Sundogs Top Rayz 3-2, Pull Even in 1-1 Series
April 1, 2007 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Arizona Sundogs News Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - The Arizona Sundogs, down 1-0 in the opening round best-of-seven series and trying to rebound from a 4-3 loss Friday night, squared off against the Corpus Christi Rayz Saturday night at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas. As they did on Friday night, the Sundogs would score first but unlike the previous night would hold on to the lead the entire contest. All-star forward Brent Kelly would collect two goals in Arizona's 3-2 win, knotting the series at 1-1.
In the first period Arizona's success with the man advantage would continue as Brent Kelly would score on the power play, slipping the puck through Ron Vogel's legs on the backhand. Veteran defensemen Dan Laperriere and Chris Bartolone would assist on the play at the 9:35 mark. Vogel would the Rayz deficit at one goal on a side to side glove save as Ryan Steeves and Jon Landry skated in on a 2-on-1 break. Steeves would find a trailing Landry but Vogel would glove the puck. Arizona more than doubled Corpus Christi's shot output in the period 12-5.
In the second period the Sundogs would take a two-goal lead as Kelly would notch his second of the game from Laperriere just 2:14 into the frame lifting the puck over Vogel's right shoulder. Just over two minutes later the Rayz would get on the board as Matt Turek would find the back of the net on passes from Kevin Watters and Adam Powell. The Sundogs would continue to collect scoring chances in the period but Vogel would keep his club just one goal back. At 11:02 the Sundogs would find themselves on the penalty kill. Dmitri Leonov would pick up a loose puck in the neutral zone and thread a pass between the Corpus Christi defense to a breaking Cory Stillman. Stillman would pull the puck to his forehand and wrist it past the Rayz netminder to give his club a 3-1 lead. Laperriere also tallied a helper on the shorthanded goal.
In the third period Derrick McIver would pull his club back to within one from Jason Baird and Steve Pelletier at the 14:24 mark. With one minute remaining in regulation the Rayz would pull Vogel for an extra skater in an attempt to tie the game but the effort would fall short as Arizona would hold on for the 3-2 win.
Mike Wall appeared in net for Arizona stopping 27 of 29 shots in the win while Vogel suffered his first loss of the series blocking 28 of 31 shots. Arizona finished 1-for-7 with the man advantage while holding the Rayz scoreless on seven chances. Arizona outshot Corpus Christi for the second straight game by a 31-29 mark. The Sundogs now travel back to Arizona to take on the Rayz for games three, four and five beginning on Wednesday, April 4. Games four and five are slated for Friday, April 6 and Saturday April 7. All three games are 7:00pm start times. Tickets are on sale now and are available by calling 1-866-4-GET-TIX (1-866-443-8849), visiting www.gettix.net or stopping by the Tim's Toyota Center Box Office. Fans are encouraged to wear white to all Sundogs' home playoff contests to show your support. Catch all the action live on 96.7 FM The Wolf, the Official Broadcast Home of the Arizona Sundogs.
Central Hockey League Stories from April 1, 2007
- RiverKings start strong, finish with 2-1 series lead - Mississippi RiverKings
- Sundogs Top Rayz 3-2, Pull Even in 1-1 Series - Arizona Sundogs
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