Clinch postseason berth with OT loss Sunday. Photo Credit: Niagara Ice Dogs/Facebook
It became official around 4:30 pm Sunday afternoon.
The Niagara IceDogs punched their ticket to the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) playoffs, picking up a point in a 4-3 overtime loss to the Kingston Frontenacs.
That combined with Ottawa’s 5-2 loss to North Bay meant the IceDogs were into the postseason for the first time since 2019.
“We knew how important this year would be for so many reasons, to so many people,” said Head Coach Ben Boudreau.
“I’m glad we found a way to achieve it together as a group.”
Boudreau was also quick to point out owner Michelle DeDobbelaer’s almost mic-drop moment from IceDogs Fan Fest back in the summer when she said two words ahead of the 2024-25 season.
“Playoffs, period.” DeDobbelaer said.
Meantime, General Manager Wes Consorti, is looking forward to seeing postseason hockey back in Niagara.
“Being able to make the playoffs alone is an outstanding accomplishment for our group and has been long overdue for our great fanbase,” explained Consorti.
“There has been a lot of sacrifice by our players and to see them get to experience playoff hockey will be a rewarding experience for everyone.”
The IceDogs office sent out a “Playoff Tickets and Packages NOW AVAILABLE” email and social post Monday afternoon.
Niagara currently sits in seventh place in the OHL Eastern Conference standings. If the playoffs were to start today the IceDogs would play the second-seeded Barrie Colts led by former Niagara head coach and general manager Marty Williamson.
The Colts visit the IceDogs Tuesday night.
Niagara has six games left in the regular season and would like to find their groove before the playoffs begin.
The club has only one win in their last 15 games, albeit against the top major junior team in Canada, the London Knights.
The IceDogs are led by sophomore forward Ryan Roobroeck and his 38 goals and 78 points on the season. The 17-year old isn’t eligible for the National Hockey League Entry Draft until 2026.
Back in 2019 the IceDogs fell in the second round of the OHL postseason to the Oshawa Generals, and were led by three current professional hockey players including now NHL Dallas Stars forward Jason Robertson.
The other story line down the stretch for Niagara is the health of starting overage goaltender Owen Flores who hasn’t played since February 14 after suffering a knee injury.
Boudreau did offer some optimistic news Monday when contacted by The Niagara Independent, saying the Chicago, Illinois native could return to game action this week.
With backup Charlie Robertson already sidelined with a season-ending injury, the IceDogs have to rely on a pair of rookies between the pipes in 18-year Grimsby native, and current St. Catharines Falcon, Hayden Jeffery and 16-year old Matthew Humphries.
For more information on the IceDogs including those aforementioned playoff tickets, visit niagaraicedogs.net
Rod Mawhood is a lifelong Niagara native who has had the pleasure of working in all three mediums – Radio, Print and TV – for over 20 years. His first announcing gig was with the then St. Catharines Stompers. Since then he’s worked in radio and TV in Toronto, and currently is the announcer for the Niagara IceDogs and Niagara River Lions.
Rod also covers the Buffalo Bills for FOX Sports and the Buffalo Sabres for NBC Sports.
