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Since the last time the Ice Dogs played a hockey game, they’ve taken in a baseball game, done some sightseeing in Kansas City and feasted on the fine cooking of Mr. and Mrs. Kirtland.

But Ice Dogs coach Rob Proffitt isn’t worried about his team getting back focused on hockey for today’s 4:05 p.m. North American Hockey League playoff contest against the Topeka RoadRunners.

“I don’t think so,” Proffitt said. “If you’ve got to get motivated this time of year — I don’t care if you got three hours or three weeks between games — if you need to get motivated, you’re in the wrong sport.”

The best-of-five series is locked up 1-1, with the teams splitting a pair of 3-1 decisions last week. The winner of the series represents the South Division in the Robertson Cup tournament, which begins Wednesday in St. Louis.

With all five games of the series taking place in Topeka, Kan., the Ice Dogs had to find a way to kill the five days between games.

So, after a down day Saturday, the Ice Dogs did some sight seeing in Kansas City Sunday, took in a Cleveland Indians-Kansas City Royals baseball game on Monday and enjoyed an all-day barbecue at the Kirtland’s place in Lawrence, Kan., on Tuesday before getting back to the grind Wednesday. The Kirtlands are the parents of Ice Dogs forward Paul Kirtland.

“It hasn’t been just lay around, it hasn’t been boring,” Proffitt said. “We got to see some new sights, we got to have a good time. We backed off the throttle for three or four days, now we’re stepping on it today.”

And when the Ice Dogs are at full throttle, they’ve proven to be a tough team to beat, winning three of their last four playoff games, all on the road.

“Nothing changes for us. It’s been a hell of a series so far, but it’s got the makings of a great series,” Proffitt said. “Bottom line, if we execute our game plan, we like our chances of winning. You can’t take anything for granted this time of year. Simple and efficient, this time of year, you’ve got to find a way to get it done.”

Aaron Stonacek has continued to find a way to get it done for the Ice Dogs, scoring five goals and tallying three assists in Fairbanks’ six playoff games.

In fact Stonacek, who had 18 goals in the regular season, is so dialed in right now that 36 percent of his shots are finding the back of the net.

“No question, you’ve got to have (goaltender Cody) Reichard big between the pipes, he’s got to keep the trend and there’s other guys here who are finding a way to get in the scoring column,” Proffitt said. “Opportunistic goal scorers this time of year, those are the guys you read about in the morning. We need those guys.”

Reichard, for his part, has a 1.87 goals allowed average in the playoffs and has stopped 94 percent of the pucks he’s faced.

Harrison honored

Ice Dogs forward Caleb Harrison was named Wednesday as the recipient of the NAHL’s Academic Achievement Award.

The Fairbanks native has a 3.9 grade point average and received a 30 on his ACT.

Harrison committed to play for Holy Cross next year.

“Caleb has been nothing short of outstanding in terms of balancing his athletics with his academics,” Proffitt said. “His achievements in the classroom say a lot about his discipline and character.”

On the ice, Harrison recorded 10 goals, 13 assists and a plus/minus rating of +17 in 46 games.

Game watch

With the Ice Dogs battling away on the road, the Fairbanks Family Moose Center continues hosting game watches for Fairbanks fans.

Last Friday’s game watch drew 120 fans and Moose member Ryan Bush said he’s expected to draw more this weekend.

The event, which features three big screens, is open to Moose members and their guests only, so those interested in attending should call Bush at 460-0205 to become his guest. Bush added that seating is limited, so fans should get there early.