The Greyhounds held on with everything they had to squeak out a 7-6 win over the 2nd in the East Niagara Ice Dogs

The Soo Greyhounds found themselves stumbling into Saturday night’s game as they were found pitted against the Niagara Ice Dogs. While coming into the game fresh off of the Wednesday night 4-2 loss to the Sudbury Wolves, the Hounds other most recent loss came at the hands of the Ice Dogs 6-1 back on January 31st.

The Hounds also lost considerable ground on the West division lead, as they were 6 points up on the Saginaw Spirit before the loss to the Wolves, but now only hold a two point lead. They used Saturday to try and change their recent fortune.

It took just 27 seconds for the Hounds to score the first goal of the game. After a non-call in favour of the Hounds in their own end, Frost got the puck back moving in the right direction and threw it towards the net. A lucky bounce, or maybe 3 or 4, and the puck finds its way off of Pytlick and makes it 1-0. The Howdeshell, Frost, and Pytlick line has looked great since being put together.

Cole MacKay and Keeghan Howdeshell also earned themselves a goal, and it was at this point where I felt as though there was no more reason to write on this game. Niagara was nowhere to be seen.

It took a three goal deficit for the Ice Dogs to turn it on, as they battled hard the rest of the period and managed to earn back two, and send it to the 2nd with a 3-2 score.

What helps put a stop to the resurgence of the Ice Dogs is a quick goal, as Hayton manages to rifle a blistering shot past starting netminder Dhillon, and that would be the final one past him as he would get yanked, putting an end to his night.

McGrath would play excellent, as from this point on the goalies were stealing the show with huge save after huge save, most notably the split save from Villalta. The Hounds got another tally from Howdeshell, and one more from Trott with just 7 seconds left in the period to head into the third with the sizeable 6-2 lead.

Frost would open up the third with a goal, making the game 7-2, and once again the Hounds would take their foot off the pedal. The game would find itself at 7-6, with 5 seconds left in the Hounds end. The Hounds managed to win the draw and prevent the tying of the game but the third period is one coach John Dean will definitely have the Hounds reviewing on the tape.

Giving up 4 goals in 20 minutes isn’t ideal, but the Hounds will have to quickly turn around after this one as they take on the first in the west London Knights tomorrow at 2 P.M.