Rail Yard Dawgs Look For February Push To Regain Momentum

The Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs’ rise to the top of the Southern Professional Hockey League table in mid-January was a quick visit and exit.

Now the team is looking to regroup with two 3-game home stands in February, traveling over two consecutive weekends.

The Dawgs had an impressive run in early January when the team finished in first place. Roanoke opened a two-game series with the Birmingham Bulls at Berglund Pond on January 20 with a win, but fell short in a 4-1 loss the following night to give the Bulls the 2-game split and End the 8 game of the Dawgs winning streak.

Roanoke found it difficult last weekend, losing twice en route to the second-rate Pensacola Ice Flyers, though the Dawgs picked up a point by losing Game 1 in overtime. Roanoke is 0-2-1 in their last three games and faces a weekend rematch with a pair of Friday and Saturday nights against the same Ice Flyers. Puck drop-off at the Berglund Center is at 7:05 am every night. The Dawgs remain in Roanoke for a rare school day morning duel against the Fayetteville Marksmen with Puck Drop at 10:35 am on Thursday, February 9th.

The Dawgs head to Knoxville the 11th in Alabama five straight nights starting Friday, February 10th to take on Huntsville Havoc before heading to the Midwest for a pair vs. on February 17th and 18th Quad City and a visit to the last place Vermillion Country Bobcats on the 19th.

Roanoke returns home for a three-game set against Vermillion County Thursday through Saturday, February 23-25. With six points up for grabs against the lowly Bobcats, it could easily set the tone for the regular season’s stretch run.

While the Dawgs hit the speed limit in late January, both Peoria and Huntsville took advantage. Peoria currently sits first with 50 points, seven points ahead of Roanoke after going 9-1-0-0 in their last 10 games. The Rivermen have won their last eight. Huntsville has maintained a 6-3-0-1 in the last 10 and is a point ahead of Roanoke with 44 points. Birmingham have also had a winning streak, going 7-3-0-0 in the last 10, tying them with Roanoke’s 43 points. Not to be overlooked are Knoxville and Evansville, who sit respectfully 2 and 3 points behind the Dawgs.

After the 3-game set at home to Vermillion County, Roanoke will not have a home game at the Berglund Center for 27 days. That will give the Dawgs an opportunity to make a late push when they finish the regular season with seven of their last eight games on Berglund ice.

Bill Turner