Wycisk Sends IceDogs Into 2024 With An Overtime Win
NIAGARA, ON – The Niagara IceDogs win a emotional and thrilling game in overtime in front of 4,624 fans at the Meridian Centre. Daniil Sobolev recored three points and Kevin He and Ethan Czata both scored twice. Andrew Wycisk netted the game winning goal in overtime to hold of the Storm.
Final Score: NIA 6 – GUE 5 (OT)
Starting Goaltenders: Damian Slavik (Guelph) – Owen Flores (Niagara)
The IceDogs would pour in a string effort in the opening frame as they led 2-0 heading into the second period. Ethan Czata would score the first of the game as Brody Crane found Czata streaking to the net putting it right on his tape as Czata redirected it home for the opening goal. Kevin He would add to the IceDogs lead minutes later as he drove wide on the Storm defenceman and tucked it around Damian Slavik to put the IceDogs ahead two. This would be Kevin He’s team leading 18th goal of the season. Owen Flores was also impressive in the period making a behind the back goaline save to maintain the two goal lead.
Guelph would come out storming in the middle frame scoring two goals in under seven minutes to knot the game up at two. Gavin Grundner and Jett Luchanko were the Storm goal scorers, scoring their fourth and eleventh of the season respectively. The storm would keep the goals coming as Washington Capitals prospect, Jake Karabela, tipped home the point shot on the powerplay to give them the lead. The Storm were looking for more and Braeden Bowman would deliver with 00.1 seconds left in the period to make it a 4-2 game and make it four unanswered goals in the period for Guelph.
Trailing by two the IceDogs would need an early spark in third to re-gain some momentum. Daniil Sobolev would provide just that after receiving a pass from Mike Levin and going top shelf with the backhand to make it a one goal game. The IceDogs would keep applying pressure and would eventually be rewarded. Ethan Czata scored his second of the game, punching home the rebound off of a Daniil Sobolev point shot, tying the game at four. Les than two minutes later Kevin He would fire the IceDogs into the lead as he found the loose puck in the slot and beat Slavik for his second of the game. The Storm would be awarded a late powerplay and would capatilzie to send it to overtime, scoring with 1:55 left on the clock.
Andrew Wycisk would send IceDogs fans into the new year with the overtime winner after Ryan Roobroeck drove to the net with Wycisk cleaning up the rebound for the win.
First Period Scoring Summary:
1-0 (Niagara Goal): Ethan Czata (3), Assists: Brody Crane (5), Mike Levin (11)
2-0 (Niagara Goal): Kevin He (18), Assist: Daniil Sobolev (8)
Shots: NIA 10 – GUE 9
Second Period Scoring Summary:
2-1 (Guelph Goal): Gavin Grundner (4), Assists: Hunter McKenzie (3), Parker Snelgrove (4)
2-2 (Guelph Goal) Jett Luchanko (11), Assists: Braeden Bowman (19), Wil McFadden (4)
3-2 (Guelph Goal): Jake Karabela (14), Assists: Michael Buchinger (24), Braeden Bowman (20) PPG
4-2 (Guelph Goal): Braeden Bowman (19), Assist: Vilmer Alriksson (15)
Shots: GUE 24 – NIA 13
Third Period Scoring Summary:
4-3 (Niagara Goal): Daniil Sobolev (2), Assists: Mike Levin (12), Andrew Vermeulen (2)
4-4 (Niagara Goal): Ethan Czata (4), Assist: Daniil Sobolev (9)
5-4 (Niagara Goal): Kevin He (19), Assist: Ryan Roobroeck (10), Ryan Vannetten (4)
5-5 (Guelph Goal): Max Namestnikov (19), Ryan McGuire (6), Jett Luchanko (29)
Shots: GUE 33 – NIA 32
Overtime Scoring Summary:
6-5 (Niagara Goal): Andrew Wycisk (5), Assist: Ryan Roobroeck (11)
Shots: GUE 33 – NIA 33
Three Stars of The Game:
- Ethan Czata (2 goals)
- Daniil Sobolev (1 goal, 2 assists)
- Kevin He (2 goals)
Full Game Box Score Here!
