Sundogs Continue Defensive Effort, Top Mudbugs 3-1 for Fourth-Straight Win

January 3, 2009 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Arizona Sundogs News Release


PRESCOTT VALLEY, Ariz. - The Arizona Sundogs faced off against the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs for the first time in franchise history Saturday night at the CenturyTel Center in Bossier City, Louisiana. Marco Emond and his club continued their more-defensive style of play as the netminder held the Northern Conference power to just one goal for his and his club's fourth-straight win. With 28 saves on the night, Emond has allowed just three goals on 135 shots through four games for a .978 save percentage.

Working to continue the strong play established in the least three games, Arizona outshot the home club 13-9 through the opening 20 minutes of play Saturday night. Each team received one man advantage opportunity in the first period but each goaltender stood tall to keep the game scoreless at the end of one period.

The Mudbugs responded in the middle frame, out-chancing the visiting Sundogs 11-7 in the period to pull even at 20 shots apiece through 40 minutes of play. Both Emond and Ken Carroll continued to steer aside each shot faced as both teams skated to a scoreless tie heading into the second intermission.

After battling to a scoreless tie through 40 minutes, the two teams combined for three goals in a ten-minute span in the third period. Arizona tallied two markers in the first six minutes to take a 2-0 lead as linemates Adam Perry and Rob Lehtinen both found the back of the net early on. The rookie Perry converted on a rebound chance for his 12th of the year, extending his current scoring streak to six games to give his club a 1-0 lead 1:28 into the period. Defenseman Jon Landry took the initial shot on net and was credited with an assist on the play. Lehtinen stretched the Sundogs' lead to 2-0 four-and-a-half minutes later with his second goal in as many games from Mark Kolanos and Derek Legault. Mudbugs forward Joe Blaznek cut Arizona's lead back to one with his 11th of the season from Travis Clayton and Dale Lupul with exactly 10 minutes to play in regulation. With less than a minute to play, Carroll was pulled in favor of an extra attacker but recently-announced All-Star Game starter Joel Irving notched his 22nd of the season with an unassisted empty net effort with 36 seconds to play.

Emond improved to 11-9-1 on the season with 28 saves on 29 shots for his fourth-straight win while Carroll stopped 28 of 30 shots in the loss. Neither club found the back of the net with the man advantage Saturday night as Arizona was held scoreless on five opportunities and Bossier-Shreveport was held off the score sheet on four power play chances.

With the win, Arizona inches closer to .500 and improves to 15-17-1 on the year. The Sundogs continue their three-game road trip tomorrow afternoon against the Oklahoma City Blazers at 3:10pm (Arizona time). The game can be heard live on 96.7 FM The Wolf, the Official Broadcast Home of the Arizona Sundogs.



Central Hockey League Stories from January 3, 2009


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