Sundogs Earn Point in 3-2 Overtime Loss to Rush

December 21, 2010 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Arizona Sundogs News Release


RAPID CITY, S.D. - The Arizona Sundogs had a two-game road winning streak snapped and dropped their third straight contest to the Rapid City Rush Tuesday night, earning a point in a 3-2 overtime loss to the defending Central Hockey League Champions in the fourth straight meeting between the two clubs in a seven-day span.

Rapid City tallied each of its goals on the power play, finishing 3-for-8 with the man advantage. Unhappy with the timing of referee Dan Dreger's calls, assistant coach Chris Bartolone was given an Abuse of Officials Misconduct at the end of the game.

Ryan Menei tallied a pair of goals in the win, including the game-winner 56 seconds into the extra frame after Luke Erickson was whistled for tripping 35 seconds into the overtime session.

Despite the loss, Arizona is 7-2-1 in its last 10 games away from Tim's Toyota Center.

Joey Sides extended his point streak with his fifth point in four games, tying the game at two with 5:59 to play in the contest. Entering the offensive zone, Sides took a Luke Erickson pass from the far boards and snapped a shot past Danny Battochio from the slot.

The Sundogs got in penalty trouble midway through the second period as Maxime Renaud and Hood were whistled for a trio of penalties in a three-minute span, leading to a pair of Rapid City power-play markers.

With his team on a two-man advantage, Menei picked up his first of two goals on the night to tie the game at one at the second period's 13:20 mark. Stationed below the near circle, Menei sent a centering feed through the slot but the attempt found the skate of Sundogs defenseman Tyler Butler and trickled past goaltender Levente Szuper.

Grant Farrell collected his team's second man advantage tally 1:29 later to give the Rush a 2-1 lead with 5:11 remaining in the middle frame, firing a slap shot over Szuper from the top of the left circle.

Hood staked Arizona to an early 1-0 lead 6:41 into the contest with his team's sixth shorthanded goal of the season. With defenseman Jim Driscoll in the penalty box for hooking, Hood collected the puck at center ice and skated in alone on Danny Battochio, lifting a backhand effort over the netminder's right leg pad.

Prior to game Sundogs Head Coach and General Manager Marco Pietroniro activated forward Cam Keith from the 10-day I.R. and waived rookie Donald Maloney, Jr. Maloney appeared in three games with Arizona, finishing with a minus-2 rating.

The Sundogs were held scoreless on six power play chances and are now 1-for-24 with the man advantage in the last five games.

Arizona (11-12-4) moves into a two-way tie for seventh place in the Berry Conference with the Odessa Jackalopes and sits just one point back of fifth place and three points back of third place.

The Sundogs battle the Colorado Eagles (13-8-2) tomorrow at 7:05pm (Arizona time). Listen to the game live on www.cattlecountryradio.com and on KDDL 'Cattle Country' 94.3FM, the Official Radio Home of Arizona Sundogs Hockey.



Central Hockey League Stories from December 21, 2010


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