Yahoo Sports Niagara's Red-Hot Power Play Steals the Show in Ottawa
The Niagara IceDogs opened their season with a 3-2 road win against the 67's last night.
The game started as a tight battle between the two Eastern Conference teams. At the end of the first, the score was tied at zero. However, Ottawa outshot Niagara 16-8 during the period.
Early in the second, Ottawa's captain Luca Pinelli got the 67's on the board tucking a great feed from Cooper Foster underneath IceDogs goaltender Owen Flores who ended the night with 48 saves.
It seems fitting that Pinelli scored Ottawa's first goal of the season. The Columbus Blue Jackets prospect led the team in goals with 48 last year.
From this point onwards Niagara took over scoring three unanswered goals on the power play. Kevin He scored the first goal for Niagara, banging home his own rebound at the side of the net. He ended the night with a goal and an assist.
Mike Levin was credited with the second goal after sniping a wrist shot over Collin Mackenzie's blocker.
The eventual game-winning goal came with 18 seconds remaining in the second period. Kevin He lofted a puck that bounced around in front before Andrei Loshko batted it home.
Chris Barlas rallied the 67's with a goal in the third off of a turnover in the IceDogs' zone. Ottawa peppered Flores with shots but he held them off allowing the IceDogs to take the victory.
IceDogs Feast on the Power Play
Niagara fans will be pleased with their team's play in odd-man situations. While Ottawa outscored the IceDogs at even strength, Niagara blew Ottawa out of the water when it came to special teams.
The IceDogs went 3/4 on the power play operating at a 75-percent success rate. Ottawa meanwhile went 0/4 on the power play.
Kevin He did a lot of work for the IceDogs on their power play. He controlled pucks down low and took them to the net to create scoring opportunities. The Winnipeg Jets fourth-round pick scored 31 goals and added 22 helpers last season.
This sort of efficiency on the power play is unlikely to continue, however, it is always comforting for a team to know that their power play is clicking early in the season.
The Kids are Alright
Although they did not appear on the scoresheet, Niagara's young stars played well.
Ryan Roobroeck showed all of the offensive dynamism that made him a standout player for Niagara last year. It just wasn't his night. Collin Mackenzie shut the door on Roobroeck's first two breakaway attempts before he dropped the puck as he streaked towards the net on his third attempt.
While the misses may disappoint fans, his ability to find space and create offense bodes well for the team. Roobroeck is eligible for the 2026 NHL Draft.
Braidy Wassilyn, the fourth-overall pick in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection, also had a breakaway in the game. The attempt resulted in a shot that pinged off the outside of the post.
It was a special night for Max Crete, Niagara's second-round pick in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection. Crete, an Ottawa native played his first OHL game in his hometown with friends and family in attendance.
"It felt great," said Crete. " It's a surreal feeling playing your first game in your hometown with all your family and friends watching. It was pretty cool."
Crete had his grandparents, siblings and friends all in attendance for last night's contest. He acquitted himself well controlling the puck and supporting his teammates on the ice.
After the game he had some time to catch up with his friends and family before jumping on the bus back to Niagara.
"It was pretty cool," said Crete. "I got a bunch of pictures with them and they were all congratulating me."
Crete led the HEO U-16 league in points last season and also had the opportunity to play for the Navan Grads in the CCHL playoffs and at the Centennial Cup.
His older brother Gabriel played for Navan last season. He actually assisted on Max's first goal at the Junior level.
After the game in Ottawa, Max said his brother told him he was playing well and reminded him to keep his head up while playing with confidence.
Crete and the Niagara IceDogs have their next game tomorrow night when they travel to Kingston to face the Frontenacs.
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