Ice dogs

Record--41-28-7, 89 points (tied with Utah for second in Western Conference).

This week’s schedule--Host Kansas City Wednesday; host Houston Friday and Saturday.

Last week’s results--Defeated Manitoba, 2-1, Wednesday; defeated Manitoba, 3-0, Friday; defeated Milwaukee, 4-1, Saturday.

The Ice Dogs struggled around .500 most of the season, but are 19-6-1 since Feb. 1. There’s no secret to their newfound success: goalie Nikolai Khabibulin. When the Phoenix Coyotes, who own his rights, didn’t trade him before the March 14 NHL trade deadline, the Ice Dogs’ title chances improved. Khabibulin is 19-8-1 since joining the team. He leads the IHL in goals-against average (1.65) and save percentage (.937).