Tucker Tynan backs IceDogs to shutout win in first injury return game

Tucker Tynan recorded the shutout by backing the Niagara IceDogs past the visiting Oshawa Generals 2-0 to open the OHL preseason, winning three of four possible points.

Tynan stopped 28 shots in his first OHL game since sustaining a life-threatening injury in a goal-to-mouth collision on Dec. 7, 2019.

Rodwin Dionicio, Niagara’s first pick in the 2021 Canadian Hockey League import draft with the 18th overall, scored the game’s final goal at 9:28 in the first period.

Cameron Snow, returning for a second season with the IceDogs after scoring seven goals and six assists in 57 games in 2019-2020, added a goal into an empty net in the last minute of play to complete the scoring.

Niagara dominated Oshawa 35-28, including by an 11-3 margin in the first period. Neither team scored on the power play: IceDogs, 0 to 3; General, 0-for-2.

Saturday night’s game at the Meridian Center in St. Catharines drew an announced crowd of 1,000 spectators.

Niagara allowed two unanswered goals and was outscored 2-0 in a shootout in a 4-3 loss in the opening game of a home and away game with the Generals on Friday night in Oshawa.

Draft pick Brice Cooke, 2020, second round, 33rd; with two goals, and Aidan Castle, whose rights were acquired from Oshawa earlier in the week, found the back of the net for the IceDogs.

Castle, Cooke’s teammate on GTA minor midget champion Toronto Jr. Canadiens, was selected 13th overall by Oshawa in the first round of the 2020 Draft.

Two goaltenders each played half the game for the IceDogs as the team opened its six-game exhibition schedule ahead of a traditional 68-game regular season.

rookie Joey Costanzo, 2021, second round, 23rd; allowed one goal on 15 shots in regulation and two goals in shootout. Sophomore Josh Rosenzweig stopped 12 of 14 shots.

Shots from the net were 29 each. Each team went 0-for-2 with a male advantage.

Preseason play resumes Friday with the IceDogs visiting the Guelph Storm. They shelter the Storm the following night.

As of Wednesday, full proof of vaccination will be required to attend all OHL events in the province, including games and practices. Children under 12 must be accompanied and supervised by a fully vaccinated adult.

OHL’s vaccination policy is posted on ontariohockeyleague.com/vaccinationpolicy.

The league game is set to begin on Thursday, Oct. 7, with the IceDogs visiting the Barrie Colts, who are now coached by Marty Williamson, former Brock University men’s hockey coach and former general manager and head coach of Niagara.

Oshawa will provide the opposition in the IceDogs home opener on Saturday, October 9.