Americans Down Sundogs, 6-3

Published on November 27, 2010 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Arizona Sundogs News Release


PRESCOTT VALLEY, Ariz. - Looking for back-to-back home wins for the first time this season, the Arizona Sundogs faltered, 6-3, to the Allen Americans Saturday night at Tim's Toyota Center in the final contest of a three-game set between the two clubs.

Judd Blackwater led the way for the Americans, figuring into four of his team's six scores with two goals and two assists.

Arizona's Maxime Renaud recorded a pair of assists for the third straight game while Adam Smyth tallied twice in the loss.

Opposite Wednesday night's contest in which the Sundogs converted on each of their first-period power plays, it would be the Americans who would make good on both opening-period man advantage opportunities Saturday for a 2-0 lead after 20 minutes of play.

Stationed at the near post, Bruce Graham gave his club an early 1-0 lead with his team-leading 23rd point of the season just over eight minutes into the contest. Blackwater collected a Dave Bonk pass along the far boards and circled to the blue line before finding Graham alone at the near post for the early tally.

Colton Yellow Horn stretched Allen's lead to two four minutes later with his seventh goal of the season, beating Doug Groenestege five-hole with a slap shot along the ice from the near point.

Jason Visser responded with a power-play goal 4:56 into the second frame, redirecting a Tyler Butler shot from the point past Adrien LeMay and cutting Allen's lead back to one. Collecting a pass from Billy Bezeau between the circles, Butler floated a shot through traffic and onto the stick of Visser in the slot.

Blackwater and Greg Gallagher scored three minutes apart midway through the frame to open a three-goal lead for the Americans but Renaud and Smyth cut the deficit back to two 21 seconds after Blackwater pushed the score to 4-1.

Renaud rushed up the ice and sent a shot on net from the far circle before collecting his own rebound and slipping the puck behind LeMay setting up Smyth for the tap in goal with 6:47 to play in the period.

The two combined again early in the third period, pulling their club to within one at the 8:53 mark. Renaud picked up the puck in his defensive zone and skated below the near circle before dropping a pass in the slot that Smyth one-timed past LeMay for his second of the night and third of the year.

Blackwater notched his second of the game with 6:16 to play in the contest, sneaking a shot near side between Groenestege and goal post.

Tobias Whelan sealed the win with a shorthanded effort with 2:41 to play.

Groenestege faced 37 shots in the loss opposite LeMay who earned his second win in as many tries against Arizona, making 40 saves.

Allen finished 2-for-3 on the power play while the Sundogs converted once on four man advantage opportunities.

Despite the loss, Arizona (6-9-2) sits just two points back of fourth-place in the Berry Conference. The Sundogs open a six-game road trip beginning Thursday, Dec. 2 against the Laredo Bucks (6-8-3). Game time is set for 6:00pm (Arizona time). Listen live online at www.cattlecountryradio.com and on KDDL ‘Cattle Country' 94.3FM, the Official Radio Home of Arizona Sundogs Hockey.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Central Hockey League Stories from November 27, 2010


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central