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Sundogs Fall to Laredo 6-5 in Shootout

December 29, 2007 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Arizona Sundogs News Release


PRESCOTT VALLEY, Ariz. - The Arizona Sundogs and Laredo Bucks squared off in the second game of their weekend series Saturday night at Tim's Toyota Center in Prescott Valley. Arizona owned two separate two-goal leads Saturday night but was unable to hold on, falling 6-5 in a shootout to the Southern Conference-leading Bucks. With the shootout loss, Arizona falls to 19-7-2 on the season but maintains a two point advantage over second place Odessa.

It took Arizona just 1:13 of play Saturday night to double their offensive output from Friday night's game, gathering an early 2-0 lead. Defenseman Dan Laperriere tallied his club's first goal just 33 seconds in on a slapshot from the point. Alex Leavitt helped on the play for his 29th assist on the season. CHL rookie leading scorer Mark Kolanos pushed the score to 2-0 40 seconds later as he took a Jeff Winchester pass and found the back of the net past Bucks netminder Kevin Beech. Laredo answered back at 3:38 of the opening frame, cutting the Sundogs' lead back to one. James Hiebert was credited with the goal for his third point of the weekend as it was deflected in front and found its way past goaltender Andrew Gallant. Andrew Desjardins and David Walker were credited with assists on the play. While on the powerplay and with just one second remaining in the period, Adam Rivet tallied his eighth goal of the year to tie the game at 2-2. Jeff Bes and Hiebert notched assists on the late powerplay marker.

The Sundogs regained a one-goal lead 3:32 into the second period as Alex Leavitt collected an unassisted goal, skating in from the far sideboards and wristing a shot past Beech for his 16th goal of the year. Just shy of the midway point, Laredo pulled even for the second time on their second tally with the man advantage. Following an Olivier Latendresse slashing minor, Rivet pushed home a rebound for his and second of the night. Hiebert assisted on the play for his third point of the game. At the 10:17 mark, Latendresse recovered from his penalty to give his club a 4-3 lead. Rob Lehtinen put a tough angle shot on net and Beech was unable to control the rebound allowing Latendresse to slip the puck through for the go-ahead goal. After allowing four goals on 20 shots, Laredo coach Terry Ruskowski replaced Beech with Dustin Traylen. With 6:29

to play, Karl Sellan found the back of the net but referee Travis Smith waived it off as the net was knocked off its pegs. Despite the call, the Sundogs tallied 41 seconds later for their first two-goal lead since the opening 1:13 of play. Karl Sellan tipped a Chris Bartolone shot from the point, grabbing his ninth of the year for Arizona's first powerplay goal in ten chances. Laperriere collected his second point of the game with an assist on the play. With less than two minutes to play, Laredo notched its third goal on the powerplay as Bes collected his 17th of the year from Hiebert and Desjardins.

Laredo pulled even for the third time 43 seconds into the final period as Bes took a pass from Dube and lifted the puck past Gallant for his club's fourth goal with the man advantage. Finishing the final 19 minutes of play tied at five goals apiece, the two teams forced an overtime session but neither was able to score.

In the shootout, David Schlemko would score for Arizona, but Bes, Rane Carnegie and Hiebert would convert for Laredo, sealing the 6-5 win.

Andrew Gallant made 35 saves on 40 shots in the loss and falls to 12-3-1 on the year. Kevin Beech started in net for Laredo but was pulled after allowing four goals on 20 shots. Dustin Traylen replaced Beech and made nine saves on ten shots for the win. The Sundogs' powerplay struggled, converting on just one of seven chances. Laredo converted on four of nine chances with the man advantage en route to the 6-5 victory.

Arizona must now prepare to take on Southwest Division foe the New Mexico Scorpions on New Year's Eve at Tim's Toyota Center. Game time is set for 7:35pm. 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.



Central Hockey League Stories from December 29, 2007


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