Majors Topple Niagara In Overtime

Written By: Sean Kelly – OIH Correspondent

With both teams winning at home first two games at home, the Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors looked to continue the trend in game three at the Hershey Center Saturday night.

Niagara opened the scoring when Alex Friesen went top corner from the slot 6:46 in the first period.  Freddie Hamilton scored his fourth of the post-season 13 minutes into the second to put Niagara up by two.

Maxim Kitsyn scored on the power play bringing Mississauga within one to finish off the scoring in the second period.

The Majors, who have yet to lose at home these entire playoffs, trailed for most of the third period.  Continuing to pressure the IceDogs, the Majors were finally rewarded. 

With 5:59 left in regulation time Majors forward Rob Flick scored to send the Ontario Hockey League’s number one ranked team into overtime with the IceDogs.

After Majors captain Casey Cizikis was stopped by Mark Visentin, Justin Shugg completed the comeback, potting the rebound 4:13 into the extra frame. 

“It (the puck) went off his pad, my eyes lit up and Christmas came early.”  Said Shugg.

Visentin stopped 42 of 45 shots in the game.

Head Coach Marty Williamson and the Ice Dogs will look to avoid falling 3-1 in the series when Mississauga travels to St. Catherine’s for game four. 

“If you want to win a series they’re all big games,” said Williamson.  “We need to get to 2-2 and shorten up the series to make it two out of three and be good at home.”

Game four is slated for Monday, April 26 at the Gatorade Garden City Complex in St. Catharines, ON.