Ice Dogs Snap Losing Streak

Jessica Stamp
Mirror contributing writer

   The Long Beach Ice Dogs professional hockey squad defeated the Bakersfield Condors in a 3-2 shootout last Sunday in West Coast Hockey League action.
   Jamie O’Leary scored first for Long Beach only 1:20 into the first period. Then Tyler Willis put the Ice Dogs up 2-0 at the 5:58 mark.
   Long Beach had four power-play chances to put the game away, but failed to convert for the eighth game in a row without a power-play goal. Long Beach could not hold on, as Bakersfield tied the game with goals in the third period by Jason Jackman and Shawn Byram.
   However, Bakersfield could only net two goals against Long Beach goaltender, B.J. Boxma, while the Ice Dogs registered three off goals by J.P. O’Connor, Jeff Attard, and Chris Peyton. Long Beach has gone to a shootout in its last three games.
   Boxma recorded 32 saves on the night and stopped three breakaways in Bakersfield to earn the game’s puck from Coach Kevin Kaminski. “He made some huge, huge saves for us,” said Kaminski. “He probably won the game for us.”
   Long Beach made headlines this month when it started Danielle Dube in goal, only the third woman to start a professional hockey match. Dube, a 26-year old Vancouver native, made 18 saves, but lost her debut 4-1 to San Diego at Long Beach Arena in front of 1,633 fans. Earlier this season, she made 12 saves out of 13 shots as a relief goalie. “Her work ethic is unbelievable, both on and off the ice,” Coach Kaminski said of Dube.
   The Ice Dogs will play a rematch against San Diego in Long Beach Arena on December 27.