Sundogs Fall 3-1 in Lone Preseason Contest
October 9, 2009 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Arizona Sundogs News Release
PRESCOTT VALLEY, Ariz. - The Arizona Sundogs battled the Colorado Eagles in both club's lone preseason game Friday night at the Budweiser Events Center in Loveland, Colorado. The Eagles used two goals separated by less than a minute in the second period to top the visiting Sundogs 3-1. Returning forward Jason Visser tallied the lone goal for Arizona in the loss.
The Eagles' Dan Welch opened scoring in the game to give his club a 1-0 lead after 20 minutes of play, sending a blast past starting goaltender Kyle McNulty on a pass from Felipe Larranaga at the 6:04 mark. Arizona received the game's first two power play opportunities after Ryan McLeod and Brett Thurston were whistled for interference and cross checking penalties early in the contest but was unable to capitalize. Skating 5-on-4, defenseman Marek Jancek nearly converted for the early lead but found the post. Shots were 14-10 in favor of Colorado in the opening frame.
Colorado stretched its lead to 3-0 before Visser converted on an uncontested breakaway with just over three minutes to play in the middle period for Arizona's lone tally of the night. Former Eagle Brett Hammond assisted on the play as Visser beat backup netminder Doug Raeder five-hole with his club on an extended power play following Jay Birnie fighting and instigator penalties. Each club switched goaltenders midway through the period and the Eagles quickly took advantage, beating J.F. Perras twice in a 59-second span. Ed McGrane gave Colorado a two-goal cushion, lifting a backhand shot under the crossbar past the right shoulder of Perras before Larranaga netted his second point of the game less than a minute later with an unassisted shorthanded marker. Cedric Bernier and Alex Penner came together six minutes into the period, exchanging blows before going to the ice. The Eagles again outshot the visiting Sundogs, 16-12, for a two-period 30-22 advantage.
Neither team found the back of the net in the final period but over 130 minutes in penalties were dealt out between the two clubs. Bernier and Penner squared off for the second time early in the third, but Bernier in addition to the fighting major earned a five-minute cross checking major and slashing minor. With 3:51 to play, players from each team paired off with one another in a near line brawl as Kim Karsberg and Brett Thurston initiated the altercation near the Sundogs' bench. Sundogs players whistled for fighting in the scuffle included Andrew Derton, Jason Beeman, Jancek and Karsberg while Shane Foster, Birnie and Thurston were sent off for Colorado.
McNulty started in net for Arizona and stopped 19 of 20 shots before being replaced by Perras midway through the second period. Perras allowed two goals on 24 shots in the loss. Mike Mole was perfect while in goal for Colorado turning aside all 18 shots faced while Raeder allowed one goal on 11 shots faced in the second half of the contest. The Sundogs finished 1-for-10 with the man advantage while the Eagles were held scoreless on ten power play opportunities. Colorado outshot Arizona 44-29 in the game.
Veteran defenseman and assistant coach Chris Bartolone, forwards Konrad Reeder, Rob Lehtinen, Kyle Hood and Matt Foy and goaltender Sergey Klimkovich were held out of the exhibition contest.
The Sundogs open the 2009-10 regular season at home at Tim's Toyota Center next Friday, Oct. 16 at 7:05pm (Arizona time) against the expansion Allen Americans as they host the first 'Red Out' of the year. Single game tickets are on sale now and start as low as $14. For more information call (928) 772-5555 or visit www.arizonasundogs.com.
Central Hockey League Stories from October 9, 2009
- Sundogs Fall 3-1 in Lone Preseason Contest - Arizona Sundogs
- Thunder Pushes Over Mavericks - Wichita Thunder
- Mudbugs Add Two to Camp Roster, Will Host 'Kings Tomorrow - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
- Mudbugs Fall to Mississippi in Preseason Opener - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
- Mavericks Lose to Thunder 3-0 in First Pre-Season Game - Kansas City Mavericks
- RiverKings Bounce Mudbugs in Exhibition Action - Mississippi RiverKings
- Bucks Fall In Front Of Record Preseason Crowd - Laredo Bucks
- RiverKings on WHBQ-AM, No INSINC Coverage Tonight - Mississippi RiverKings
- 'Bugs Renew Radio Partnership with GAP Broadcasting - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
- Jacks Trim Training Camp Roster to 24 - Odessa Jackalopes
- Rush To Host Gorillas In Pair Of Preseason Games This Weekend - Rapid City Rush
- Colorado Eagles Coach's Show Returns to Lucky Joe's - Colorado Eagles
- Americans release six, 21 remain on roster - Allen Americans
- Press Conference Monday, Gorillas at Boys Ranch Wednesday - Amarillo Gorillas
- Comeback Not Enough - Tulsa Oilers
- Americans fight hard in first preseason game, lose 4-3 to Brahmas - Allen Americans
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.
