Sports stats



Sundogs Doubled-Up, 4-2, by Menei, Rapid City in Preseason Opener

October 9, 2010 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Arizona Sundogs News Release


PRESCOTT VALLEY, Ariz. - The defending CHL Ray Miron Presidents' Cup Champion Rapid City Rush doubled-up the visiting Arizona Sundogs, 4-2, Saturday night at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center on the strength of a three-goal first period and a pair of markers by forward Ryan Menei.

Menei staked Rapid City to an early 1-0 lead sending a rebound past Sundogs netminder Doug Groenestege 5:37 into the contest. After absorbing a hit from Arizona's Adam Smyth, Menei skated through the slot and backhanded a Chris Chambers rebound for his first point of the preseason.

Less than two minutes later, Jay Birnie converted on his team's first power-play chance of the game to open a two-goal lead after Joey Sides was whistled for hooking. Stationed at the far post, Birnie directed a Colt King centering feed past Groenestege at the 7:13 mark.

Menei's second of the period stretched Rapid City's lead to 3-0 with 2:30 to play in the opening frame as the fifth-year forward lifted a shot over the left shoulder of Groenestege from the right faceoff circle.

Returning Sundogs forward Kevin Jarman ended Jimmy Spratt's shutout bid and cut Rapid City's lead to 3-1 late in the middle frame off an offensive zone faceoff win by Marc-Andre Labelle, firing a low wrist shot five-hole past the Rush goaltender with 1:29 to play in the second.

Arizona carried play and sustained offensive pressure throughout the period, outshooting the Rush 14-5 for a two-period 26-15 shot advantage.

The Sundogs were unable to capitalize on a 1:45 5-on-3 power play early in the second after consecutive boarding and holding penalties to Libor Ustrnul and Corey Laurysen as Spratt made one of his 33 saves on the night, stopping Joel Irving alone on the doorstep early in the two-man advantage.

With teammate King in the penalty box for a five-minute boarding infraction, Derek LeBlanc recorded a shorthanded goal midway through the final frame, regaining a three-goal cushion for the Rush with a near post shot over the right shoulder of Groenestege.

Irving closed out scoring in the contest four-and-a-half minutes later, beating Spratt five-hole near the end of a 48-second two-man advantage to pull Arizona back to within two. Mark Kolanos and Torren Delforte assisted on the game's final score.

Head Coach and General Manager Marco Pietroniro juggled lines throughout the night, using the exhibition contest to evaluate different line combinations.

The Sundogs finished 1-for-6 on the power play while the Rush converted once on three man-advantage opportunities.

Groenestege finished the contest with 23 saves on 27 shots. Arizona outshot Rapid City 35-27 in the game.

With the loss Arizona falls to 4-3-1 all-time in preseason games. The two teams close out their preseason slates tomorrow at 5:05pm (Arizona time) at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center in Rapid City, South Dakota. Listen to the game live on KDDL ‘Cattle Country' 94.3FM, the Official Radio Home of Arizona Sundogs Hockey, and online at www.cattlecountryradio.com.

Arizona opens the 2010-11 regular season on the road against the Colorado Eagles on Friday, Oct. 15 at 6:05pm (Arizona time) and returns home to host the Fort Wayne Komets on Friday, Oct. 22 at 7:05pm. Single game tickets start at just $12 and 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 and the Guest Services kiosk inside Prescott Gateway Mall.

• Discuss this story on the Central Hockey League message board...

Central Hockey League Stories from October 9, 2010


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Arizona Sundogs Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central