Sundogs Come From Behind to Force Overtime, Fall in Shootout
January 9, 2009 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Arizona Sundogs News Release
PRESCOTT VALLEY, Ariz. - The Arizona Sundogs and Odessa Jackalopes faced off in a battle of the Southwest Division's top two clubs Friday night at Tim's Toyota Center in Prescott Valley. Arizona trailed 4-1 early but fought back to force overtime before eventually falling in a shootout for the first time this season. Joel Irving took over the CHL goal scoring lead with his 24th and league-leading 25th of the year. Sebastien Thinel scored the eventual game-winner in the fourth round of the shootout.
The Sundogs struck early on Friday night to open a one-goal lead but Odessa responded with four unanswered to take a 4-1 lead into the first intermission. Recently-named All-Star Game starter Joel Irving netted his 24th goal of the year, moving him into a short-lived two-way tie for league lead with teammate Karl Sellan. Defensive partners Chris Bartolone and Jon Landry combined for assists on the Irving tally just 30 seconds into the contest. The visiting Jackalopes turned their one-goal deficit into a 2-1 advantage following simultaneous holding and unsportsmanlike conduct penalties to Sellan. Kory Karlander pulled his club even at the 7:25 mark from Mike Ramsay and Russ Moyer with his team's first of two power play markers. Karlander returned the favor to Ramsay 1:15 later for Odessa's first lead of the night. Forward Jean Bourbeau's seventh of the season stretched the Jackalopes' lead to 3-1 with 1:40 to play in the period. CHL leading scorer Dominic Leveille added to his point total with his 15th of the season with just six seconds to play in the frame to close out scoring in the first. Despite trailing 4-1, the Sundogs outshot the Jackalopes 9-7 through 20 minutes of play.
Arizona pulled back within one through two periods on goals by Peter Cartwright and Andre Selander in the middle frame. Cartwright was awarded a penalty shot just over two minutes into the period and converted, cutting his club's deficit to two. Skating in, the rookie forward out-maneuvered backup netminder Jeremy Symington before lifting a backhand effort into the top of the net. Starting goaltender Juha Toivonen left the ice prior to the attempt. The Sundogs continued to chip away and cut the Jackalopes' lead to 4-3 with five minutes to play in the middle frame as Selander redirected a Matt Suderman shot from the point past Symington for his fourth of the year. Cory Stillman collected an assist on the play in his first game back since being placed on the 30-day I.R. on December 4. Shots were nearly even after two periods of play, with Odessa holding a slight 19-18 advantage.
Irving pulled his club even at four goals apiece midway through the third period, recording his second of the game and league-leading 25th of the year from linemate Adam Perry, eventually forcing overtime. Landry also assisted on the play for his second helper of the game to close out scoring in regulation.
Neither team found the back of the net in the overtime session. Kyle Hood opened scoring for Arizona in the shootout but was matched by Leveille. Sellan and Pierce both were unable to convert in the second round. Mark Kolanos sent a laser top-shelf over Symington in the third but Mike Ramsay answered for Odessa. Derek Legault and Irving failed to convert on their chances in the fourth and fifth rounds, affording Thinel the game-winning effort.
Emond fell to 6-0-1 in his last seven and 13-9-2 on the year with 25 saves on 29 shots. Toivonen started in net for the Jackalopes, making eight saves on 10 shots before being replaced. Symington earned his second win of the season with 16 saves on 18 shots. The Sundogs were held scoreless on six power play chances while visiting Odessa converted on 2-of-5 man-advantage opportunities.
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