The Arborg Ice Dawgs showed no rust last week in their return to Capital Region Junior Hockey League action.
After a two-week break, partly due to weather-related cancellations, the Ice Dawgs picked up regulation wins in both outings against the North Winnipeg Satellites and the Lundar Falcons.
With six points earned, Arborg moved into a share of fifth place in the CRJHL with a 5-15-0-2-1 record, extending its point streak to four games.
Arborg opened the week with an 8-6 win over the Satellites on Friday night at home.
The Ice Dawgs trailed four times but surged in the third period, scoring six goals to pull away. Dylan Woytowich and Brandon Burak scored Arborg’s first two goals, leaving the Ice Dawgs within one heading into the final frame.
The teams combined for nine goals in the third period, with Burak completing a hat trick to lead all scorers. Tytan Johnson, Noah Smolinski, Dominick Collins and Brody Maxwell added the other third-period goals as Arborg secured its fourth regulation win of the season.
North Winnipeg held a 58-35 edge in shots, but Arborg goaltender Paxton Moore earned the win with 52 saves, outduelling Jordan Armstrong, who stopped 27 shots for the Satellites.
The Ice Dawgs followed up with a 5-1 victory in Lundar on Saturday, again leaning on strong goaltending.
Brycen Johannesson and Maxwell scored first-period goals to give Arborg a 2-0 lead. Maxwell added his second of the game in the middle frame, while Bradley Kemkaran also scored to make it 4-0.
Lundar got on the board midway through the third period before Burak replied quickly for Arborg to round out the scoring.
Moore finished with 42 saves in the win, while Lundar’s Dylan Leclair turned aside 37 shots despite the Falcons outshooting Arborg 43-42.
With the regulation win, Arborg matched Lundar with 20 points through 23 games.
The Ice Dawgs face a three-game schedule this week, including a home-and-home series with Beausejour and a road trip to La Broquerie.
Upcoming games:
Wednesday, Jan. 28 at Beausejour Comets, 8 p.m., Beausejour Sportsplex
Friday, Jan. 30 vs. Beausejour Comets, 8 p.m., Arborg & District Arena
Saturday, Jan. 31 at La Broquerie Habs, 7:30 p.m., HyLife Centre
