Sundogs Complete Weekend Sweep of Expansion Rush
December 28, 2008 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Arizona Sundogs News Release
PRESCOTT VALLEY, Ariz. - The Arizona Sundogs matched a season-high two-game winning streak and completed a weekend sweep of Northwest Division Rapid City Saturday night, topping the expansion Rush 2-1. Karl Sellan collected his third goal in two games and Marco Emond turned aside 33 of 34 shots for his second-straight win.
Neither team found the back of the net in the opening period of play as each goaltender turned aside each shot faced. After stopping all 29 shots faced in a 3-0 shutout victory on Friday, Marco Emond continued his strong play in net for Arizona, stopping eight shots in the first. Rush netminder Miguel Beaudry blocked all seven Sundogs attempts on net to keep the game scoreless after 20 minutes of play.
While on the power play, Sundogs forward Karl Sellan gathered his third goal in two games with just over five minutes to play in the second period to give his club a 1-0 lead heading into the final period of play at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center. Rookie forward Adam Perry extended his scoring streak to four games with an assist on the power play tally. Each team tallied 13 shots in the middle frame.
Arizona stretched its lead to 2-0 five minutes into the third period as Joel Irving recorded his league co-leading 21st goal of the year. Perry again assisted for his second point of the night. Teammate Sellan also shares the league's goal lead with 21 on the year. On his club's sixth man advantage of the night, Rush forward Derek LeBlanc finally found a way to beat Emond, pulling his club to within one with 5:37 to play in regulation. Rob Dmytruk assisted on what would be the game's final goal.
Emond stopped 33 of 34 shots in the win to climb back to .500 at 9-9-1 on the season. In the two games against the Rush, Emond turned aside 62 of 63 shots for a .984 save percentage. Beaudry dropped his second straight with 24 saves on 26 shots. Each team converted on one power play opportunity Saturday night with Arizona finishing 1-for-5 and Rapid City finishing 1-for-7 with the man advantage.
With the win, Arizona improves to 13-17-1 on the year and maintains a two-point cushion over the Corpus Christi IceRays for the Southern Conference's fifth and final playoff spot.
The Sundogs return to Arizona for their third annual New Year's Eve game against the New Mexico Scorpions on Wednesday, Dec. 31. Game time is set for 7:35pm. Tickets 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. The Sundogs will be hosting a post-game skate with the team following the game as part of the night's festivities to celebrate the new year. For more information, please contact the Arizona Sundogs at (928) 772-5555.
Central Hockey League Stories from December 28, 2008
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- Scorpions Sneak Past Jacks with 3-1 Win - Odessa Jackalopes
- Bucks Fall To Rage In OT 3-2 - Laredo Bucks
- Bucks Close Out Road Trip Today - Laredo Bucks
- Sundogs Complete Weekend Sweep of Expansion Rush - Arizona Sundogs
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