Sundogs Fall to Eagles 4-2

March 3, 2008 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Arizona Sundogs News Release


PRESCOTT VALLEY, Ariz. - The Arizona Sundogs and Colorado Eagles skated in the lone game in the Central Hockey League Monday night at the Budweiser Events Center in Loveland, Colo. The game marked Marco Emond's first return to Colorado since being dealt by the Eagles to the Wichita Thunder on Jan. 29. Arizona ultimately acquired Emond from Wichita in exchange for defenseman Jonathan Bernier on Feb. 8. Arizona trailed the entire game but saw chances to pull even throughout the contest. Despite the opportunities, Arizona fell to the Eagles by a 4-2 margin.

Colorado would strike first Monday night, opening a one-goal lead over the visiting Sundogs. Just past the midway point of the first period, Dave Iannazzo grabbed his 16th of the season beating Emond with a low rebound shot. Steve Haddon took the initial shot blocked by Emond and in turn collected an assist on the play along with Kris Wiebe. The Eagles held a four-shot advantage through the first 20 minutes of play, outshooting the Sundogs by a 13-9 mark. Each team saw just one powerplay in the frame and neither was able to establish themselves with the man advantage.

The Eagles increased their lead to 2-0 on their second powerplay chance of the game as the Sundogs' Adam Wood was sent to the penalty box on a two-minute hooking call. Erik Adams controlled a pass across the blue line from Seth Leonard and fired a shot from the top of the circle that was deflected by Ed McGrane and past Emond for his 30th of the season. Arizona got on the scoreboard at 12:57 of the second period with its sixth shorthanded goal of the season as Alex Leavitt fed a streaking Tyler Liebel while on the penalty kill. Liebel skated in alone on former teammate, goaltender Sebastien Laplante and beat him with a forehand shot to cut the Eagles' lead to one. With less than two minutes to play in the period, Greg Pankewicz collected the Eagles' second goal with the man advantage. The veteran winger gained the offensive zone and slid a backhand shot past Emond, regaining a two-goal lead for his club. Defenseman Brad Williamson assisted on the play for his 38th helper of the year to close out scoring in the middle period.

Arizona received a 5-on-3 powerplay with just over eleven minutes to play in the third as Les Borsheim and Riley Nelson were tagged with interference and roughing calls. The league's top-rated powerplay wasted no time pulling back to within one as Chris Bartolone fired a shot from the point top shelf past Laplante at the 9:15 mark for his 15th of the year. Leavitt was credited with the lone assist on the play for his second point of the game. With 5:01 remaining in regulation, Colorado silenced any hopes of a Sundogs comeback with its third powerplay goal of the game. Aaron Schneekloth snuck a pass through the Sundogs defense that Pankewicz corralled as he entered the zone. He patiently waited for Emond to commit before lifting a shot for his second of the night. Williamson also helped on the play for his second assist of the game.

Marco Emond appeared in net against his former team and stopped 33 of 37 shots in the loss while Sebastien Laplante stopped 27 of 29 for the win. The Eagles held Arizona to just one powerplay goal on six chances while converting on 3-of-6 opportunities en route to the 4-2 win.

Arizona now travels south for a Tuesday night matchup against the Rocky Mountain Rage at the Broomfield Event Center. Game time is set for 7:05pm (Arizona time) and can be heard live on 96.7 FM The Wolf, the Official Broadcast Home of the Arizona Sundogs.



Central Hockey League Stories from March 3, 2008


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