Sundogs Fall 4-3 in Shootout, Grab Vital Point to Move Back into Tie for Final Playoff Spot
Published on March 8, 2009 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Arizona Sundogs News Release
PRESCOTT VALLEY, Ariz. - The Arizona Sundogs lost just their third shootout decision in seven chances, falling 4-3 to the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees Saturday night. Despite the loss, Arizona moves back into a tie with Corpus Christi for the Southern Conference's fifth and final playoff spot.
Arizona skated into the first intermission with a lead Saturday night, something they hadn't done in the three-game set's previous two contests. Matt Hanson and Tyler Liebel each tallied for Arizona in the opening frame to help their club to a 2-0 lead after 20 minutes of play. The two-goal lead would be the biggest lead for Arizona in any of the three contests against Rio Grande Valley. Hanson opened scoring early with a shot from the blue line that found its way through traffic and past Wylie Rogers 2:10 into the game. Liebel made good on the Sundogs' lone power play opportunity of the period, extending his current goal scoring streak to three games with a redirection at the top of the goal crease with 1:27 remaining in the frame. Chris Bartolone took the initial shot and was credited with an assist along with defensive partner Jon Landry. Arizona held the Killer Bees scoreless on four power play chances in the first, including a combined 1:26 of 5-on-3 time.
Rio Grande Valley responded in the second period, knotting the score at two goals apiece with 20 minutes of regulation time remaining in the contest. Aaron Lee's 14th of the year 2:37 into the middle frame cut the Sundogs' lead in half. Just under four minutes later, Nicolas Dumoulin pulled his club even with his 15th of the season from Brian Bicek and Trevor Weisgerber. Despite the two even-strength markers, Arizona's penalty kill continued to shine, keeping the Bees scoreless on two second period man-advantages. Arizona held Rio Grande Valley to seven shots for the second-straight period while forcing eight on Rogers for a 40-minute 17-14 advantage.
After pulling even in the second, the Killer Bees needed six minutes to open the third before taking their first lead of the night. Held scoreless on their first six power play chances, Rio Grande Valley finally solved the Sundogs' penalty kill as Weisgerber notched his second point of the game, beating Emond on passes from Dumoulin and Dan McGoff. Just past the third period's halfway point, Joel Irving tallied his team-leading 32nd of the season for Arizona's second man-advantage tally on four chances. Jason Lawmaster and Dwayne Hay each recorded helpers on the play to force overtime and the eventual shootout session.
The Sundogs entered the five-minute overtime session with 25 seconds remaining on a Jesse Bennefield hooking infraction near the end of the third period but were unable to capitalize.
Falling for the third time in seven shootout contests, Emond turned aside two of four shooters as Bennefield and Evan Rankin converted for their club. Kyle Hood was the only Sundogs player to beat Rogers at the other end of the ice, lifting a backhand effort above the sprawled-out goaltender.
Emond turned aside 18 of 21 shots in the loss while Rogers won his third-straight decision with 30 saves on 33 shots. Arizona finished 2-for-4 with the man-advantage Saturday while holding the Bees to a 1-for-7 performance on the power play.
With five games remaining in the regular season, Arizona (24-30-5) has climbed back into a two-way tie with the Corpus Christi IceRays for the South's final playoff spot. The New Mexico Scorpions remain two points back of both teams.
Arizona closes out its regular season home schedule next week with a Wednesday contest against the Amarillo Gorillas and a Friday night matchup against the Scorpions. Both games are set for 7:05pm. 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 March 8, 2009
- Brahmas clinch southeast division - Fort Worth Brahmas
- Jacks End Kings' Streak with 3-2 Win - Odessa Jackalopes
- IceRays topple Bucks 4-1 - Corpus Christi IceRays
- Jackalopes Stop RiverKings Win Streak - Mississippi RiverKings
- Bucks Fall To Ice Rays 4-1 In Hiebert's Return - Laredo Bucks
- He's Baaack! Hiebert Returns To Bucks - Laredo Bucks
- Sundogs Fall 4-3 in Shootout, Grab Vital Point to Move Back into Tie for Final Playoff Spot - Arizona Sundogs
- Mudbugs Lose Ground vs. Mississippi - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
- Eagles Get Another Close Win Over Rush - Colorado Eagles
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.
