Sundogs Fall 5-3 to Rage in Rematch

December 12, 2008 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Arizona Sundogs News Release


BROOMFIELD, Colo. - With two games remaining in their two-week, seven-game road trip, the Arizona Sundogs battled the Rocky Mountain Rage on Friday night at the Broomfield Event Center, two-nights after topping the Rage 5-4 in a shootout. Arizona matched Rocky Mountain with three goals in the second period but the Rage found the back of the net once in the first and third periods en route to the 5-3 win. Arizona looks to conclude its season-long road trip tomorrow night as they take on the Colorado Eagles at the Budweiser Events Center.

Rocky Mountain didn't register their first goal until the first period's 10-minute mark in Wednesday's loss but needed only 65 seconds to tally their first goal Friday night. Rookie forward Nathan O'Nabigon broke free behind the Sundogs defense after collecting a pass from Sim Watson. Skating in 1-on-0, O'Nabigon recorded fourth goal of the year to give his club an early 1-0 lead. The Sundogs outshot the Rage 11-7 in the first period despite trailing at the end of 20 minutes of play.

The second period would be paced by back-and-forth action as the two teams combined for six goals in the middle frame. While on a 5-on-4 power play after a Kyle Hood high sticking penalty, the Rage once again converted early to take a two-goal lead. Settling a Brent Cullaton rebound low on the far post, Daymen Rycroft lifted a forehand shot over a sprawled-out Marco Emond for his fifth man advantage goal of the season. Aaron Davis also picked up an assist on the play. Arizona responded with goals separated by just 44 seconds to pull even at 2-2. The Sundogs cut Rocky Mountain's lead to one with a power play advantage of its own at the 6:36 mark as Martin Gascon sent a shot from the point that found its way pat netminder Scott Reid. Mark Kolanos extended his point streak to eight games with an assist on the power play tally along with A.J. MacLean. Less than a minute later Kyle Hood pulled his club even with a low one-time shot past the outstretched leg of Reid. Collecting a pass from Tyler Liebel at the blue line, Joel Irving gained the offensive zone before finding Hood between the top of the circles. The Rage regained a one-goal lead less than two minutes later as Colt King banged home a rebound from the top of the goal crease. Davis notched his second assist of the period, helping on the play along with Jarred Mohr. For the second time in the period, the Sundogs tied the game as Karl Sellan netted his 15th of the year from Irving and rookie forward Peter Cartwright just past the frame's halfway point. Continuing the trend in the second, Rocky Mountain answered to take back a one-goal cushion heading into the third period with its second power play goal of the game with 4:28 to play. Cullaton collected his second point of the night, converting on Kai Magnussen and Tyler Butler setup passes. The Rage outshot the visiting Sundogs 21-7 in the second for a two-period 28-18 advantage.

Rocky Mountain would match its biggest lead of the game, tallying the third period's lone goal to take a 5-3 lead. Rycroft notched his second of the game skating in from the neutral zone and beating Emond with a low wrist shot, glove side at the 7:26 mark. Magnussen recorded his second assist of the contest along with defenseman Chris Brannen to close out the night's scoring.

Emond appeared in net for the third consecutive game, stopping 30 of 35 shots in the loss while Rage goaltender Scott Reid earned the win, turning aside 24 of 27 shots. Arizona finished 1-for-7 on the power play while Rocky Mountain finished 2-for-6 with the man advantage. With the loss, the Sundogs fall to 10-14-1 on the year and maintain their hold on second place in the CHL's Southwest Division.



Central Hockey League Stories from December 12, 2008


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