The IceDogs captured five out of a possible six point in less than 72 hours after falling 4-3 in a Sunday shoot-out in North Bay. Despite playing their third game in as many days, facing a rested Battalion squad who had last night off, Billy Burke’s squad battled for 65 minutes.
Sam Miletic opened the scoring with his 24th of the year at 9:50 of the first. His bank shot from behind the net off the North Bay goaltender netted assists for Akil Thomas and Stephen Dhillon. It was Dhillon who stopped all 13 first period attempts.
After the home side tied it in the second, the power-play struck for a second time with Kirill Maksimov burying his 27th on a great between the legs pass by Dan Singer with Ben Jones picking up the second helper. The shots count favoured the IceDogs 20-8.
In the final period of regulation, the IceDogs began with a 5 on 3 advantage and were not only unable to capitalize but surrendered a short-handed goal to the first man out of the box. Thirty seconds later, a second even strength marker gave the Battalion their only lead. The “Never Quit” IceDogs pressed on and tied the game at three on a super three way passing play from Maksimov to Miletic to Jones who slipped in his 18th, five hole, at 10:11. The ‘Dogs battled the rest of the way and had several chances denied to end it in 60 minutes.
The overtime was more of the same as Niagara recorded all four shots on goal. In the shoot-out, after the third North Bay shooter beat Dhillon, Kirill Maksimov tied it with a goal of his own. Three more shooters were stopped before the 8th shot gave the Battalion the victory.
With the point, the IceDogs now enjoy a two point lead over Barrie for first in the Central. Both teams now have 21 games to play.
610 CKTB 3 Stars of the Game…
1-Christian Propp (Barrie)
2-Kirill Maksimov
3-Ben Jones
Next weekend will be spent in the east of Ontario with a Friday game in Ottawa and a Saturday test in Kingston. 610 CKTB will have it covered with the pre-game both nights at 6:30.