In a must win game in Ottawa, the IceDogs relied on a team effort in a 5-4 nail biter victory over the 67's. Dan Singer, Johnny Corneil and Ondrej Machala all chipped in with two points apiece.
Justin MacPherson first OHL goal got the scoring underway 2:16 into the contest. A Dan Singer right wing feed was converted by the pinching defenceman. Ryan Mantha's rocket from the left point extended the lead to 2-0 at the 5:17 mark. The power-play would strike again at 14:23 as Johnny Corneil netted his 25th on a snap shot from the slot.
The middle period would be a different story; IceDogs penalty problems would get Ottawa two power-play goals before Aaron Haydon would blast home his 9th of the year from the left point.
Leading 4-2 into the third, another Ottawa man advantage goal would make it a one goal affair. Dan Singer slick back-hander in close brought the lead back to two but Ottawa would replay before the period was ten minute old. From there, Stephen Dhillon was outstanding in goal, in front of an IceDogs team that was minus two top defenders as both Willie Lochead and Aaron Haydon were lost to injury in the final twenty.
For the game, Dhillon would stop 34 Ottawa shots as the Dogs were outshot 38-24.The win, puts the IceDogs into a tie with Ottawa. A loss would have meant a four point deficit to the 67's with nine games left to play.
Next up, a return to the Meridian Centre to face Kitchener Thursday night. 610 CKTB will be there with all the action underway with the pre-game at 6:30.