Dogs Take Opener

 The Niagara IceDogs opened the 2008/09 season with an impressive 6-3 win over the Ottawa 67's on Saturday night. The three questions surrounding this team coming into the season were, goaltending, scoring and how would the young blueliners do filling in for the guys away at camp. It is just one game but, I think all of those questions were answered last night. 

 John Cullen played a strong game and made a couple key saves late in the contest the keep the two goal advantage until Andrew Agozzino salted the victory away with an shorthanded, empty net goal. Cullen faced 35 shots in the game, 14 of which came in the third period. 

 Niagara managed to hit the mesh six times and could have easily netted a couple more if not for a few outstanding saves by Ottawa goalie Chris Perugini. Agozzino started what may be an impressive sophomore season by scoring a pair of goals while Mike Schwindt and Joe Sarracini popped in their first career OHL goals. Matt Piva also scored for Niagara. The IceDogs a a group looked very good in the offensive zone, staying poised with the puck and making good decisions. 

 The young defenceman on the team each played well for the most part, chipping in on the offense and playing a good physical game. The lone concern the coaching staff may have with the group in the amount of turnovers in their own end as well as missed opportunities to clear the puck. It didn't cause to much damage last night but it is certainly something they need to improve. It may have been a lack of experience and the speed of the OHL game that caught them off guard, hopefully after a week of practice it gets better. 

 All things considered a very good start to the new season.