GAME 3 ICE/DOGS BATTALION + OTHER SCATTERED INSIGHTS

After two close checking games between Brampton and Niagara, the teams opened it up a little bit and after spotting Brampton a 2-0 lead, the Ice Dogs roared back for a 6-3 victory and a commanding 3-0 lead in the series.  Freddie Hamilton paced the Ice Dogs with a hat-trick and a five point evening, Tom Kuhnhackl added a pair while Alex Frisen potted a short-handed marker.  Ryan Strome dished out four assists in the win, while Mark Visentin won his 5th consecutive play-off start, matching the record he set during last years play-off run.   Matt MacLeod, Philip Lane (SH) and Zach Bell responded for the Battalion.

Highlights are HERE

Game 4 goes on Thursday in Brampton with a potential game 5 back in Niagara on Saturday evening.

NOTES AND OTHER THOUGHTS

--Philip Lane levelled Alex Friesen with a pretty obvious elbow to the head in the 2nd period and got 5 minutes for head checking and a game misconduct.  Supplemental discipline on this one is possible, though one mitigating factor is that Friesen would return to the game

--The Ice Dogs have now won 7 consecutive playoff games versus the Battalion

--Up until last night, Freddie Hamilton had one goal in 12 games, factoring the latter part of the regular season. Tom Kuhnhackl was on seven game goalless drought until his two goal performance

--The support the Ice Dogs are getting on the road is reminiscent of the first year when a large contingent of vocal supporters would often match the home crowd in volume and enthusiasm

--The song written exclusively for the Ice Dogs by local musician Angela Siracusa is getting mixed reviews.   The song is certainly catchy, though hardily intimidating to opposing teams and fans.   Still, on a cross-marketing platform it is a solid promotion of the Ice Dog brand. Check the song out here

-- All other series are at 2-1.  Saginaw leading London 2-1 is likely the biggest surprise, but an undermanned Barrie team has a 2-1 lead on Ottawa after a 5-2 win last night.  Barrie is missing Stephen Beyers, Ryan O'Connor, Zach Hall and Tanner Pearson, four very key contributors yet they gutted out a 2OT win vs Ottawa to knot the series before last nights win

--Congrats to all the young men that the Ice Dogs drafted on Saturday.  The future indeed looks bright for the Ice Dogs.  Why the OHL chose to hold the draft 3 weeks earlier with eight teams immersed in the playoffs is beyond my comprehension

-- Very quietly Sherry Bassin finalized his two year extension with the Tullio Centre in Erie.  It's not exactly a long-term endorsement of the area, but it buys him time until he knows how the renovations of the arena turn out.   The Otters drafting of Connor McDavid is sure to put some backsides in the seats in Erie

--Good for Sam Carrick, who finalized his 3 year entry level deal with the Leafs last week.  Carrick, who potted 37 goals during the regular season is a leader, and unafraid to mix it up.  He's exactly the type of player the Blue and White need

--Had a chance to listen to the Kitchener Rangers radio broadcast on Sunday.  Don Cameron, who is in his mid 70's, has a voice I could listen to all day long.  He's the OHL's Vin Scully.  Mike Farwell, former TV play by play broadcaster is solid on colour commentary.  Both are very nice guys to boot!

See you at the rink
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