Special to Bullet News
After being on the road for three games, the Niagara IceDogs returned home to the Jack Gatecliff Arena to pick up a 4-1 win over the visiting Belleville Bulls on Friday night.
The Niagara IceDogs got their two-game home stand off to a quick start with an early goal from Mitchell Theoret, who scored only 31 seconds into the first period.
The lead held late into the period, as both teams battled throughout the period causing pressure on both goaltenders. Belleville scored the tying goal with two minutes left to send the teams into the first intermission tied 1-1.
The Niagara IceDogs and Belleville Bulls continued to exchange chances in the second period with a fast paced match-up at both ends of the ice. Belleville used three powerplays to carry the play for much of the period, outshooting the IceDogs 12-4 in the period. Shots on goal at end of 40 minutes were 20-12 in favour of the Belleville Bulls.
The teams remained deadlocked at 1-1 in the early part of the third period. The tie was finally broken midway through the third period, as Anthony DiFruscia ripped one home to give the IceDogs a 2-1 lead. The IceDogs made it 3-1 as Ryan Strome deflected home Dougie Hamilton’s point shot. Strome then added an empty-net goal with 23 seconds remaining.
Christopher Festarini was solid in the victory stopping 22 of 23 shots in the win.
The IceDogs take on the Sudbury Wolves Saturday evening.
SCORING SUMMARY
1. NIAG M. Theoret, (10) (R. Strome, B. Ritchie), 0:31 1. BELV M. Curtis, (5) (A. Bignell), 17:56 3. NIAG A. DiFruscia, (8) (C. Verhaeghe), 6:38 3. NIAG R. Strome, (16) (D. Hamilton, S. Rover), 8:10 3. NIAG R. Strome, (17) (M. Theoret), 19:37 (EN)
