Sellan tallies 2 as Sundogs fall to Gorillas 5-3

Published on February 1, 2008 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Arizona Sundogs News Release


AMARILLO, Texas - The Arizona Sundogs traveled to Texas to take on Southwest Division opponent, the Amarillo Gorillas Friday night at the Amarillo Civic Center. Coming into the game, the Sundogs held a one-point advantage over second place Odessa in the Southwest Division standings. Karl Sellan collected two goals in the contest, but strong goaltending from Dan McWhinney carried the Gorillas to a 5-3 win.

Arizona tallied the game's first goal to open a 1-0 lead early on as Alex Leavitt and Olivier Latendresse skated in 2-on-1. Latendresse collected a pass from Leavitt and fired the puck into the open net for his 20th of the season at 5:17 of the opening frame. Defenseman Chris Bartolone also collected an assist on the play as he bounced the puck off the sideboards to a streaking Leavitt. Amarillo answered back with a powerplay goal just past the midway point of the first as Chris Martini slapped at a loose puck and banged it home for his sixth of the 2007-08 campaign. Keith Rowe and Brett McConnachie were credited with assists on the play. The Gorillas took their first lead of the game seven minutes later on a Marcus Reszka tally from Bill Vandermeer and Austin Sutter. Reszka pushed home a loose rebound, gathering his second goal on the year for the 2-1 opening period lead.

Amarillo doubled up Arizona in the second period to open a 4-2 lead through the first 40 minutes of play. The Sundogs wasted no time pulling even in the middle period as Karl Sellan squeezed the puck between Amarillo netminder Dan McWhinney and the goal post with Olivier Latendresse grabbing his second point of the game with an assist on the play just 36 seconds in. Grant Selinger regained a one-goal lead for his club at the 8:15 mark as he beat the Sundogs defense and slid a backhand shot through Sundogs goaltender Rob McVicar. Chris Lipsett and Vandermeer notched assists on the Selinger tally. With just over three minutes to play in the period, Amarillo opened a two-goal lead as Matt Miller was credited with a goal as the puck crossed the goal line off his skate. Discussion ensued but referee Steve Cruickshank upheld the call. Selinger and Lipsett both collected their second points of the night with helpers on their club's fourth goal.

Arizona cut the Gorillas' lead back to one at 13:16 of the third period as Sellan tallied his second of the game on a deflection from a Bartolone shot from the point. Latendresse grabbed his third point and second assist of the night on the Sellan deflection. The Sundogs pulled McVicar in the closing minutes but Sutter would pick pocket a falling Sundogs player deep in the zone and add an empty net goal to cap a 5-3 victory.

Rob McVicar appeared in net for Arizona for the second consecutive time and blocked 33 of 37 shots in the loss while Dan McWhinney stopped 28 of 31 shots in the win. Arizona was unable to capitalize on two powerplay chances while Amarillo finished 1-for-4 with the man advantage.

Arizona now heads to Odessa for a Saturday night matchup against the Jackalopes. Game time is set for 6:05pm and can be heard live on 96.7 FM The Wolf, the Official Broadcast Home of the Arizona Sundogs.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Central Hockey League Stories from February 1, 2008


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.

OurSports Central