The IceDogs clinched an Eastern Conference playoff spot Friday night with a 3-2 shootout win in Guelph. Vladislav Yermolenko was the game's first star making 40 saves, at least a dozen of those of the incredible variety.
A scoreless first saw Ryerson Edgar break through in the second, scoring his 20th of the season. Noah Read followed with his 9th and second in as many nights. A late Guelph power-play tally made it a one goal affair heading into the third. Yermolenko stopped 23 of 24 through two periods.
The Storm evened the score with 7:11 left in regulation on a bad bounce marker as Yermolenko kicked out another 12.
Outshot 5-1 in overtime, a rested Guelph squad was able to take advantage of a Krys Barch team playing their second game in as many nights.
For the second straight night in the shootout, Riley Patterson opened the scoring with a 5 hole special after Yermolenko stopped the first of three Storm tries.
The win is the IceDogs 29th of the regular season and their 16th where the winning goal was recorded after the mid-way mark of the third period or later. A Central Division 4 pointer comes up Sunday afternoon as Niagara travels to North Bay, trailing the Battalion by 6 points for 5th spot in the Eastern Conference. New Country 89.1 will have all the action beginning with the pre-game at 1:45.