Rookie Schafer the Hero in First Pro Game
December 29, 2010 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Arizona Sundogs News Release
PRESCOTT VALLEY, Ariz. - Rookie forward Patrick Schafer, added to Arizona's roster earlier in the day, played hero Wednesday night at Tim's Toyota Center, collecting his first pro goal with just 1:29 remaining in his first pro game to give the Sundogs a 3-2 win over the visiting Laredo Bucks.
With the score knotted at two and the game all but heading to overtime, Schafer crashed the net on a late offensive rush, diving at a loose puck and knocking it across the goal line with less than two minutes to play in the contest, snapping the Sundogs' four-game winless streak.
Laredo carried play in the opening period, outshooting the Sundogs by a 20-5 margin.
Bucks leading scorer Neil Trimm gave his club an early 1-0 lead, beating Levente Szuper off an offensive zone faceoff just 32 seconds in the game. Serge Dube and Jeff Bes were credited with assists on the early marker.
Arizona responded with a pair of power-play goals less than four minutes apart in the second period to take a 2-1 lead heading into the final period.
Cam Keith tied the game at one at 11:14 of the middle frame, pushing a loose puck across the goal line for his sixth of the year. Luke Erickson gathered a Kyle Hood shot-pass below the right circle and attempted a centering feed that caromed off several sticks before coming to rest in the goal crease.
Maxime Renaud capitalized on Arizona's second power play three and a half minutes later to give his club its first lead of the night, pinching from his position at the blue line to knock a Mark Kolanos rink-wide feed past Torrie Jung.
Daniel Koger pulled the Bucks even at two midway through the final frame, dragging a rebound across the slot and past Szuper who was recovering from an initial save on a Jarred Mohr shot from the point.
The Sundogs finished 2-for-7 with the man advantage and held Laredo scoreless on six power play opportunities, including a full two-minute 5-on-3 power play early in the contest.
Arizona has earned five of a possible six points in three contests against the Bucks this season.
The Sundogs (12-13-4) continue a six-game home stand Friday at 7:35pm (Arizona time) against the Bucks (10-14-4) in the team's annual New Year's Eve game. 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.
Pregame celebrations begin at 4:00pm and include a bonfire, live music, inflatable bounces provided by Freedom Station and a food and beverage tent with hot chocolate, cider and s'mores. A fireworks display will close out the celebration at 6:20pm. For more information contact the Arizona Sundogs at (928) 759-6600.
Central Hockey League Stories from December 29, 2010
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- PrairieThunder's Jason Dale Named to the Central Hockey League - Bloomington PrairieThunder
- Joey Sides to Skate in 2011 CHL All-Star Game - Arizona Sundogs
- Robinson Selected to CHL All-Star Team - Wichita Thunder
- CHL All-Star Team Reserves Announced - CHL
- Komets Continue Holiday Home Stand Tonight - Fort Wayne Komets
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