Otters Sink IceDogs

The Niagara IceDogs got 29 saves from Petteri Simila and two points from Andrew Agozzino, but lost a nail-biter to the Erie Otters Friday night, who scored all three of their goals in the second period on their way to a 3-2 win. 

Freddie Hamilton was able to light the lamp early, when he took a bounce off the stick of Andrew Agozzino and made no mistake from point-blank range, as the IceDogs were able to jump out to an early 1-0 lead. 

Simila was given the assignment with the IceDogs playing on back to back nights, and turned aside all 11 first period Erie shots, giving Niagara a 1-0 lead after one. 

Erie was able to draw even 1:50 into the second period when David Broll stuffed home a puck that looked to be frozen under Simila, but stood up as a power play marker making it 1-1. 

The Otters took their first lead of the game on a pretty Matt Patton goal where he roofed it on Simila making it 2-1 at the 5:25 mark. 

Erie extended their lead to two when Andrew Yogan found Zack Torquato in the slot who put it home, as Erie notched their second power play marker of the game and handed the IceDogs a 3-1 hole to dig out of entering the final frame.

The IceDogs best chance to mount a comeback came when they were awarded a two-man advantage mid-way through the third, where they were unable to hit the net with any quality shots making their power play 0 for 6 on the night. 

Niagara was able to cut the lead to 3-2 After Sadikov juggled a shot allowing Agozzino to pounce on the rebound for his ninth of the season at the 13:38 mark. 

With Simila on the bench, the IceDogs did all they could to draw even and were unable to beat Sadikov making it a 3-2 final.

The IceDogs will head to Brampton for an afternoon affair against the Battalion Sunday at 2:00 p.m.  Niagara's next home game takes place next Thursday when they welcome the Barrie Colts to town for a 7:30 p.m puck-drop.  Fans are encouraged to dress up in their Halloween costumes with prizes being awarded, with the first 100 kids through the door receiving a gift bag from the Bulk Barn. 

Notes: Shots 32-29 in favour of Erie...Johnson Andrews returned from his two-game suspension...The IceDogs fall to 1-3-1-1 on the road...Erie posted back-to-back wins for the first time this season...Three Stars: 1 David Broll  2 Michael Liambas 3 Ramis Sadikov.

 Scoring
1. NIAG Hamilton, (6) (Agozzino, Shaw), 3:44   
2. ER Broll, (4) (McKegg, Hostetter), 1:50 (PP) 
2. ER Paton, (2) (Liambas, Cazzola), 5:25   
2. ER Torquato, (4) (Yogan, Gaulton), 15:16 (PP) 
3. NIAG Agozzino, (9) (Moes), 13:38   

-Brett Vancise