The Niagara IceDogs are preparing for their last two games before the Christmas break.

Coming off a huge win against Peterborough last Saturday night, the IceDogs look to go into the holiday season with another pair of wins.

Niagara will play host to Jared Staal and the Sudbury Wolves on Thursday December 17, at 7:30 p.m. The last time Sudbury visited Niagara on October 17, the Dogs punished the Wolves in an exciting 7-3 victory.

The season series is even as both teams managed to get a win in their home rinks.

The IceDogs will then take a short bus ride to Mississauga on Sunday afternoon to take on the St. Mike’s Majors with the puck drop set for 2:00 p.m. This series is also tied at 2-2, and the IceDogs will look to take the series lead against the central division’s second place Majors.

Prior to the start of Thursday night’s home game, the IceDogs will host a puck-dropping ceremony in celebration of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay. The event will feature a number of guests including torchbearers Chris Hoekstra, Ted Van Geest, and Michael Accursi who will carry the Olympic Flame as it passes through our community.

The puck drop is in recognition of the Olympic Flame’s upcoming trip to our city.  The City of St. Catharines will officially welcome the Olympic Flame on December 20. A mid-day celebration is being planned featuring live entertainment, special guests and a cauldron lighting ceremony. Come out and the join millions of other Canadians in celebration of the Olympic Flame’s journey to the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

For those people interested in attending Thursday’s game, tickets are still available for this and all other IceDogs home games, and can be purchased at any IceDogs ticketing location.

- Jeff Blay, Media Relations