IceDogs downed by Spitfires - The Standard

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IceDogs downed by Spitfires



Posted By ROD MAWHOOD Special to The Standard

Posted 4 hours ago



Mark Visentin was looking forward to the challenge. And in the end he lived up to his ever growing reputation as one of the best young goaltenders in the entire country.
After making 19 saves in the Canadian Hockey League's top prospects game last month, and finishing the contest as the only goaltender to not allow a single goal, the 17-year-old Waterdown native was set to face two of the top junior teams in Canada within a three-day span.
Last Thursday, Visentin was named second star, making 28 stops as the IceDogs beat the nation's seventh-ranked team, the London Knights, 2-1.
Just 48 hours later, Visentin was again named second star, this time making 42 saves, as the IceDogs dropped a 5-2 decision the No. 3-ranked Windsor Spitfires.
"It gave me a chance to show what I can do out there," said Visentin who made 70 saves in the two games, compiling a 3.00 goals against average, and stellar .921 save percentage. "No matter what the scores were I thought it was a good weekend to challenge myself mentally, and if we got down try (my) best to battle back. Last year, I think that was one of my weak parts to my game."
Visentin's mental toughness was put to the test early on Saturday night.
Windsor scored on its first two shots of the game and led 2-0 just 21 seconds into the contest as the youthful IceDogs made a pair mental mistakes that ended up in the back of the net behind Visentin.
However, the second-year Niagara goaltender made 17 stops the rest of the period as the Spitfires enjoyed a 19-6 shot advantage after 20 minutes and 47-21 overall for the game.
"Obviously we had a couple of bounces that didn't go our way," Visentin said. "I think I should have come out stronger, personally. They're (Spitfires) a very skilled team. I thought we battled back, and never gave up. But the Windsor power play is so good and obviously it showed tonight."
The Spitfires would in fact enjoy five separate power plays before they were finally called for an infraction. Leading 2-1 midway through the second period, Niagara Falls native Justin Shugg scored what turned out to be the game winner on a 5-on-3 power play.
Andrew Agozzino continued to impress, notching both Niagara goals to give him a team-high 28 on the season. The OHL All-Star and IceDogs captain has four goals and four assists in his last 10 games and was happy to see his team pick up two of a possible four points against a pair of very tough opponents.
"Definitely," Agozzino said. "I thought we played well in spurts tonight (Saturday). We had a great effort on Thursday.
"To get two points this weekend is definitely a big boost."
Head coach Mike McCourt echoed Agozzino's comments.
"We played the two top teams in the West, and two of the top teams in Canada," McCourt said. "It was a good measuring stick. Teams like this you want to play down the stretch because they're going to make you better.
"We have 15 games left and I think it was good for our guys to battle and compete against the best this weekend."
Every team the IceDogs are chasing in the Eastern Conference standings lost as well on Saturday night, including the Oshawa Generals who visit Jthe Gatorade Garden City Arena Complex this Thursday. Game time is 7:30 p.m.

Notes: Michael Hasson (wrist) and Dougie Hamilton (upperbody) were the IceDogs scratches.... The Spitfires feature 11 NHL draft picks and that does not include Taylor Hall who will likely go first overall in this June's draft. Hall had one assist and was a plus-3 on Saturday night, but did take a strong open-ice hit from Alex Friesen midway through the third period that brought many to their feet.... Saturday's game was the third straight sellout for the IceDogs.