The Arborg Ice Dawgs hosted Laura Fridfinnson at the Arborg & District Arena on Friday for a ceremonial puck drop before their game against the La Broquerie Habs. Fridfinnson, a native of Arborg, began her hockey career playing on boys’ teams with the Arborg Minor Hockey Club in the late 1990s.
She later captained Team Manitoba’s U18 women’s team at the 2025 U18 National Championships, where she was named Tournament MVP. Fridfinnson also represented Team Canada at both the U22 and Senior Women’s National Team levels. Additionally, she had an impressive college hockey career with the University of Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs, scoring 75 goals and 81 assists over four seasons and helping lead the Bulldogs to two national championships.
“Arborg is grateful that Laura has moved back and is now a teacher in the region. She serves as inspiration to many girls playing hockey in our community and is someone they can look up to,” said Ice Dawgs general manager Lloyd Barylski during his speech at the arena on Friday night. “It’s because of women like Laura that Arborg Minor Hockey is seeing record numbers of girls participating in the sport.”
With Fridfinnson in attendance, the Ice Dawgs delivered an exciting performance, pulling off a 3-2 victory. The Ice Dawgs didn’t score until the second period, when Ben Danielson and Brody Barylski found the back of the net. With the game tied 2-2 midway through the third period, Dainen Jacobson scored on the power play, putting the Ice Dawgs ahead.
Goaltender Nathan Meisner made several key saves down the stretch, finishing the night with 43 saves, as the Ice Dawgs secured three points with the win.
However, on Sunday, the Ice Dawgs faced a setback, falling 5-2 to the Comets in Beausejour.
Michael Crave and Skylar Farrington scored for Arborg, and Paxton Moore made 54 saves in a losing effort.
As a result, the Ice Dawgs’ record stands at 7-19-0-1-0, keeping them in sixth place in the Capital Region Junior Hockey League.
Upcoming Games:
- Wednesday, Jan. 29 vs. La Broquerie Habs, 8 p.m. at Arborg & District Arena
- Saturday, Feb. 1 at La Broquerie Habs, 7:30 p.m. at HyLife Centre
