FAIRBANKS, ALASKA- Club 49 Cup play returns to the Big Dipper Ice Arena this weekend, as the Fairbanks Ice Dogs host the Kenai River Brown Bears Friday and Saturday night. The Club 49 Cup, presented by Alaska Airlines is an intrastate, in-season tournament between the Fairbanks Ice Dogs, Kenai River Brown Bears and Anchorage Wolverines. The Ice Dogs hold a 1-point lead over the Wolverines, while the Brown Bears are looking to get back into the race during the second half of the season.
The Ice Dogs are reeling a bit coming off Christmas break, having lost three straight games including a sweep at the hands of division rival Springfield over the weekend. Tyler Herzberg scored the lone Ice Dogs’ goal, a third period marker in a 5-1 loss to the Jr. Blues on Friday. First period goals from Cameron Ricotta and Sam Berry, combined with a Billy Renfrew tally in the second frame, had the Dogs up 3-2 after 40 minutes of play on Saturday. The wheels came off in the third, as the Jr. Blues struck with 5 unanswered goals to cruise to a 7-3 sweep clinching victory.
The Ice Dogs now cling to a one point lead over Springfield in the NAHL Midwest Division standings. The Jr. Blues also have played two fewer games than the Ice Dogs, and now possess a higher winning percentage than the Dogs. Anchorage sits in third place in the division, while the Minnesota Magicians currently occupy the fourth spot in the standings.
DOG BITES
- Alexander Malinowski leads the Dogs and ranks third (t) in the NAHL in scoring (40 pts.)
- Owen Neuharth ranks second (t) in NAHL with +23 rating
- Ice Dogs lead the NAHL in goals per game (4.03)
- Ice Dogs power play (25%) ranks fourth (t) in NAHL
- Ice Dogs penalty kill (87.2%) ranks fourth in NAHL
Tickets are available now for this weekend’s games at Gene’s Chrysler, Play It Again Sports, on Fort Wainwright and Eielson, as well as at the Ice Dogs office. Online tickets can be purchased through the below links.
PURCHASE 10-GAME VALUE PACK HERE
PURCHASE INDIVIDUAL GAME TICKETS HERE
