Sundogs Advance to Conference Finals with 4-3 Win
April 7, 2008 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Arizona Sundogs News Release
PRESCOTT VALLEY, Ariz. - Holding a 3-2 series lead and looking to advance to the Southern Conference Finals for the first time in their two-year franchise history, the Arizona Sundogs battled the New Mexico Scorpions in Game 6 of their best-of-7 series Monday night at Tim's Toyota Center in Prescott Valley. Arizona trailed in the game until midway until through the second period when Cory Urquhart scored for the 16th consecutive game dating back to the regular season to give his club a 3-2 lead. Alex Leavitt collected two assists in the game to extend his scoring streak to 23-straight games dating back to the 2007-08 campaign. With the win, Arizona tops the Scorpions in six games and advances to the conference finals against the Southeast Division Champion Laredo Bucks.
Both teams came out and skated hard in the opening 20 minutes Monday night, providing the type of play that is evident in playoff elimination games. New Mexico opened a 1-0 lead 4:45 into the game, taking advantage of a Sundogs turnover in their own zone. Erik Johnson disrupted a breakout attempt and fed a centering pass to Mitch Stephens who lifted a wrist shot over goaltender Rob McVicar for his third goal of the postseason. Arizona answered back 18 seconds later as Steve Rymsha saw an unprotected net after a Mark Kolanos shot deflected off a Scorpions defenseman and onto his stick. Rymsha pushed the puck home for his second goal and third point of the series. First-year forward Dusty Collins was also credited with an assist on the play to close out scoring in the first period. New Mexico held a 13-9 advantage in shots through the first period.
The Scorpions used a quick tally in the second period to regain a one-goal lead. Forward Kevin Harvey redirected a Ross McCain pass under the right pad of McVicar just 72 seconds into the middle frame. Amateur Kyle Hood pulled his club even at 2-2 with his third goal as a professional at the 7:57 mark. Karl Sellan gained the zone and put a shot on net that goaltender Mike Minard was unable to corral. Hood jumped on the chance and slid the loose puck through Minard's legs. Jamie Visser also helped on the play for his first point of the postseason. Just under four minutes later, Cory Urquhart extended his goal scoring streak to 16 games dating back to the regular season, collecting passes from linemates Jason Visser and Alex Leavitt before skating end-to-end and splitting the New Mexico defense with nifty stick handling. With the assist, Leavitt extended his point streak to 23 consecutive games dating back to the regular season. The Urquhart tally would be the Sundogs' first lead of the game.
New Mexico pulled even at three goals apiece with a Ray Ortiz shorthanded tally Christopher Robertson at 8:46 of the third period. Arizona though regained a one-goal lead that it would never relinquish. On his club's fourth power play chance of the night, veteran defenseman Chris Bartolone sent a shot on net from inside the blue line that Jason Visser redirected past Minard and into the net for his second point and first goal of the game. Leavitt also collected his second point of the game with an assist on the power play marker at 13:49 of the third.
Rob McVicar appeared in net for Arizona and stopped 30 of 33 shots for his tenth-straight victory dating back to the regular season. Mike Minard was between the pipes for New Mexico and blocked 28 of 32 shots in the loss. The Sundogs finished 1-for-4 with the man advantage and held New Mexico scoreless on its lone power play opportunity.
Arizona redeems itself after a Game 7 loss to New Mexico in the Southern Conference Semifinals during the 2007 CHL Playoffs and advances to the conference finals for the first time in its two-year franchise history. Game 1 of the conference finals against the Laredo Bucks is scheduled for Monday, April 14 in Laredo, Texas. Game time is set for 5:05pm (Arizona time). It has yet to be determined if the game will be broadcast live or via tape delay on 96.7 FM The Wolf, the Official Broadcast Home of the Arizona Sundogs.
Arizona's home dates for the series are set for Friday, April 18 (Game 3), Saturday, April 19 (Game 4), and Monday, April 21 (Game 5 - if necessary). Tickets for all three games will go on sale on Wednesday, April 9 beginning at 10:00am and will be 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.
Central Hockey League Stories from April 7, 2008
- Sundogs Advance to Conference Finals with 4-3 Win - Arizona Sundogs
- Scorpions Season Comes To A Close - New Mexico Scorpions
- Arizona and Laredo Meet in Southern Conference Finals - CHL
- Eagles Playoff Week In Review - Colorado Eagles
- Join Us Thursday For A Year End Salute! - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
- Brahmas Northern Conference Playoff Schedule Set - Fort Worth Brahmas
- Eagles Add Amateur Player To Playoff Roster - Colorado Eagles
- SteelHounds Weekly - Youngstown SteelHounds
- Game One Of Conference Finals Moved To Friday - Colorado Eagles
- Northern Conference Finals Set â Begin On Friday - CHL
- Leavitt To Be Presented With Joe Burton Scoring Title Award Before Game 6 - Arizona Sundogs
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