Josh Ho-Sang scores a hat trick

Josh Ho-Sang turned in a lights-out performance for the Niagara IceDogs Sunday afternoon.

The talented, dynamic forward collected a goal and two assists in a span of just over seven minutes in the first period, and five points overall, to lead the IceDogs past the Barrie Colts 7-4 in an Ontario Hockey League game played before 4,185 fans at the Meridian Centre.

Ho-Sang’s outburst followed a 24-minute delay less than two minutes into the game when the lights inexplicably went out in the arena.

That sent the teams to the dressing room for a spell, and when they returned Ho-Sang went to work quickly, helping the IceDogs erase a 1-0 deficit with four goals before the period was 11 minutes old.

He added his second of the period later as Niagara took a 5-1 lead after 20 minutes.

“I think it (delay) gave the guys a fresh start to the game,” Ho-Sang said. “Obviously, if we stayed out there it could have been a completely different game. Great teams bounce back, but it was good to get that break.”

Ho-Sang has been working lately on a line with Jordan Maletta and Billy Jenkins. The trio clicked for 10 points Sunday, with Maletta adding three assists and Jenkins a goal and an assist.

“A lot of talk,” Ho-Sang said when asked why the unit is performing so well.

“Maletta is a leader, he’s been in the league for awhile and he talks to me a lot. Jenkins is also a leader and the biggest thing on our line is not being satisfied. We talk to each other a lot about that.

“One or two (points) isn’t good enough. We want a complete game. As much as our line played well today, we were pretty upset about being on for that first goal.”

Niagara coach/general manager Marty Williamson appreciates that Ho-Sang is attempting to become a more well rounded player.

“His offence is always there for me, but if we can get him to buy in on everything else it just rounds him out,” Williamson said.

“When he plays good defence, it’s amazing the good things that happen for him. When he cheats a little bit, you don’t do as much. I thought he was really involved and played great at both ends.”

Williamson likes the balance Ho-Sang gives to the team when he plays with Maletta and Jenkins.

via IceDogs gallop past Colts | St. Catharines Standard.