"Tough Days" Continue For Niagara As Losing Streak Hits Nine

The Niagara IceDogs' losing streak hit nine games last night due to a 6-2 loss to the Ottawa 67's. 

"We've gotta play harder," said Winnipeg Jets' prospect Kevin He. "We've got to stick to the systems and buy in ... it's got to be a whole team effort."

Niagara came into the game struggling with injuries between the pipes. Starter Owen Flores and backup Charlie Robertson missed the game resulting in 2008-born Matthew Humphries getting the call-up. 

In seven OHL games this season, the Newmarket native has yet to record his first OHL victory. In those games, he's maintained a 5.71 goals-against average and a .826 save percentage. 

Ottawa took advantage of the young goaltender early scoring three goals on just four shots. While Niagara managed to push back at the end of the period they never managed to overcome the early deficit.

"I thought we needed more energy," said He. "From guys buying into the system to finishing hits, just those small details that matter. I thought we weren't there today."

The loss continues what has been a very difficult start to 2025 for Niagara. Since the end of December, Niagara has a 5-12-2-3 record and just one win in their last 10 games. 

From sitting second in the Eastern Conference going into the break they've slid down to fifth sitting 13 points behind the fourth-place Kingston Frontenacs. 

Even worse, they are now tied for fifth with the Brampton Steelheads who have come up with big wins against some of the top teams in the East in the last few weeks.

"It's tough days," said He. "We gotta figure it out. We've got Kingston tomorrow - it will be a quick turnaround for us. We've gotta get right back into it."

Niagara is a very young team with 41 percent of their roster being 2007 and 2008-born players. While young teams can be dynamic and very offensively gifted, they can also struggle when they hit adversity. 

"We've got a lot of young guys, but the onus is on us, the older players, to show them how it's done," said He. "Going through these hard times we've got to stick up for each other."

One of the issues Niagara is facing is that their offense seems to have stagnated. Before the break, they scored four or more goals in 19 of 32 games. 

Meanwhile, in the second half, they have scored four or more goals in just 6 of 23 games. 

Despite its struggles, the team is very likely to make the playoffs. If the IceDogs win six of their remaining 13 games, North Bay would need to win 13 of their 14 remaining games to get ahead in points. 

Healthy goalies and a couple wins could do a lot to help Niagara right their sinking ship. The team has more than enough talent to go .500 for the end of the season if they can find their groove again. 

Unfortunately for the IceDogs, a lot of damage has already been done. They have fallen too far behind the top four teams in the Conference and are unlikely to be able to catch them. 

At this point, the team is battling to stay in fifth and regain some of the mojo it had in the first half of the year.