IceDogs Defeat Spitfires in Shootout

Pavel Demin scored the shootout winner and Stephen Dhillon made 40 saves as the Niagara IceDogs defeated the Windsor Spitfires 4-3 at the Merridian Centre in St. Catharines Saturday night.

Akil Thomas, Christopher Paquette and Johnny Corneil also scored for the IceDogs (10-16-4-3) who snapped an eight-game losing streak while winning for the first time in four shootout decisions this season.

Cristiano DiGiacinto paced with the Spitfires (21-6-4-1) offensively with a goal and two assists while Aaron Luchuk and Mikhail Sergachev had the other goals.

Mario Culina made 26 saves while taking the extra time loss in goal for Windsor.

Special teams went a long way in determining the outcome of the game as the Spitfires’ league-leading powerplay went an amazing 0-11 while Niagara cashed in on one of their seven opportunities while playing with the man advantage.

The Spitfires currently sit 2nd in the West Division with 47 points just one point behind the Soo Greyhounds, they are 4th in the Western Conference just three points behind the Erie Otters.

The Spitfires are now off on an 11-day Christmas break and return to action December 28 in Saginaw for a game against the Spirit.