The young IceDogs faced another test and skated away with a 5-3 home ice victory over Saginaw. This time, it was watching a 3-0 third period lead turn into a 3-all game, only to respond with the final two goals in the last 7 minutes.
Out-shot 12-4 in the opening period, Johnny Corneil’s third of the year made it 1-0. The Dogs also defended all three Saginaw power-plays.
In the middle period, Matt Phillip scored his fourth and Hayden Davis stepped out of the penalty box and buried a power-play breakaway to make it 3-0. All this, despite being out-shot 17-6.
The third began with 4 on 4 hockey and the Spirit scored twice in 90 seconds, to narrow the gap to 3-2. Just after the nine minute mark, a Mitchell Stephens short-handed goal tied it a 3. Oliver Castelman’s game winner came on a wrap-a-round at 13:23, before Christopher Paquette would get the insurance goal with under 4 minutes left. First star, Stephen Dhillon would again face 17 shots as the IceDogs were out-shot 46-21.
It’s a quick turnaround as Barrie comes to town Friday night. 610 CKTB has all the action, beginning with the pre-game at 6:30.