Steelheads Extend The Streak in Erie!

Mississauga, ON – Dylan Smoskowitz is for real. The Richmond Hill native put two goals past Erie’s Oscar Dansk, including the game-winner with under 3 minutes to go; as well as set up Josh Burnside en route to a 3-point night and a 4-3 Steelheads victory. The win extended Mississauga’s streak to three games.

Smoskowitz impressed in his first OHL season, 2010-2011, with 21 goals and 31 points through 67games; last year however, he only managed 3 goals and 9 points in 60 games. Since being acquired by Mississauga 5 games ago Dylan has scored 7 times and added 3 assists, already topping last year’s point total.

Erie was first to strike, as Connor Crisp beat former Otter Tyson Teichmann with a backhander at 7:42 of the first. The lead wouldn't last long however, as Josh Burnside would put home his second of the season, from Smoskowitz and Riley Brace with just 30 seconds to go in the first, knotting the game going into the intermission.

A chippy second period would see the Steelheads up their shot total to 26, and jump out to a 3-1 lead. Dylan Smoskowitz would score his first of the night at 7:37 of the period, with assists going to Josh Burnside and Riley Brace. Spenser Cobbold would strike just under 6 minutes later, converting on passes from Dylan DeMelo and Andrew Goldberg.

Determined to avoid dropping their third straight, Erie would come out firing in the third. Troy Donnay started the comeback, blasting home his first of the season from Luke Cairns and Connor Crisp just over 6 minutes into the final frame. Then, on a scary play 4 minutes later, Adam Pelech would put home Connor McDavid’s pass to tie the game for the Otters. Tyson Teichmann went down following the collision, before being assisted to the bench; Tyson left with 21 saves in 50 minutes of play. Spencer Martin would enter the game, off of his Friday night victory against Ottawa. Spencer would make five saves, while Dylan Smoskowitz put home the winner to earn the W for Spencer and the Steelheads.

Josh Burnside’s opening tally and assist on Smoskowitz’s first would be enough to earn him the game’s third star. Erie’s Connor Crisp took the second star, while Dylan Smoskowitz’s 3 points would earn him his 2^nd first star in as many games. Notable mention goes to Riley Brace who added 3 assists to his team leading 14 points.

Mississauga will try to extend their winning streak when they take on the Sarnia Sting this Thursday night. They’ll follow that with two more road games, in Saginaw and Belleville, before returning home to host the Brampton Battalion on October 26^th! Great seats are available for that game at the box office and online at Ticketmaster!

For all things Steelheads, log on to www.mississaugasteelheads.com or follow the team on Twitter at @OHLSteelheads.

Stephen Tihal

stihal@mississaugasteelheads.com