'Dogs Down Bees, 3-2, in Overtime, Close out Road Trip with 4-1-1 Mark

Published on December 11, 2010 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Arizona Sundogs News Release


PRESCOTT VALLEY, Ariz. - Mark Kolanos tallied a pair of goals including his team-leading third game-winner of the season 1:23 into overtime to lead the Arizona Sundogs to a 3-2 victory over the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees Saturday night at State Farm Arena in Hidalgo, Texas.

Kolanos recorded his second overtime goal of the year early in the extra frame, gaining the offensive zone along the near boards before firing a shot through the legs of a Rio Grande Valley defenseman and over a screened Dan Rosen.

The Sundogs close out their six-game road trip with a 4-1-1 mark and are now 7-1-3 in their last 11 games away from Tim's Toyota Center.

Luke Erickson collected a goal and an assist while Jason Visser picked up a pair of helpers in the win.

Arizona held a 2-0 lead for nearly 30 minutes of play but Rio Grande Valley's Aaron Lewicki tallied twice in a four-minute span in the second period, knotting the score at two and eventually forcing overtime.

Kolanos gave Arizona an early 1-0 lead 7:56 into the contest with his ninth goal of the season from Visser and Erickson. Crossing the blue line skating 3-on-1, Kolanos fooled Rosen with a wrist shot from the far faceoff dot that changed direction off a broken stick on the ice.

Erickson stretched the Sundogs' lead to two six-and-a-half minutes into the second period, pushing a rebound past Rosen from the side of the cage. Rosen made an initial leg pad save on a Tyler Butler shot from the point but Erickson came from behind the Rio Grande Valley net to knock the rebound across the goal line for his team-leading 10th goal of the year and second point of the night.

Tomas Klempa assisted on both Lewicki markers in the middle frame, setting up the first goal with a feed from below the left circle to Klempa at the right side with 5:09 to play in the period.

Lewicki then pulled his club even at two with a power-play goal with 1:30 to play in the frame, slapping a second-chance effort past Levente Szuper from the top of the goal crease.

Szuper finished the night with 29 saves, his biggest stop coming at the first period's 9:19 mark as he steered a loose puck clear of the goal crease from his stomach.

The Sundogs were held without a power-play goal for the first time in five games, finishing 0-for-4 with the man advantage. Rio Grande Valley converted once on five tries.

Arizona improves to 10-10-3 on the year and sits in a three-way tie for fourth place in the Berry Conference, two points back of third-place Texas.

The Sundogs return to Prescott Valley for a three-game set against the defending Ray Miron Presidents' Cup Champion Rapid City Rush (11-8-4) beginning Wednesday, Dec. 15 at 7:05pm (Arizona time). Tickets start at just $12 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.

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Central Hockey League Stories from December 11, 2010


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