The Arborg Ice Dawgs will look to carry their late-season momentum into the post-season as they prepare to face the La Broquerie Habs in the opening round of the Capital Region Junior Hockey League playoffs.
The best-of-five series begins Monday, Feb. 23 in La Broquerie, with the Habs holding home-ice advantage after finishing fourth in the regular season standings with a 16-11-0-1-2 record for 52 points. Arborg secured the fifth and final playoff spot, rallying down the stretch to finish 7-18-0-2-3 for 28 points.
La Broquerie will host Games 1, 3 and, if necessary, Game 5, while the Ice Dawgs will welcome the Habs to the Arborg & District Arena for Game 2 and a potential Game 4.
The two clubs met five times during the regular season, with the Habs winning all five matchups.
Arborg heads into the series following a 7-3 loss to the Selkirk Fishermen last Friday in Selkirk. Hunter Loewen, Brandon Burak and Dainen Jacobson scored over the opening two periods, helping the Ice Dawgs to a 3-3 tie heading into the third. Selkirk responded with four unanswered goals in the final frame to secure the win.
The Ice Dawgs held a 35-34 edge in shots. Paxton Moore made 27 saves in the loss, while Selkirk netminder Johnny Enns-Demchuk turned aside 32 shots.
Despite entering the series as the underdog, Arborg will aim to build off its improved play in the second half and challenge a Habs squad that had its number during the regular season.
Series Schedule:
Game One: Monday, Feb. 23, 8 p.m. at La Broquerie
Game Two: Thursday, Feb. 26, 8 p.m. at Arborg
Game Three: Saturday, Feb. 28, 7:30 p.m. at La Broquerie
* Game Four: Monday, March 2, 8 p.m. at Arborg
* Game Five: Wednesday, March 4, 8 p.m. at La Broquerie
* If necessary
