FAIRBANKS — The Fairbanks Ice Dogs had a 4-0 run through last year’s North American Hockey League Showcase in Blaine, Minnesota.
That won’t be the case this year, as the reigning Robertson Cup champions suffered their second loss of the four-day tournament, falling 5-2 Friday night to the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees, of Texas.
Robin Karlsson and Ethan Somoza scored on power-play goals and goaltender Patrick Munson registered 23 saves for the Ice Dogs, 2-3 overall, including 1-2 in the Schwan’s Super Rink in Blaine.
The Ice Dogs can finished with a .500 mark in Blaine if they win against the Austin Bruins in today’s tournament finale at 4:15 p.m. ADT. The Ice Dogs defeated the Bruins, of Minnesota, for the Robertson Cup last May at the Big Dipper Ice Arena.
On Friday, Karlsson’s power play goal was the only score of the first period. He was assisted by Hans Gorowsky and Cayden Cahill at 1:44 into the period.
Somozo’s extra-skater goal came with help from Jacob Hetz and Karlsson at 17:21 of the third after Rio Grande Valley had rallied for 4-1 lead.
The Ice Dogs have had two power play goals in each game of the tournament and are 6 for 17 in Blaine.
Dan Kucerovy led the Killer Bees with two goals and Nick Schmit recorded 22 saves.
Contact sports editor Danny Martin at 459-7586. Follow him on Twitter: @newsminersports.
