Kirill Maksimov enjoyed a four point night while Johnny Corneil and Ben Jones each scored a pair in the IceDogs 6-3 Friday night win in Erie. With the win, Niagara has now secured home ice advantage in their first round playoff series with Oshawa.
Oliver Castleman's 11th gave the 'Dogs a lead at 2:22 of the first with Kyle Langdon and Jon Schaefer picking up assists. Erie would reply with an even strength and a power-play goal to lead 2-1 after one. Shots favoured the Otters 14-2 with Colton Incze keeping it close with clutch goaltending.
A second over a minute into the middle frame, Erie extended the lead to 3-1 before the IceDogs took over. Dan Singer scored his 26th at 1:53 from Matt Philip, followed by Ben Jones firing home a right wing shot for his 27th, 13 seconds later with Maksimov and Billy Constantinou assisting. The game winner was a second for Jones at 11:58 as Maksimov fed Schaefer at the right point and his shot was tipped home. In the second, Billy Burke's team had the edge in shots 12-9.
Playing tight in the final period it remained a one goal affair until Johnny Corneil took a Maksimov feed from the corner at 14:53. His short-handed goal turned increased to a 20 goal season as Corneil buried an empty-netter at 18:14 from Jones and Maksimov. Colton Incze got the win despite the IceDogs being outshot 33-24.
The playoffs begin on Friday March 23rd at the Meridian Centre with the Oshawa Generals in town.
610 CKTB 3 Stars of the Game...
1-Kirill Maksimov
2-Johnny Corneil
3-Ben Jones
The final game of the regular season happens Saturday on home ice with the Mississauga Steelheads in town. 610 CKTB will air the game beginning with the pre-game at 3.