Bossier-Shreveport Doubles-Up Arizona 6-3
February 21, 2009 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Arizona Sundogs News Release
PRESCOTT VALLEY, Ariz. - The Sundogs missed an opportunity to climb back into the Southern Conference's fifth playoff spot as the Mudbugs doubled-up Arizona 6-3 Saturday night, completing the weekend sweep. Corpus Christi fell 5-3 to New Mexico but remains one point ahead of the Sundogs for the final playoff spot.
Opposite Friday night's contest, it would be Arizona skating into the first intermission with a one-goal lead. Skating 5-on-4, Former NHLer Dwayne Hay extended his current point streak to eight games with his third goal in as many games, knocking home a loose puck that bounced off the half boards and onto his stick at the 5:00 mark. Defenseman Tyler Scott picked up his first point in a Sundogs uniform with an assist on the early power play tally. The visiting Mudbugs outshot Arizona 11-8 in the opening frame.
Bossier-Shreveport exploded for four goals in the second period and two separated by just 13 seconds midway through to take a 4-1 lead after trailing by one for nearly 23 minutes of play Saturday. Dale Lupul opened scoring for his club directly off a clean faceoff win in the offensive zone by Joe Blaznek. Lupul walked in from the top of the circle before lifting a shot through traffic and over a screened Marco Emond. Kevin Cooper netted his 14th of the year 13 seconds later off a Sundogs turnover in their own zone to give the Mudbugs their first lead of the night. Lupul and Blaznek were credited with their second points of the game with helpers on the go ahead goal. Neil Clark tallied his fourth goal in two nights at the 13:06 mark, slapping home a rebound from between the circles that Arizona was unable to clear. With the Mudbugs skating 4-on-3 with less than a minute to play in the period, Lupul was credited with his second of the night for a commanding three-goal cushion with 20 minutes of regulation time to play. J.J. Martin sent a shot from the point towards the net that bounced off several bodies and past Emond. Bossier-Shreveport dominated in the second, holding Arizona to just five shots on net while throwing 17 towards Emond for a two-period 28-13 advantage.
Arizona pulled back to within two early in the third period as Rob Lehtinen recorded his 11th of the year 1:35 into the frame. Adam Perry picked up his 28th assist of the season, sending a centering feed from below the goal line to Lehtinen between the circles. Blaznek reclaimed a three-goal lead for the Mudbugs with blistering slap shot from the near faceoff circle three minutes later for his third point of the contest. With Arizona on its fifth power play of the night, Lehtinen tallied his second of the period with players collapsing on a loose puck in the goal crease. Chris Brassard capped off scoring with his second point of the night, slapping the puck off the stick and into the net past an unsuspecting Emond as defenseman Matt Hanson attempted to circle behind his own net.
Emond allowed six goals on 34 shots, falling to 14-14-3 on the year while Horrell grabbed his third-straight win with 19 saves on 22 shots. Arizona converted on 2-of-5 power play chances while holding Bossier-Shreveport to 1-for-8 with the man-advantage.
Despite the loss, Arizona (22-27-3) still sits just one point back of Corpus Christi for the Southern Conference's fifth and final playoff spot as the IceRays fell 5-3 to the New Mexico Scorpions Saturday night. The Sundogs now head on the road for four games in five nights in South Texas beginning Tuesday against the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees in Hidalgo. Tuesday's game is set for 6:35pm (Arizona time) but will be tape-delayed until 7:00pm on 96.7 FM The Wolf, the Official Broadcast Home of the Arizona Sundogs.
Central Hockey League Stories from February 21, 2009
- Mudbugs Burn Sundogs, Clinch Playoff Spot - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
- Bossier-Shreveport Doubles-Up Arizona 6-3 - Arizona Sundogs
- Scorpions hold on to beat IceRays - Corpus Christi IceRays
- Rage Fall Short in Bid to Sweep Eagles - Rocky Mountain Rage
- Eagles Double-Up Rage, End Skid - Colorado Eagles
- Brahmas earn playoff position and point Saturday - Fort Worth Brahmas
- Scorpions Get Much Needed Victory Over IceRays - New Mexico Scorpions
- Gorillas buck Laredo with strong third period - Amarillo Gorillas
- RiverKings Sweep Wichita with 5-3 Home Win - Mississippi RiverKings
- Bucks Cursed By Bad Breaks In 6-4 Loss - Laredo Bucks
- Comeback Falls Short Again - Wichita Thunder
- Bucs Fall to Sioux City 8-2 - Laredo Bucks
- Sundogs Featured on PhoenixCoyotes.com - Arizona Sundogs
- RiverKings vs. Wichita Matchup - Mississippi RiverKings
- Bucks Look To Bounce Back Tonight - Laredo Bucks
- Oilers Preview - Tulsa Oilers
- Oilers Win Second Straight - Tulsa Oilers
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.
