-tac-toe play as Agozzino passed the puck to Friesen, who then gave it to Freddie Hamilton, allowing him to score his 23rd goal of the year.

Niagara was awarded a power play shortly after the goal, and capitalized once again as Reggie Traccitto picked up his second goal of the night to provide the Dogs with a commanding 6-0 lead.

It would not end there, as play was brought to 4-on-4, and Freddie Hamilton notched his second goal of the game (5th point of the night) after a tenacious hustle in front of the Bulls net by Andrew Shaw, who picked up his second assist of the game on the play – 7-0 IceDogs.

Belleville broke Visentin's shutout on a late third period power play, but Niagara came right back as Alex Friesen picked up his second tally of the night, making the score 8-1 IceDogs.

The Dogs would hold on to their 8-1 lead to end the Belleville Bulls season, and finish the night with an important win.

The IceDogs will play their final regular season game against the Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. at the Hershey Centre in Mississauga. Fans can catch the game on TVCOGECO or listen at 105.1 The River.

- Jeff Blay, Media Relations


Scoreboard:
1. NIAG Hasson, (4) (Theoret), 3:10    
1. NIAG Traccitto, (19) (Shaw, Hamilton), 13:33    
2. NIAG Friesen, (22) (Agozzino), 1:44    
2. NIAG Agozzino, (37) (Hamilton), 13:11    
3. NIAG Hamilton, (24) (Friesen, Agozzino), 1:19    
3. NIAG Traccitto, (20) (Agozzino, Hamilton), 2:49 (PP)    
3. NIAG Hamilton, (25) (Shaw), 4:00    
3. NIAG Friesen, (23) (Gronvaldt), 14:00    
3. BELV Panik, (21) , 15:00

Three Stars:
1. NIAG - Reggie Traccitto - 2G
2. NIAG - Freddie Hamilton - 2G, 3A
3. NIAG - Alex Friesen - 2G, 1A

Honourable Mention: All the boys on the IceDogs team.