Four-Goal First Period Lifts Sundogs To 5-3 Win
Published on February 28, 2010 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Arizona Sundogs News Release
PRESCOTT VALLEY, Ariz. - A four-goal first period was more than enough to lift the Arizona Sundogs to a 5-3 win over the Wichita Thunder Sunday afternoon at INTRUST Bank Arena in Wichita, Kansas, pulling the Sundogs back to within 11 points of the Southern Conference's fifth and final playoff spot.
Kyle Hood led the Sundogs with a goal and two assists while rookie forward Joey Sides tallied a pair of goals, his first since February 5.
Steve Potvin ended a 0-for-33 power play drought for Arizona six minutes into the third period with a man-advantage tally from Hood and Andrew Winnik, blasting a slap shot from the left circle.
Arizona helped itself to an early 2-0 lead on a pair of goals just 22 seconds apart in the opening frame's first ten minutes.
Kevin Jarman picked up his seventh of the season and third since joining the Sundogs 8:54 into the contest, burying a Mike Nesdill rebound five-hole past Ian Keserich.
Sides collected his first of two markers less than 30 seconds later, skating from behind the net on D-to-D passes and lifting a shot past Keserich at the 9:16 mark.
Recently-signed forward Bobby Hughes cut the Sundogs' lead in half with his second goal in as many games less than a minute later, banging home a rebound from the slot past Doug Groenestege.
Hood made it 3-1 in favor of Arizona at 15:06 from Evan Shaw and Marc Belanger before Sides opened a three-goal lead for the Sundogs with 2:14 to play in the first.
Collecting passes from Adam Smyth and Torren Delforte, Sides skated down the left wing side and beat Keserich with a wrist shot from the far boards.
Backup netminder Scott Campbell replaced Keserich through the final two periods after Keserich allowed four goals on 15 shots.
Ryan Campbell pulled Wichita back to within two with 30 seconds to play in the middle frame, redirecting a Chris McAllister shot past Groenestege for his 18th of the year and fourth with the Thunder.
Tomas Klempa gathered his fifth of the season from Hughes and Hanson at 15:44 of the third period.
Groenestege finished with 33 saves on 36 shots in his ninth straight start for Arizona. Backup Campbell turned aside 20 saves on 21 shots in relief of Keserich.
The Sundogs finished 1-for-9 with the man-advantage while holding Wichita scoreless on six power-play chances.
Arizona (20-29-6) opens a three-game home stand against the Amarillo Gorillas on Wednesday at 7:05pm at Tim's Toyota Center. Tickets start at just $14 and are available by phone at 1-866-4-GET-TIX (1-866-443-8849), online at www.gettix.net and in person at the Tim's Toyota Center Box Office.
Electronic box score: http://www.pointstreak.com/prostats/boxscore.html?gameid=1067829
Central Hockey League Stories from February 28, 2010
- Four-Goal First Period Lifts Sundogs To 5-3 Win - Arizona Sundogs
- Sundogs Hang On Against Thunder - Wichita Thunder
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- Mavericks Win Fourth Straight Over Texas, 4-2 - Kansas City Mavericks
- 'Bugs Edge Oilers, Win Eighth Straight - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
- Thinel's Hat Trick Highlights Jacks Win - Odessa Jackalopes
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