Ice Dogs’ Hopes Grow Dim With Loss

Although not out of the playoff picture, the Ice Dogs made it difficult for themselves by giving up four third-period goals in 3:12 and losing to the San Francisco Spiders, 7-2, Friday night before an announced crowd of 2,064 at the Sports Arena.

Coupled with a victory by Peoria (37-38-5), the Ice Dogs (32-34-14) fell one point out of the eighth playoff spot in the IHL’s Western Conference. Each team has two games remaining, but the Ice Dogs must play at league-leading Las Vegas (54-17-8) tonight.

San Francisco (39-31-10) was led by Alain Cote, who had two goals.

Although the Ice Dogs didn’t help their goalies much--they were outshot in the third period 19-2--goaltending was a problem from the first drop of the puck. Kay Whitmore started in goal, giving up two goals in three shots before being pulled for Dave Littman.