Cutthroats Come Back, But Fall Short in 5-4 Shootout Loss
December 21, 2012 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Denver Cutthroats News Release
DENVER - The Denver Cutthroats scored a pair of goals in the final three minutes of regulation to force overtime, but the Arizona Sundogs ultimately prevailed for a 5-4, shootout win on Friday night at the Denver Coliseum.
Kevin Petovello was credited with the game-winning goal after scoring in round five of the shootout for the Sundogs (11-13-4). Brad Smyth extended his league-leading point streak to 14 games registering an assist for the Cutthroats (15-10-2).
The Cutthroats erased a 4-2 deficit in the final minutes of the third period as Aaron MacKenzie scored a backhand shot from the bottom of the right circle with 2:27 to play, and Markus Lauridsen buried a shorthanded goal from the left point with 1:06 remaining. Smyth assisted on MacKenzie's goal to extend his point streak.
AJ Gale scored the Cutthroats only shootout goal. Derek LeBlanc also scored for Arizona in round two.
The Sundogs jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the opening period with goals from Jake Hauswirth at 1:41, Petovello at 9:44, and Matt Tessone with six seconds left in the frame.
The Fish began their comeback at 1:11 of period two when Joel Chouinard scored from the slot on a centering pass by Troy Schwab. Schwab then found the scoresheet himself driving the net through the left circle midway through the frame, just 43 seconds after Arizona's Chad Nehring scored at 9:19.
Kieran Millan took the loss, stopping 26 shots in the process. Arizona's Adam Russo earned the win making 30 saves on the night.
The loss drops Denver's record to 5-2 in shootouts this season. Despite the shootout loss, the Cutthroats maintain sole possession of third place in the CHL -- one point ahead of the Bloomington Blaze.
The Cutthroats finished 0-for-2 on the power play while Arizona went 0-for-3.
The Cutthroats close out their six-game homestand on Saturday against the Sundogs at Denver Coliseum. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 PM MST.
Three Stars:
1. Kevin Petovello (ARZ)
2. Markus Lauridsen (DEN)
3. Adam Russo (ARZ)
• Discuss this story on the Central Hockey League message board...
Central Hockey League Stories from December 21, 2012
- Sundogs Edge out Cutthroats in Shootout, 5-4 - Arizona Sundogs
- Cutthroats Come Back, But Fall Short in 5-4 Shootout Loss - Denver Cutthroats
- Brahmas Shut out by Thunder - Fort Worth Brahmas
- Thunder Bounce Back by Blanking Brahmas 4-0 - Wichita Thunder
- Mallards Shoot Down Tulsa 5-4 - Quad City Mallards
- Gron's Hat Trick Buries Rush 4-1 - Rapid City Rush
- Gron Hat Trick Leads Blaze Past Rush - Bloomington Blaze
- Road Curse Continues as Tulsa Falls to Quad City 5-4 - Tulsa Oilers
- Shots from the Point for December 21, 2012 - CHL
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.
Other Recent Denver Cutthroats Stories
- Veteran Defenseman Returns to the Denver Cutthroats
- Former Open Tryout Participant Returns to the Denver Cutthroats
- Denver Cutthroats Hold Third Annual Open Tryouts
- Denver Cutthroats Add Two More to 2014-15 Roster
- Two Veterans Add Depth to Cutthroats 2014-15 Roster
