Ignatjev Goal Gives Ice Dogs Victory

Victor Ignatjev scored with two seconds left as the Ice Dogs edged the Kansas City Blades, 4-3, in front of an announced crowd of 3,605 at the Long Beach Arena Friday night.

The victory gave the Ice Dogs a 1-0 lead in the International Hockey League’s best-of-seven Western Conference semifinal series.

Kansas City, which outshot Long Beach, 39-16, rallied to tie the score with two late goals. Jason Cirone scored a power-play goal with 3:30 remaining and Dave Chyzowski tied it 24 seconds before Ignatjev’s game-winner.

Goals by Vitali Yachmenev 37 seconds into the game and Mark Hardy on a power-play 73 seconds later gave the Ice Dogs a 2-0 lead. Yachmenev scored his second goal early in the second period, also on a power play.

Kay Whitmore finished with 36 saves for Long Beach.