Even with a significantly lighter crowd than Friday and Saturday, the Dogs refused to go out without a fight.
After going up by two early, the Dogs gave up seven unanswered goals resulting in a 7-2 loss to the Minnesota Magicians Saturday night.
Once the Magicians got the lead, they never let it go as the Ice Dogs started their 2021 NAHL playoff journey with a 6-3 loss at home to fall behind 0-1 in the best-of-five series.
Ice Dogs General Manager Rob Proffitt says that social distancing requirements will remain in affect, those who are unvaccinated are asked to wear masks, and fans who are feeling sick are asked to stay homes.
The Ice Dogs are back in the postseason for the 24th consecutive year, but with last year’s postseason being canceled due to a global pandemic, we haven’t had playoff hockey in the interior or anywhere else in two seasons.
Tickets for both games go on sale today at 10 a.m. and the office will remain open until 7 p.m. tonight.
Fairbanks ends the regular season with a record of 25-19-2-2, 54 points, second place in the Midwest Division, and at least a pair of home games to start the NAHL playoffs.
Laker Aldridge scored a goal 8:57 into the game and that was all the Dogs needed to take a 1-0 win over the Kenai River Brown Bears, officially win the Alaskan Airlines Cup, and put themselves in position to clinch home ice advantage.
The Dogs enter this weekend’s contest at 23-19-2-2 with 50 points on the season.
The Dogs are now 23-19-2-2 on the season with 50 points, and more critically moved ahead of the Minnesota Magicians for second place in the Midwest Division.
