Sandpoint IceDogs nets win in playoff game

SPOKANE VALLEY — The IceDogs (8-6-0) began their best-of-three playoff series with a 1-0 victory against Subdivision, the league's first place team, in an intense game Wednesday that saw over seventy minutes in penalties handed out to both sides, including two game misconducts.

The opening period had all the markings of a playoff game as both teams displayed a great deal of energy. Both teams struggled to get on the scoreboard first to gain an advantage, but, were unable to penetrate each other's defenses.

The second period was basically a repeat of the first as each team's goalie continued to plug holes and the defense kept the forwards from gaining any strong opportunities. The neutral zone saw most of the action as neither team allowed the other to gain any strong offensive momentum, even with the many powerplay opportunities for both sides as a result of a multitudinous number of penalties.

It was towards the end of the third period that everyone was thinking overtime when the stalemate was finally broken with a powerplay goal by Sandpoint's Jeff Neil (assisted by Hal Schmidt and Jordan Wahlin).

With less than a minute left in the game, Subdivision pulled their goalie to get an extra skater but were unable to prevent an empty netter scored by Sandpoint's Jason Hicks.

The Game MVP's were Sandpoint's Neil (winger), Doug Thompson (goalie) and Subdivision's goalie, Kent Chandler.

This was Thompson's first shutout of the season having just been added to the IceDogs roster in February.

Sandpoint's IceDogs next playoff game is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. Wednesday at Planet Ice in Spokane Valley.