FAIRBANKS – The Ice Dogs team that showed up at the Big Dipper Ice Arena on Saturday bore little resemblance to the squad from a night earlier, and the result was a 5-2 win over the Texas Tornado.
\”It was a much better performance, kind of polar opposite (from Friday\’s 6-2 loss),\” Fairbanks coach Josh Hauge said. \”We bought in as a team and played hard.\”
The Ice Dogs tallied three unanswered goals in the third period.
Aaron McGill, playing in just his second game for Fairbanks, broke a 2-2 tie 3:53 into the third period by beating Texas goalie Dan Sullivan glove-side for the game-winner.
Just 28 seconds later, defenseman Brock Carlston intercepted a pass and scored unassisted to give the Ice Dogs a little breathing room.
Jared Larsen finished the scoring with a power-play marker midway through the stanza.
\”We were in the same situation where we\’ve found ways to lose. Tonight we really came through with a strong effort in the third,\” Hauge said.
The Ice Dogs improved to 11-11-1 while Texas slipped to 8-10-2. Fairbanks will next host Kenai River on Friday and Saturday.
Mike Taffe made 26 saves to earn the win for the Ice Dogs while Sullivan stopped 30 shots in defeat.
The game featured only 30 minutes of penalties and, unlike Friday, none for fighting.
\”We really just focused on not giving up odd-man rushes and concentrated on playing sound defense,\” Hauge said. \”We tried to focus on getting two points tonight. (Fighting) is not something we were looking for.\”
James Saintey (on a tip) and Jon Schreiner (off a shot from the point) also scored for the Ice Dogs.
A large crowd showed up for Stryker Brigade Appreciation Night, including many members of the military.
\”They were loud. It was a packed house. It was as big a crowd as I\’ve seen in my years here, so it was a lot of fun,\” Hauge said.
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