The line of Steven Shipley, Ryan Strome and Freddie Hamilton led the offence for the Niagara IceDogs as they earned two important points, defeating division rival, the Mississauga St. Michael's Majors 5-3 on Friday night.

The two teams were evenly matched for most of the first period until Derek Schoenmakers opened the scoring at the 17:35 mark of the period, snapping a shot over the shoulder of Mark Visentin.  The score would remain 1-0 for the Majors heading into the intermission.

The IceDogs came out strong in the second period as Strome tied up the game just 44 seconds into the frame.  Shipley would give the IceDogs their first lead of the game six minutes later with his sixth goal of the season.  Mississauga would tie up the game once more on a goal by Sergei Kuptsov, setting the table

The Majors took the lead back in the third period on another goal from Derek Schoenmakers, but the lead would not last long as Freddie Hamilton knotted the game at three just under a minute later.  Shipley's second goal of the game put the IceDogs ahead once again and this time they did not relinquish the lead. David Pacan added an empty net goal to seal the 5-3 victory for the visiting IceDogs.

Mark Visentin made 22 saves in the win.   Broderick Kelly's assist on Shipley's first goal was his second point in as many games.

Niagara will now return home to host the Kingston Frontenacs on Saturday night, which is the IceDogs annual Teddy Bear Toss game.   Fans are encouraged to bring new or gently used stuffed animals to the game and throw them on the ice when the IceDogs score their first goal of the game.

Also on Saturday, the Mayor of St. Catharines and city councilors will be in attendance to perform the ceremonial puck drop.

The IceDogs will be missing four key players on Saturday as Visentin, Strome and the Hamilton brothers will be flying to Calgary to take part in Team Canada's National Junior Team Selection Camp. 


Game Summary
1. MISS D. Schoenmakers, (11) (R. Brace, S. Percy), 17:35
2. NIAG R. Strome, (16) (F. Hamilton, S. Shipley), 0:44
2. NIAG S. Shipley, (6) (R. Strome, B. Kelly), 6:39
2. MISS S. Kuptsov, (9) (D. DeMelo), 12:40
3. MISS D. Schoenmakers, (12) (S. Percy, R. Brace), 1:53 (PP)
3. NIAG F. Hamilton, (15) (D. Hamilton, R. Strome), 2:48
3. NIAG S. Shipley, (7) (R. Strome, F. Hamilton), 15:11
3. NIAG D. Pacan, (16) (A. Friesen, J. Graham), 19:35 (EN)