Ice Dogs Season 4 Press Room

The Derby Ice Dogs opened their pre-season with two wins over the St Louis Spirit.

Despite being heavily outshot in the first game 28-40, the Dogs dug deep and took the Penalty Shot victory. Goals coming from Captain Jamie Langenbrunner (2), PM Bouchard and Marian Gaborik took the game to the end with Marty Turco standing tall during the penalty shots to blank both Cammalleri and Richards.

After the game, GM Carnell stated “I’m happy with how the team played, it’s the first game of the season, guys are bound to be rusty so I’m not reading too much into this. We are playing a more defensive game tonight and we will continue to improve on the ice during games and training”

The following night, the Ice Dogs were at home for their second pre-season game where they played the Spirit again. This time the Ice Dogs were able make the passes and amassed 46 shots on goal, converting 5 of those chances, it was a night for the centermen with Marc Savard finding the back of the net twice and Pavelski and Failing also netting for the Dogs along with Cooke.

“Again, it’s still early days, but it’s always nice to get two early victories under our belts both on the road and at home” said Carnell “We will continue to play our game, be patient and take our chances”

It is expected that Turco will make way for Keetley in the upcoming game as Head Coach Gary Roberts gets to grips with the team which will see them travel to Milton Keynes to take on the Giraffes who beat the Knights of St George in their opening game.

Despite a Joe Pavelski hat trick, the Ice Dogs went down in over time to the Giraffes 4-3. After the game, GM Carnell spoke of his disappointment "We battled hard, but we were beaten by a better team, we have to stay positive and look at what we are doing right and look at improving our weaknesses"

Pavelski opened the scoring and the Ice Dogs took the lead going into the first break, before a mass of goals in the second which saw the Giraffes pull level only for Pavelski to net two goals in one minute to complete his hat-trick. This wasn't to last as the Giraffes pulled one back before the end of the second and to tie the game at the half way stage of the final period. Into overtime and the Giraffes sealed the extra point in front of their home fans.

The following night the Dogs played host to the Scarabs where they dominated the score board, despite the shot totals being similar.

Cooke opened the scoring before Jokinen doubled the lead just before the break. After the break Pavelski and Langenbrunner stretched the lead to 4 without reply. Matt Keetley picked up the first star for turning away 22 shots to record his first shut out.

After the game, GM Carnell was busy so Head Coach Gary Roberts too the spotlight "We played well and executed our plays, we killed off their powerplays without too much trouble and we generated a lot of space which created us chances. I am pleased with the games so far, and hope we can carry on building momentum during the pre-season to carry us into the regular season when it starts"

The Knights of St George visited Derby the following night and took the early lead when former Ice Dogs Shea Weber slotted home late in the first on a powerplay. A goaless second set up a tense final period that saw Marc Savard draw level after only 22 seconds. The score remained the same and it was onto penalties. Keetley stood tall and blanked both David Booth and Rene Bourque, Quick had no such luck and Pavelski first followed by Gaborik snatched the extra point for the Dogs.

GM Carnell said after the game "We beat a good side tonight, it was a night of the goalies and Keetley did up proud right to the end"

The Ice Dogs get a couple of days rest before heading to Scarab's arena for the return leg that is expected to be a tough encounter

GM of the Ice Dogs Carnell today confirmed Shea Weber will be on a plane heading back to the club that he left last season after being acquired in a trade with the Knights which saw Kim Johnsson return to his former club.

"Shea was our leader top point scorer when he left the club last season and we missed him on the blue line" stated Carnell "He was our go to guy who could score, defend and fight when needed, but we didn't have anyone else that could contribute goals, that's why we traded him away, times have changed and we now have guys that know where the net is, and we now have added to this by Shea's return"

Weber, one of the top defenceman in the league was wanted by several clubs after his availability was announced, is not expected to ice for the Ice Dogs in their next two games against the Scarabs and Knights.

Weber who was in training with the Knights briefly spoke to the media "I got the trade I wanted, after I left the club last season I always wanted to go back, now my dream has come true, the team is a better one than when I left and I'm looking forward to teaming up with my old teammates tonight and hope we can continue to improve."

Scarabs seeked revenge after they were shut out in Derby and took the lead just past half way through the first period on the powerplay. With a goalless second, the goals came quick in the third as Sykora levelled only for them to fall behind 22 seconds later. Derby's fate was sealed in the final three minutes as the Scarabs made it 3-1 in a game they outshot Derby 50-14

GM Carnell said "We were not at our best, Scarabs came out and dominated the game, we were second to the puck and were heavily outshot, there are positives to take out of the game, we had a good PK going and its something to work on during the week, we now refocus on the Knights"

And that they did in explosive style, with the Knights being hit for 8 as Derby unleashed wave after wave of firepower headed by Gaborik who picked up four goals.

With only one goal in the first, the floodgates opened in the second with Carle, Gaborik with his second and Langenbrunner stretching the lead to 4 without reply. Gaustad and Weber, who would be heading home with the Ice Dogs brought the game back to 4-2. The final period didnt get any better for the Knights as Gaborik sealed his hat trick and then bagged another before Failing and Pavelski made it 8-2. A late goal from Fisher made it 8-3 and GM Carnell was delighted with the performance "We responded to the Scarabs game and dominated, we got outshot, but we played hard and took our chances, I couldn't ask for anything less"

As the pre-season is drawing to a close, the Ice Dogs will be looking to continue to build on their last result when they face the Giraffes at home before the real action starts when the 606HL regular season begins.

The pre-season came to an end last night with the Ice Dogs getting revenge over the Giraffes after their overtime loss by sealing a 6-4 victory with Willie Failing securing a hat-trick and the first star

The Dogs got off to a great start when Failing picked up his first after just four minutes, before the half way stage of the first he had doubled the lead and forty seconds later, returnee Shea Weber got a goal on his debut with the club on the power play. The Giraffes pulled on back two minutes later, but Willie restored the three goal margin before the end of the first period.

The second Period was all about the Giraffes and they clawed two back but the final period the tables turned again and Gaborik got one back, the Giraffes picked up their fourth before PM Bouchard rounded off the scoring on a successful pre-season campaign from the Ice Dogs

"We have turned up every night and competed with our division, which is key to having a successful season" said GM Carnell "If we can continue to build on what we have here then we will have a better season than last, we have some great guys that are playing good hockey, and we have scoring across the board which is a positive. Between the pipes we have two very competitive goalies who want to start every game and across the blue line we are strong and stable"

With the club captaincy is still being decided, former captain Jamie Langenbrunner, Marc Savard and Pavel Kubina are expected to be the lead runners for the "C", alternates are expected to be announced as well tomorrow.

Derby Ice Dogs are pleased to announce that Jamie Langenbrunner will continue as captain for the season.

GM Carnell said "We left the decision up to the team, they nominated Jamie to continue as the club captain and we are happy with that decision. Jamie is a leader on the ice and off it, he is very proffesional and wears the "C" with pride.

Langenbrunners deputies will be Marian Gaborik and Pavel Kubina who will wear the "A"

Deadline Day passed with just one trade for the Ice Dogs in the end, despite a frantic last hour that saw four teams make offers for the same player. Along with the four offers coming in, we had representatives speaking with another 2 GM's trying to grab a last minute deal.

"We are not in the best position currently bottom of our conference, and we are looking at rebuilding for the future. We are not mathematically out of the running for the final Playoff spot, but realistically, we need to start looking towards the closed season where we can rebuild for a better year." said GM Carnell

"We started this yesterday by releasing forward Gaborik and defenceman Carle, this was a tough decision, both are top guys that have been key players this season, but with the acquisition of 23 year old Kyle Okposo, 25 year old Andrej Sekera and a star of the future, 19 year old Jamie Ram along with a first round pick this season and a further two picks next year will see us grow"

The Ice Dogs would like to thank Gaborik and Carle for their contributions to the Ice Dogs this season and wish them well.

The Ice Dogs loss tonight against Fumblesaurus Rex saw their Playoff hopes put to bed for another season after it became mathematically impossible for them to qualify.

"Its been on the cards for a while" stated GM Carnell who reflected on a long season that still has nine games left.

"The team this year has improved on last year, we have already picked up more points this season, but it is still not good enough."

The attention moves to the off season where the Ice Dogs and the Hornets will look at improving the roster and continuing to improve and work their way up the table.

Team Mogilny will have two Ice Dog's in the team this season along with GM Carnell running the team for the division.

"It was a privilege to be nominated by the other GM's, lets just hope things go our way" said GM Carnell

Shea Weber and Joe Pavelski will represent the Ice Dogs this season on the ice, which see's the Ice Dogs quota double on last years All Star Game.

Weber said "I played in the last All Star game, it was great weekend, and I'm sure with a team mate and former players out there it will be even better, just need to make sure we keep the GM out the way so we can party"

Pavelski, playing in his first All Star game said "When I got the call from the GM, I was honored, thinking your season is over, then to get a call to play one last game is always a bonus, just a shame I had to pull out of the Ice Dogs annual Golf Tournament that takes place this time every year."

News on the annual Ice Dogs Golf Tournament will be updated soon.

As another season came to an end, players joined management, sponsors and a select number of fans at the annual End of Season Awards Meal.

GM Carnell opened the evening thanking the sponsors and fans for their continued support throughout another disappointing season.

"Its not what we had set out to achieve this season" said Carnell, "We have improved on last season, gaining more points, picking up four more wins on last season, but it still wasn't enough to reach the playoffs. We will continue to build during the off season, and improve in key areas, we will be a stronger outfit next season, a new look team that will push for more wins on this hard push to reach the post season."

Following a few speech's, including that of the Captain, Jamie Langenbrunner, where he refused to comment on speculation that he would be hanging up his skates for good this summer, came the awards:

Coach's Player of the Year
Shea Weber - "Another solid season back with the Ice Dogs, top point scorer and has lead from the back all season" Coach Roberts

Players Player of the Year
Joe Pavelski - Captain Langenbrunner said "Inspiration since he came here, top guy behind the scenes and keeps the locker-room loose"

Defenceman of the Year
Shea Weber - "Top guy that plays in all situations" - Coach Roberts

Forward of the Year
Joe Pavelski - "Works his end off every time he is on the ice, will be a solid building block next season" - Coach Roberts

Rookie of the Year
Willie Failing - "Bright year last term, and has continued to develop this time, star of the future" - GM Carnell

Top Goal Scorer
Joe Pavelski - "Been a shining light since he joined the Ice Dogs" - GM Carnell

Top Point Scorer
Shea Weber - "Exactly what you want from a Star player, would boost any team" - GM Carnell

Most Improved Player
Jaroslav Halak & Matt Keetley - "Both were thrown in the deep end due to below average performances, stars of the franchises future" - Coach Roberts

GM Carnell closed the evening with a promise to the Fans "We will improve again over the summer, we will bring back everyone that has earned the contract, and look to fill the gaps that players have not fulfilled. We will be talking with all players and will be determining where we go as a team and what is expected of the players."

GM Carnell lead Team Mogilny to victory once again over Iggy's Team Fedorov in the second annual All Star Game.

Derby Ice Dogs were represented on ice by Shea Weber and Joe Pavelski where Weber, playing on a line with Duncan Keith picked up two assists along with being named an alternate captain.

The game finished 3-2 in the Mogilny's favour, afterwards, GM Carnell looked relieved - "There was pressure on winning again after picking up the victory last season, I feel the bunch of guys played well, and more importantly had fun out there, the cries from the other GM of us playing rough are just sour grapes, we played to our strengths and if that means taking a couple of penalties, then that's fine, we just outplayed them, simple"

"It was fun out there tonight" said Pavelski, "Their guys were playing like they were from the European leagues, falling all over the place and drawing penalties, once they realised what they was up against"