Steelheads Score Early and Hold Off Late...

Mississauga, ON - After defeating the Brampton Battalion on Monday the Steelheads were back at home on Friday to take on the Ottawa 67s. Spencer Martin would get his second straight start in net for the Steelheads while Mississauga born Keegan Wilson would get the call for the 67’s.

The Steelheads would strike early in the first, just 2:32 in, with Riley Brace setting up Dylan Smoskowitz in front of the net. Smoskowitz would extend his goal-scoring streak to 4 with his 4^th goal in as many games.

Just 3 minutes and 28 seconds later Smoskowitz would pot his second of the night to extend the lead to 2-0. Alex Cord and Riley Brace would draw assists on the play. Since being acquired, Smoskowitz has played in 4 games with the Steelheads and recorded 7 points. 

The two early goals would prompt 67’s Head Coach Chris Byrne to call a timeout to try and rally his troops. The timeout didn’t have the desired affects as the Steelheads continued to dominate the play. 

At 14:07 Trevor Carrick unleashed a low wrist shot from the point that found its way past Wilson to extend the lead to 3-0. Scott Teskey and Kristoff Kontos were awarded assists on Carrick’s first of the season.

The shots after the first period were 17-8 in favor of the home team.

In the second period the 67’s started applying some pressure, but Spencer Martin was up to the task making some spectacular saves on the 67’s shooters.

At 6:58 of the second Kristoff Kontos took a slashing penalty while killing a bench minor resulting in a 55 second 5 on 3 Power Play.  On the 5 on 3 Spencer Martin managed to stymie Tyler Graovac and Sean Monahan who each had what seemed like easy tap in goals.

The Steelheads managed to kill off the 5 on 3 but not the Kontos penalty. Remy Giftopoulos scored his 5^th of the season off a wrap around at 8:42 of the second. Brett Gustavsen and Matthieu Desautels were awarded the assists. 

Spencer Martin faced a lot of shots in the second and performed well stopping 15 of the 16 shots he faced, at the other end of the ice Wilson turned aside all 10 Steelheads shots he faced.

In the third period the 67’s struck first. Brett Gustavsen sprung a streaking Tyler Graovac. Graovac came down the left wing and fired a wrist shot from the top of the circle that eluded Spencer Martin, pulling the 67’s within one goal. On the play Gustavsen picked up his second assist of the night, and Taylor Davies his first.

The Steelheads would hold off a late barrage from the 67’s to clinch a 3-2 decision and a second straight win.  For his two assists Riley Brace was awarded second star of the game, while Dylan Smoskowitz two-goal effort was deservedly rewarded with first star honors.

The final shot tally was 39 – 29 in favor of the Mississauga Steelheads.

The Steelheads will play again tomorrow in Erie as they take on the Otters and begin a 4 game road trip; the puck will drop at 7pm. The Steelheads will be back at home on Friday October 26^th to take on the Brampton Battalion in the BMO Ultimate Fan Game. Great seats are still available online through Ticketmaster!

Justin Dahan