Ice Dogs Open Playoffs on Road

The Long Beach Ice Dogs finished seven points ahead of the Manitoba Moose and held a 6-1-0 advantage in the season series. The reward? Opening a best-of-three series at Manitoba tonight in the first round of the Turner Cup playoffs.

The Ice Dogs, the fourth-place team in the Western Conference of the International Hockey League, finished 44-31-7 and had 95 points, the final two coming in a season-ending victory at Manitoba on Saturday. The Moose finished fifth at 37-31-14 and had 88 points.

But to save on travel costs, the Ice Dogs will open the playoffs at Manitoba tonight at 5, rather than both teams traveling to Long Beach then back back to Manitoba. The second game will be at the Long Beach Arena at 7 p.m. Friday, with the third, if necessary, at Long Beach Arena at 7 p.m. Saturday.

The Ice Dogs feature the league’s top goaltender in Phoenix Coyote holdout Nikolai Khabibulin. In 33 games, Khabibulin is 21-11-1 and leads the IHL with a .930 save percentage. He is the league’s only goalie with a goals-against average below 2.00 at 1.83.

The series should also be a physical one, with the Ice Dogs leading the IHL in game misconducts with 22 and the Moose tied for the league lead in major penalties with 104.

The Ice Dogs’ leading scorer is former King Pavel Rosa, who has 22 goals and 31 assists for 53 points in 74 games.

Center Bill Bowler leads the Moose with 62 points.

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‘Dog Days

The Ice Dogs’ first-round playoff schedule against the Manitoba Moose:

Today, at Manitoba, 5:30 p.m.

Friday, at Long Beach Arena, 7 p.m.

x-Saturday, at Long Beach Arena, 7 p.m.

x--if necessary