Sundogs Drop Game Three to Scorps, Hold 2-1 Series Lead

April 18, 2007 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Arizona Sundogs News Release


PRESCOTT VALLEY, Ariz. - After opening the series in Rio Rancho, New Mexico and taking a 2-0 series lead, the Arizona Sundogs would host the New Mexico Scorpions for Game 3 at Tim's Toyota Center in Prescott Valley Wednesday night. Home ice would prove to be futile as New Mexico would skate to a 4-2 victory to cut the Sundogs' series lead to 2-1. Arizona would be held scoreless through the final two periods in the loss.

At 4:02 of the first period Cory Stillman would give the Sundogs an early 1-0 lead as he would notch his third shorthanded goal of the post-season on a wrap around attempt on Scorpions netminder Scott Reid. Brent Kelly would collect an assist on the early marker. Midway through the opening frame the Scorpions would tie the game as Konrad Reeder would take a pass from Jamie Herrington and slide the puck past goalie Mike Wall. Rob Guinn would also notch a helper on the equalizer. With just 23 seconds to play in the first the Sundogs would grab their first power play goal of the contest as Chris Bartolone would find a rebound at the bottom of the circle and fire it into the back of the net to regain a one-goal lead. Stillman and Dan Laperriere would assist on the late-period goal.

In the second period New Mexico would grab two tallies to take their first lead of the two-game old series. Their first would come on a questionable power play as Rob Guinn would jam home a loose puck at the 3:03 mark with Ryan MacLeod and Reeder tallying assists. At 16:49 of the middle period the Scorpions would pull ahead 3-2 on a tough angle shot by Mike Prpich from Matt Frick.

In the third the Scorpions would grab their biggest lead of the game as Mike Falk would wrist the puck over the right shoulder of Wall, pushing the score to 4-2. The unassisted tally would come with 5:52 to play in the period. In the final seconds Arizona would pull goaltender Mike Wall off the ice in exchange for an extra attacker but the strategic move would prove ineffective as Prpich's goal would prove to be enough in the 4-2 win.

Mike Wall appeared in his tenth straight post-season game for Arizona deflecting 17 of 21 shots in the loss while Scott Reid stepped in for David Cacciola, who started in the series' previous two games, blocking 25 of 26 shots for the win. The Sundogs continued their struggles on the power play finishing just 1-for-9 with the man advantage while New Mexico converted on 2-of-8 chances.

The two teams face one and other again tomorrow night in Game 4 of the best-of-seven series. With the win Wednesday night the Scorpions force a Game 5 scheduled for Saturday, April 21 at Tim's Toyota Center. Both Thursday's and Saturday's games are slated to start at 7:00pm (Arizona time). Tickets are available for both games by calling 1-866-4-GET-TIX (1-866-443-8849), visiting www.gettix.net or stopping by the Tim's Toyota Center Box Office.



Central Hockey League Stories from April 18, 2007


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