Sundogs Drop Game 2 to Laredo 3-1, Series Tied 1-1
Published on April 15, 2008 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Arizona Sundogs News Release
PRESCOTT VALLEY, Ariz. - The Arizona Sundogs and Laredo Bucks squared off in Game 2 of their best-of-7 Southern Conference Finals series Tuesday night at the Laredo Entertainment Center in Laredo, Texas. Arizona topped the Bucks 6-4 Monday night to take a 1-0 lead in the series. Cory Urquhart found the back of the net for the eighth-straight game this postseason, tying the all-time CHL record for consecutive games with a goal. Alex Leavitt assisted on the play to extend his point streak to 25 games dating back to the regular season but the lone marker would fall short as Laredo topped Arizona 3-1.
Despite strong pressure and puck control by Arizona early on, Laredo would tally the game's first goal to take a 1-0 lead just past the first period's midway point. Steve Simoes collected passes from Igor Agarunov and Andrew Desjardins at the 11:18 mark before beating Sundogs netminder Marco Emond for his first goal and point of the postseason. The Bucks went up by a pair of goals less than two minutes later with their first power play goal of the game after a Chris Bartolone tripping penalty. Chris Korchinski netted his fourth of the playoffs from Paul Elliott and Desjardins at 13:05 of the opening frame. Laredo outshot the Sundogs 19-14 in the period and held the Arizona power play scoreless on three chances.
Arizona cut Laredo's lead to one with its first power play goal of the night 5:46 into the middle period. Alex Leavitt gathered a pass from linemate Jason Visser below the goal line fed an open Cory Urquhart between the circles. Urquhart fired his league-leading 11th marker of the postseason past Bucks goaltender John Ceci for the second period's lone goal. Shots were down from the opening 20 minutes of play, with Arizona holding an 8-6 advantage in the middle frame, cutting Laredo's cushion to 25-22 after two periods.
Laredo regained a two-goal lead with 13 minutes to play in the third period as James Hiebert gathered a pass from Jeff Bes and lifted a shot over Emond's glove for his fifth goal of the playoffs and second of the series. In celebration, Hiebert threw his stick into the crowd and was sent to the penalty box with a 10-minute misconduct. After the goal, the Bucks played a more defensive style of play, shutting down the Sundogs' offense as the third period came to a close.
Marco Emond appeared in net for Arizona for the second consecutive game, stopping 33 of 36 shots in the loss. John Ceci got the start in Game 2 for Laredo and blocked 30 of 31 shots to improve to 2-0 in the postseason. Both teams were able to convert on just one power play opportunity Tuesday night as Arizona finished 1-for-10 with the man advantage while Laredo converted on one of seven chances.
The Southern Conference Finals series shifts back to Arizona for Games 3, 4 and 5 (if necessary) with the best-of-7 set tied at one game apiece. Game 3 is scheduled for Friday, April 18 at 7:05pm at Tim's Toyota Center in Prescott Valley. Tickets start at just $14 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.
Central Hockey League Stories from April 15, 2008
- Bucks, Lakeside Pharmacy Unveil Hiebert Action Figure - Laredo Bucks
- Ceci Leads Bucks To 3-1 Win: Series Tied 1-1 - Laredo Bucks
- Sundogs Drop Game 2 to Laredo 3-1, Series Tied 1-1 - Arizona Sundogs
- Local Businesses Rush For Rapid City Rush - Rapid City Rush
- Hurricanes' Metsola Named ADT CHL Goaltender Of The Week - CHL
- Ryan White Of The Calgary Hitmen Named CHL Player Of The Week - CHL
- Urquhart Sets New High In All Of Professional Hockey With 17-Game Goal Scoring Streak - Arizona Sundogs
- Bucks Host Sundogs In Crucial Game Two Tonight: $5 Tickets Available - Laredo Bucks
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