Sundogs Eliminated from Postseason, Fall 7-1 in Regular Season Finale
March 21, 2009 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Arizona Sundogs News Release
RIO RANCHO, N.M. - Eliminated from postseason play with a Corpus Christi IceRays shootout win over the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs earlier in the evening, the Arizona Sundogs closed out their regular season Saturday night, falling 7-1 to the New Mexico Scorpions at the Santa Ana Star Center in Rio Rancho.
Looking to spoil Arizona's playoff hopes, New Mexico took an early 1-0 lead, converting on its first power play opportunity of the contest as Chris Robertson netted his 32nd of the year seven minutes into the contest. Stationed at the top of the goal crease, Robertson redirected a Seth Leonard centering feed past Joel Gistedt. Adam Perry responded with his 23rd of the season less than two minutes later to pull Arizona even at 1-1. Scorpions netminder Kyle McNulty was unable to find a loose puck following a Chris Bartolone shot from the top of the circles, allowing Perry several chances at the rebound. The Scorpions reclaimed a one-goal lead with 4:14 to play in the opening period, skating in 2-on-1 following a Joel Irving shot that missed the net. Gistedt made the initial save on Jordan Foote but the first-year forward made good on his second effort, slapping the puck past the Arizona goaltender to give his club a 2-1 lead after 20 minutes of play. Despite trailing 2-1, the Sundogs outshot New Mexico 21-9 in the opening frame.
The Scorpions stretched their lead to 4-1 after 40 minutes of play with goals by Torren Delforte and Robertson to open and close the second period. Delforte collected his 23rd of the year just 1:13 into the period to give New Mexico a two-goal cushion, firing a wrist shot past Gistedt from the between the circles. Robertson gathered his second goal and third point of the game with 2:04 to play in the frame, lifting a backhand shot under the crossbar from the far post. Delforte and Michael Beynon each recorded their second points of the contests with assists on the play. Arizona again outshot the Scorpions in the period, this time by a 16-8 mark.
Evident of the rivalry established between the two clubs dating back to the 2006-07 season, tempers flared early in the third period as Adam Knight drove Jon Landry into the boards in a defenseless position. Twenty-six minutes in penalties were handed out among the two clubs, including a 10-minute game misconduct to Knight. The Scorpions opened a five-goal lead with five minutes remaining in the contest on shorthanded goals by Leonard and Robertson separated by just 42 seconds. New Mexico then gathered its second power play goal of the night to take a 7-1 lead into the final two minutes as Jamie Herrington closed out scoring with his 14th of the year from Aaron MacInnis and Adam Blanchette.
Gistedt turned aside 27 of 34 shots in the season's final contest while McNulty allowed one goal on 55 shots to earn his 11th win of the year. The Sundogs were held scoreless on five man-advantage opportunities while New Mexico converted on two of six power play chances.
Central Hockey League Stories from March 21, 2009
- Playoff Schedule Released, RiverKings Meet OKC - Mississippi RiverKings
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- Scorpions Trick and Save Way to Victory in Season Finale - New Mexico Scorpions
- Mudbugs to Open Playoffs vs. Rage - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
- IceRays Edge 'Bugs in a Shootout - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
- Jacks Lose Physical Battle with Bucks, 5-2 - Odessa Jackalopes
- Frenetic 8-7 loss ends Gorillas 2008-09 campaign - Amarillo Gorillas
- Ray Miron President's Cup Participants Finalized - CHL
- Sundogs Eliminated from Postseason, Fall 7-1 in Regular Season Finale - Arizona Sundogs
- IceRays clinch playoff spot, tickets on sale now - Corpus Christi IceRays
- Bucks Beat Up On âJacks In 5-2 Win - Laredo Bucks
- IceRays clinch playoff spot in thrilling 3-2 SO win - Corpus Christi IceRays
- Thunder's Season Ends in Loss to Blazers - Wichita Thunder
- RiverKings Win Season Finale, Ready For Playoffs - Mississippi RiverKings
- Rage Lose Butler for the Season - Rocky Mountain Rage
- Bucks Finish Regular Season With Playoff Preview - Laredo Bucks
- Controversial End To Scorpions Loss - New Mexico Scorpions
- Sundogs' Playoff Hopes Still Alive - Arizona Sundogs
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