Pearson’s Goal Gives Ice Dogs a 5-4 Victory

The Long Beach Ice Dogs defeated the Grand Rapids Griffins, 5-4, Friday night in an International Hockey League in front of 2,693 at the Long Beach Arena.

Rob Pearson scored the decisive goal at 11:56 of the third period, with Zarley Zalapski and Wes Walz assisting.

Grand Rapids led 2-1 in the second period before Nils Ekman scored to tie the score at 2-2. Walz assisted on this goal as well for his first point as an Ice Dog.

Len Barrie’s goal, his second of the night, gave the Ice Dogs their first lead, 3-2, at 13:13 of the second period.

After two goals by Grand Rapids, Shane Kenny’s first goal of the season, at 3:13 of the third, made it 4-4.

Long Beach outshot the Griffins, 33-19, and had a 15-6 edge in the first period.

The Ice Dogs’ Pavel Rosa got an assist on Barrie’s second goal to extend his scoring streak to six games.

The Ice Dogs play host to the Griffins again tonight at 7.