IceDogs battling for coveted roster spots

[Lois]

IceDogs battling for coveted roster spots

Niagara wins twice in weekend exhibition action

Posted By JIM WALLACE STANDARD STAFF

Posted 2 hours ago

<TABLE><TBODY><TR><TD style="WIDTH: 521px"></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top"></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>Matt Piva knows it's his make-it- or-break-it year.

Picked up in the off-season, the former Mississauga St. Michael's Majors player was looking for a new start and is hoping to take one of the three overage spots available with the Niagara IceDogs.

Piva is making a strong case for himself. He scored his third goal in two games Saturday night as the IceDogs closed out the home portion of their exhibition schedule with a 4-3 win over the Saginaw Spirit.

The teams met again Sunday in Woodstock, with Niagara coming out on top 3-1.

The 20-year-old Maple native dug the puck out of the corner and headed straight for the net, where he was thwarted on his first try by goaltender Joseph Lepera. He showed the experience of his fourth season in the OHL by lifting the puck over the goaltender for his fourth preseason goal overall.

"It's just that things are clicking," he said of his pre-season prowess. "I'm having fun out there.

"I'm playing with two really good players (Andrew Agozzino and Marco Insam) and it's making it easy."

"I'm having fun and when you're having fun, things normally go well."

Things went well for the 5-foot-11, 180-pounder for most of last season in Mississauga, where he had 16 goals and 35 points in 47 games before leaving the team for personal matters.

"I left with about 10 games left," he said. "Over the summer, I did a lot of thinking and decided to come back and give it a try."

He wanted to give it a try somewhere other than in Mississauga and Niagara picked him up for the league waiver fee.

<!-- Updated by Sunjoyo on July 18, 2008, as per Mantis Bug Request on July 17, 2008-->And he's giving the IceDogs exactly what they expected: a veteran who doesn't mind getting under the opposition's skin and a leader on and off the ice.

"He was a kid looking for an opportunity," head coach Mario Cicchillo said. "When he came in, we told him we were looking for a guy to replace (last year's captain) Mike Swift.

"They're big boots to fill, but he's showing a lot of leadership in the dressing room, a lot of leadership at practice and leadership on the ice during games."

Cicchillo said Piva is in a tough spot, with the team able to keep three overage players. So far, Scott Fletcher, Josh Day, Piva and Mike MacIsaac are all vying for that spot.

Cicchillo sees a bit of Swift in Piva.

"Mike Swift wasn't a big guy, so you can almost copy what Swifty did and putt a little of Matty in there. He probably has a bit more of an edge than Swifty did."

And as Swift signed with the New Jersey Devils after his overage year, Piva knows that possibility is available to him, too.

"I have this one more year, one last kick at the can," he said. "Obviously, everybody wants to go to the NHL and you have to prove yourself, so that's what I'm trying to do."

As the score indicated, it was a tight game throughout, finally decided with just over three minutes to go when, while killing a penalty, Agozzino stripped a Saginaw defender of the puck in the slot and beat Lepera with a high backhand shot after a deke.

Thomas Middup added a goal and assist for the winners and Andrew Shaw had the other.

Cody Sol, Joe Pleckaitis and Mitch Fillman were the only Spirit players to beat John Cullen on the 37 shots he faced. Sunday in Woodstock,

Freddie Hamilton scored the Ice Dogs' first goal. Jason Bergeron got the game-winner, while Mathew Sisca added the security. Mark Visentin
was solid between the pipes, kicking out 26 of 27 shots.

Dog biscuits: Barry Sanderson, a member of the IceDogs last year, was the starting centre for the Spirit in his first game back in St. Catharines.... The IceDogs are without a radio broadcast so far for the 2008-09 season.... There was a scary moment late in the game when Agozzino was hit heavily into the boards and appeared to hit his head, but he left the ice under his own power. Agozzino suffered a concussion in a fight with former teammate Chris Van- Laren in Sudbury last season and missed a number of games.

- - -

THE SCOOP

IceDogs 4 Spirit 3

assist.Andrew Agozzino.Standard Star of the Game: Niagara IceDogs for ward Thomas Middup with a goal and

For the Niagara IceDogs:Middup, Matt Piva, Andrew Shawn,

For the Saginaw Spirit:Cody Sol, Joe Pleckaitis, Mitch Fillman.

Game stats:Shots on goal: by Niagara on Joseph Lepera (10- 13-10) 33, by Saginaw on John Cullen (10-16-11) 37; Penalty minutes: Saginaw 19, by Niagara 17; Power plays: Saginaw 0-for-6, Niagara 0-for-3; Shorthanded goals: Niagara (Agozzino).

Attendance:2,423.

Up next:The IceDogs faced their final cuts today, then prepare for their Ontario Hockey League season opener Saturday at Jack Gatecliff Arena against the Ottawa 67's.


http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1199978

[B-Rad]

I think that Piva has made it for sure. He's had a solid camp and a great preseason

[DogFan]

Interesting article, especially this line;
"Cicchillo said Piva is in a tough spot, with the team able to keep three overage players. So far, Scott Fletcher, Josh Day, Piva and Mike MacIsaac are all vying for that spot."
Notice the name Bergeron isn't in there. Perhaps it was just a slip, or maybe Berg is not going to be an IceDog this season.

[hockey123]

Judging by play on the ice, Piva has no chance of being cut. He has been the Dogs best player in the preseason. If he gets cut there's some kind off problem behind the scenes. I bet he makes the team and is given a letter.
<O:p</O:p
Day is a no brainer he will make the team or be traded. Not flashy but he gets the job done. The Dogs will score far more goals with him on the ice than they allow. Should be a top 4 and have a letter.
<O:p</O:p
<O:p</O:p

I haven't seen Bergeron play yet this year so I'll reserve judgment on him. I do know they were very disappointed in his play last year. He was a big free agent signing they thought. They brought him in to play on one of the top 2 lines. Remember the lines to start the year were Legein-Foreman-Caputi, Bereron-Swift and a different guy every game. I recall an interview with Swift before the season saying it was going to be Swift, Beljo and Bergeron. Anyway, he was awful in the first few weeks. He looked very timid and was passing the puck without even looking. He did play fairly well as the year went on, but did not get much ice time. He got hammered in one of the last preseason games last year, perhaps there was some kind of injury which led to the poor start. I think they will cut at least one of him or MacIssac and I'm leaning towards Berg.
<O:p</O:p
<O:p</O:p

MacIssac was an okay role player last year once he was brought in, nothing more, nothing less. He came in with a reputation of a guy who was scrappy and could score. Assuming everyone came in with a clean slate and play in the preseason will dictate who will make the team, he's a shoe in. He's got himself in great shape over the summer and it's showing on the ice. He's been working his tail off and scoring the odd goal to boot. The kids got a great wrist shot. Mac has had a very good camp and has put himself in a position to make the team.

<O:p</O:p
<O:p</O:p
Fletch is a solid depth defensemen and of course can drop the gloves with anyone in the league. I hope for Fletch's sake he catches on with a pro team and his days as a dog are over. He really seems like a great kid. If the dogs are going to use an overage spot on Fletch, I think they have to make at least one move on D. Perhaps Day could be dealt for a quality forward. Fletch can play a regular shift on D and won't hurt the Dogs. He will provide leadership and toughness and is obviously a fan favourite. I think he'll make the team, but may have to fight for a spot in the line-up with Berg or MacIssac.
<O:p</O:p
<O:p</O:p

I think in the end they keep Day and Piva for sure and play them every game. Mac and Fletch I think both will stick around for the time being and Cheech will sub them in as he sees fit. <O:p</O:p

[dogpound]

I like the line piva,aggi and isam I hope that line stays for the regular season

[Passionforhockey]

I like the line piva,aggi and isam I hope that line stays for the regular season

id love to see that.. havent seen that in action other than on cogeco

[dogpound]

id love to see that.. havent seen that in action other than on cogeco
Ive seen it live its a nice sight gives you hopes for the team

[IceDogs5]

I like the line piva,aggi and isam I hope that line stays for the regular season

:iagree: Loving the way they've played so far. At this point, Piva looks like a great pickup by the Dogs...plays with some grit which is always a bonus.