Sundogs Battle Thunder in Tight, 4-3 Overtime Loss
March 28, 2013 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Arizona Sundogs News Release
Prescott Valley, AZ - The Arizona Sundogs battled the Wichita Thunder, Thursday night in a tight, 4-3 overtime loss at the Intrust Bank Arena. This was the first game between the two clubs in the opening round of the 2013 Central Hockey League Playoffs.
Emotions were heavy picking up where they left off, during their last match-up in Arizona. Adam Russo was caught off guard, when Wichita's Matt Summers scored 5:38 into the first period with a backhander goal from the center. The Sundogs received a 3-on-5 power play for 55 seconds after Greger Hanson was called for interference and RG Flath was called for cross checking.
Wichita held on to their two goal lead over the Sundogs in the second period after Matt Hanson registered a shorthanded goal 24 seconds into the middle frame with a feed from Andrew Martens. Minutes later Mario Larocque tallied the Sundogs' first goal with assists credited to Jeff Kyrzakos and Matt McCready. Les Reaney let off a wrister on Russo's blocker side 8:40 into the second period posting Wichita's third goal.
A goal from McCready late in the third period tied the game and forced it into overtime. Chad Nehring also registered a third period goal with assist from Kirill Tulupov, 4:33 into the final frame. Matt Robinson scored the game winning goal for Wichita when he chipped the puck passed Russo's right side.
Russo took the loss for the Sundogs making 24 saves. Arizona was outshot by Wichita 28-26. Sundogs were 0-5 on the power play and Thunder was 0-3 on the power play. Both teams meet again on Saturday, March 30th at the Intrust Bank Arena, as they fight for the best, four of seven games.
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