Sundogs Fall Short of Odessa in 3-1 Loss
October 18, 2008 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Arizona Sundogs News Release
PRESCOTT VALLEY, Ariz. - The Central Hockey League's Arizona Sundogs and Odessa Jackalopes squared off in the second of a two-game season-opening set on Saturday night at Tim's Toyota Center in Prescott Valley. In a low-scoring affair, Odessa's Collin Circelli tallied two goals to help his club to a 3-1 victory and weekend sweep of the Sundogs. Sundogs veteran forward Joel Irving notched his second goal of the season in the loss.
The first fighting majors were handed out before the two-minute mark of the opening period on Saturday night, proof that frustrations carried over from Friday night's contest. Arizona's Matt Suderman and Odessa's Mario Joly came together at center ice and traded blows, each trying to give their respective clubs a spark. Despite the early tilt, neither team was able to find the back of the net in the first 20 minutes of play with Sundogs goaltender Marco Emond turning away all 13 shots faced and Jackalopes netminder Juha Toivonen blocking Arizona's six shots.
Odessa converted on a 5-on-3 power play five minutes into the second to take a 1-0 lead on the period's lone tally. Circelli found the back of the net for his first goal and fourth point of the young season while rookie forward Jeff Pierce and defenseman Russ Moyer each collected assists on the play. Odessa outshot Arizona 11-9 in the middle frame for a two-period 24-15 advantage.
After opening the third period shorthanded, Arizona went on an early power play and Irving took advantage at the 1:25 mark, firing a rebound through traffic and past Toivonen for his second goal of the season. Team captain and d-man Chris Bartolone tallied the lone helper on the power play marker for his second of the year. The Jackalopes regained a one-goal lead with 16:54 to play in the third as Circelli one-timed a centering pass over the glove of Emond for his second of the game from Jean Borbeau and Mike Lesperance. Odessa pushed the score to 3-1 late in the frame, all but securing their second-straight win over the defending champion Sundogs. While on the penalty kill, Arizona failed to clear their zone and the puck found its way onto Sebastien Thinel's stick between the circles. Thinel turned and fired a low shot that snuck through Emond's pads at the 16:28 mark. Dominic Leveille assisted on the power play marker. Arizona pulled Emond in place of an extra attacker late in the period but the effort fell short.
Emond stopped 26 of 29 shots for Arizona in the loss while Toivonen blocked 26 of 27 for his second-straight win. Despite double-digit chances, both teams struggled with the man advantage with the Sundogs converting on just 1-of-10 chances and Odessa finishing on 2-of-14 opportunities.
With the loss, Arizona falls to 0-2-0 on the season. The Sundogs next take on Southwest Division foe New Mexico on Wednesday, Oct. 22 at Tim's Toyota Center in Prescott Valley. Game time is set for 7:05pm. Tickets are available by phone at 1-866-4-GET-TIX (1-866-443-8849), on the internet at www.gettix.net and in person at the Tim's Toyota Center Box Office.
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Central Hockey League Stories from October 18, 2008
- Sundogs Fall Short of Odessa in 3-1 Loss - Arizona Sundogs
- Jacks Hold On, Win 3-1 - Odessa Jackalopes
- Eagles Sweep Opening Series With Shootouts - Colorado Eagles
- Thunder Downed in Home Opener - Wichita Thunder
- IceRays set records with 12-3 opening night victory - Corpus Christi IceRays
- Brahmas rebound, beat 'Kings in home opener - Fort Worth Brahmas
- Bugs Capture Hard-Fought Win in Laredo - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
- Bucks Hurt By Penalties, Mudbugs In 2-1 Loss - Laredo Bucks
- Gorillas drop home opener to New Mexico - Amarillo Gorillas
- Brahmas Beat RiverKings 4-2 - Mississippi RiverKings
- Wolfe Leads Shutout Victory - New Mexico Scorpions
- Reeder Signs, Will Play Tonight For Colorado - Colorado Eagles
- Rush Lose Season Opener In Shootout - Rapid City Rush
- Bucks Look For Perfect Opening Weekend At LEC Tonight - Laredo Bucks
- Rage Lose Season Opener, 7-1 - Rocky Mountain Rage
- Sundogs Fall on Opening Night 7-2 - Arizona Sundogs
- Jacks Spoil the Party, 7-2 - Odessa Jackalopes
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