Sundogs Fall to Laredo 2-1, Five-Game Win Streak Snapped

December 28, 2007 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Arizona Sundogs News Release


PRESCOTT VALLEY, Ariz. - Tim's Toyota Center in Prescott Valley saw two of the Central Hockey League's best face off Friday night in the Arizona Sundogs and Laredo Bucks. The two Southern Conference clubs had a combined 39-13-3 record heading into Friday night's contest. Laredo would use goals in the first and second period to top the Sundogs 2-1, halting Arizona's five-game winning streak. The loss dropped the Sundogs to 10-2-0 at home, ending a seven-game home win streak dating back to Nov. 3.

Both Arizona and Laredo opened the first period with steady play, cautious of the other team's talent. Unable to tally in the first meeting of the season between the two clubs, Laredo would took a 1-0 lead at 9:37 of the first as Andrew Desjardins kept control of the puck despite pressure from the Sundogs defense and slapped a puck beneath the legs of netminder Bill Zaniboni. Forwards Jeff Bes and James Hiebert collected assists on the Desjardins marker. Arizona held a 10-9 advantage in shots through the first 20 minutes of play.

While skating four-on-four, the visiting Bucks opened a 2-0 lead as Hiebert collected his first goal and second point of the night at the 6:03 mark. Hiebert took a pass from Alex Penner and gathered his own rebound, converting on his second chance in front of the net. Serge Dube was also credited with an assist on the play. Laredo outshot Arizona in the period by a 17-7 mark for a two-period 26-17 advantage.

One minute into the third period and down 2-0, Kevin Cormier tried to gather some momentum for his club trading punches with Laredo's David Victor. With 15:46 to play in the third, referee Travis Smith credited Laredo with their third goal but after discussion with the goal judge, reversed his call. Following the no goal, Arizona gained momentum and started to pressure the Laredo club. With just over half of regulation remaining, Karl Sellan lifted the puck past Laredo netminder Dustin Traylen for Arizona's first tally of the game. Defenseman David Schlemko gained the zone and forced Traylen to commit before feeding Sellan on the far post. Down 2-1 in the closing minutes, Arizona pulled Zaniboni in favor of an extra offensive skater but the effort would fall short.

Bill Zaniboni stopped 33 of 35 shots in the loss while Laredo's Dustin Traylen blocked 30 of 31 for the win. Both teams were held scoreless on four powerplay chances each. At the end of regulation, the Bucks held a 35-31 advantage in shots. The two teams square off again tomorrow at Tim's Toyota Center at 7:05pm. Tickets are available by phone at 1-866-4-GET-TIX (1-866-443-8849), on the internet at www.gettix.net or in person at the Tim's Toyota Center Box Office.



Central Hockey League Stories from December 28, 2007


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