Ritchie with four points as IceDogs halt winless streak

ERIE, Pa. - Brett Ritchie had a goal and three assists on Friday as the Niagara IceDogs halted their season-high winless streak by defeating the host Erie Otters 5-1 in Ontario Hockey League play.

The IceDogs had gone eight games without a victory as their last one came back on Jan. 10th against the Owen Sound Attack. During their streak they were outscored 34-17 and fell two places in the Eastern Conference standings to sixth.

Ryan Strome scored twice for Niagara (24-23-4) while Steven Shipley had a goal and an assist.

Strome has now scored in three straight games and his 27 goals and 70 points in 39 contests is good for fourth in OHL scoring. The 19-year-old centreman is eight points behind Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds' forward Nick Cousins for the league lead, despite playing in 11 less games.

Brendan Perlini also scored for the IceDogs and Jesse Graham chipped in with two assists.

Jake Evans scored the lone goal for Erie (15-27-8), which is winless in five games and have seven total goals in those defeats.

Back-up goaltender Brent Moran stopped 26 shots for his first win since Nov. 30th. Devin Williams turned away 20-of-25 shots in a losing cause.

Both clubs went 0 for 2 on the power play.