Ice Dogs Ousted From Playoffs

The Long Beach Ice Dogs were eliminated, 4-2, Thursday night by the Houston Aeros in the fifth and deciding game of the International Hockey League’s Western Conference semifinals.

Houston advances to the conference finals against the Chicago Wolves.

The Aeros’ Lane Lambert scored the game-winning goal at 6:26 of the third period and Mike Freer added an empty-net goal in the final minute.

Patrik Augusta and Doug Ast scored for the Ice Dogs.