Eagles Edge 'Dogs, 2-1, in Closely Contested Battle

Published on November 28, 2009 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Arizona Sundogs News Release


PRESCOTT VALLEY, Ariz. - The Arizona Sundogs dropped their seventh one-goal game of the season Friday night at Tim's Toyota Center as the visiting Colorado Eagles escaped with a 2-1 win.

Linus Fagemo tallied the lone marker for Arizona in the loss with his fifth goal in four games. Konrad Reeder assisted on the play, extending his point streak to eight games.

Arizona and Colorado skated to a scoreless tie in the opening frame Friday in a period that saw 18 combined shots but few quality scoring opportunities. The Eagles' Riley Nelson nearly gave his club a 1-0 lead late in the first, ringing a wrist shot off the near post with less than 10 seconds remaining in the period.

J.F. Perras made his biggest save of the period at the 11:20 mark, turning aside a 2-on-1 attempt with his right pad sliding across the goal mouth.

Linemates Kyle Hood and Torren Delforte collected the Sundogs' best scoring opportunity midway through the frame as the two caught the Eagles defense in a line change. Collecting the puck at the blue line, Hood skated below the far faceoff dot before dropping a pass to Delforte trailing the play.

Colorado held a 10-8 advantage in shots in the first period.

Looking to snap a 0-0 tie, rookie Joey Sides skated in on a partial breakaway just over four minutes into the second period. Under pressure from a trailing Eagles player, Sides moved to his backhand but was unable to convert as Colorado netminder Mike Mole made a sprawling glove save.

Arizona broke the scoreless tie several minutes later only to have it waived off by referee Travis Smith who whistled the play dead despite the puck being loose at the top of the goal crease.

The Sundogs opened a one-goal lead on their third man advantage chance of the evening as Kevin Gardner slowed play behind the Eagles' cage. Looking for a passing lane, Gardner found Fagemo between the circles for his fifth goal in four games at the 15:33 mark. Former Colorado Eagle Reeder also assisted on the play.

Colorado pulled even just before the close of the middle period as Ryan Tobler slipped a shot through the Perras' legs with 27.1 seconds showing on the clock. Nelson and Aaron Schneekloth were credited with helpers on the late equalizer.

The duo of Tobler from Nelson came together again for the eventual game winner at 12:30 of the third period as Nelson, skating below the goal line, found Tobler stationed in the slot. Tobler beat Perras with a snap shot below the arm for his seventh of the year.

Arizona received two separate power plays late in the contest but was unable to capitalize.

Perras stopped 26 of 28 shots in the loss while Mole earned the win with 28 saves on 29 attempts. The Sundogs finished 1-for-6 with the man advantage and held Colorado scoreless on four power play opportunities.

The two teams face off again tomorrow night at Tim's Toyota Center at 7:05pm as the Sundogs honor the nation's Armed Forces on Military Appreciation Night. The team will wear military-themed jerseys and will hold a live postgame auction to benefit The Arizona Sundogs Foundation.

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. Military personnel can receive $4 off any ticket with their military-issued identification card.

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Central Hockey League Stories from November 28, 2009


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