Mississauga IceDogs
|
|
The Mississauga IceDogs is an Ontario Hockey League team based in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. Their home arena is the Hershey Centre (seating capacity: 5,420) in north eastern Mississauga.
From 1998 to 2002, the IceDogs enjoyed little success finishing last in the OHL's central division every year. In the 2002-2003 season, the IceDogs finished 4th in the Central division and made the playoffs for the first time in franchise history, but lost in the first round in five games against the Barrie Colts.
The 2003-2004 season was their best season to date. The IceDogs finished second in the Central division, finishing two points behind the division champions St. Michael's Majors, and third overall in the Eastern Conference.
In the first round of the playoffs, the IceDogs defeated the Ottawa 67's in seven games winning their first ever playoff series. The IceDogs were down three games to two against the Barrie Colts in the second round but managed to come back and win the series in seven games. The surprise IceDogs then upset the St. Michael's Majors in the Eastern Conference Championship series in six games to earn their first ever trip to the Ontario Hockey League finals.
The dream then ended as they fell to the Guelph Storm in four straight games in the OHL final, losing the fourth game in front of a packed house at the Hershey Centre. Even though the IceDogs didn't get the chance to represent the Ontario Hockey League in the Memorial Cup tournament, their run to the finals was the most exciting hockey that IceDogs fans have ever seen since the team's first season in 1998.
2004-2005 was another record setting season for the IceDogs. They won their first ever central division title and finished first in the eastern conference with 81 points. Despite regular season success, the IceDogs were upset in the first round of the playoffs by the eight-seeded Toronto St. Michael's Majors in five games.
Players of note
Players who played in the NHL as of the 2003-04 NHL season
External link
- Mississauga IceDogs (http://www.mississaugaicedogs.com/hm/)
- Ontario Hockey League (http://www.ontariohockeyleague.com/)
- Canadian Hockey League (http://www.chl.ca/)