Rayz fall to Sundogs, 5-2

Published on March 17, 2007 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Corpus Christi IceRays News Release


Todd Paul scored two goals for the Corpus Christi Rayz Friday Night, but it was not enough as they were stopped by the Arizona Sundogs 5-2 at Tim's Toyota Center in Prescott Valley, Arizona. Corpus Christi fell to 33-21-7 for 73 points and lost two consecutive games for the first time since January 6th and 7th. Arizona netminder Mike Wall made 20 saves for the win and scored his first professional goal into an empty net to help the Sundogs run their CHL-high home winning streak to eight games. The Rayz remained in second place in the Southern Conference and will square off against Arizona on Saturday Night in the series finale. Corpus Christi Playoff tickets are on sale now and packages start at just $72. For more information, please call the Rayz at (361) 814-PUCK.

The Sundogs came out an inspired hockey club to begin the game and tallied twice quickly to start the game. 1:22 into the contest Brad Mehalko scored his second of the season on a rebound at the top of the crease. The Dogs made the score 2-0 when Jon Landry blasted a rocket from the left point off a face-off win at 6:06. The Rayz cut the deficit in half and got on the board when Todd Paul ripped a slapshot from the left point on the power play at 10:18 to pull the Rayz within one. The first period close with Arizona leading 2-1 and outshooting the Rayz 15-7.

Early in the second period the Rayz tied the game when Paul struck for the second time. On a power play, the Rayz set up Paul in the left edge of the slot where he one-timed a shot past Mike Wall at 3:10. The Sundgos, however, recaptured the lead shortly after that. At 4:47 Cory Stillman redirected a centering feed from Brent Kelly past Brent Zelenewich to give the Dogs the lead at 3-2. The Dogs then went up by a pair again with a late goal in the second. Daniel Laperriere sprung Ryan Steeves on a breakaway at 19:46 and Steeves beat Zelenewich upstairs to give Arizona a 4-2 lead after two periods. The Sundogs outshot Corpus Christi 21-11 in the middle frame.

In the third period the Rayz were unable to mount a comeback and Arizona capped their victory in the most unlikely of fashions. With time winding down, Corpus Christi pulled Zelenewich and and Arizona's netminder Mike Wall got the puck and shot it over everyone and into the empty net for his first professional goal at17:49. The goal capped off Arizona's 5-2 win.

Zelenewich made 35 saves on 39 shots and fell to 12-9-3 on the year. Wall earned the win, upping to 4-2 while making 20 saves on 22 shots. The Sundogs outshot the Rayz 40-22. The Rayz went 2-5 on the power play and the Dogs went 0-4. Arizona improved to 31-27-2 on the year and remained in the hunt for the Southwest Division lead four points behind the New Mexico Scorpions.

Corpus Christi is your town and the Rayz are Your Team! Come support the Rayz as they head into the post-season. Playoff packages start at just $72. Come support your hometown team! For more information, please call the Rayz at (361) 814-PUCK.

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Central Hockey League Stories from March 17, 2007


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