The IceDogs began their annual Michigan trip with a 5-4 shootout win in Saginaw.
Down 2-0 after one, Krys Barch's side tied the game with a pair within 48 seconds before the middle period was 5 minutes old. Heyden Reid and Ryan Roobroeck each notched their first of the season. After surrendering a power-play marker, the IceDogs responded on their man advantage off the stick of Ethan Czata. Czata's second of the night, a short-handed goal came with 0.5 second left in period two.
The Spirit would score the only goal of the third to send the game to overtime.
Both teams would get power-plays in extra time, without success. In the shootout, the shooters prevailed with Roobroeck, Czata and Riley Patterson all scoring. Charlie Robertson, making his first start after off-season surgery, made the first save, before Kevin He would end the drama keeping the Niagara shooters perfect.
Robertson stopped 33 to get the win as the IceDogs were out-shot 37-21. Next up, a trip to Flint to go for the sweep. New Country 89.1 will have the call begging at 6:45 Saturday night.