Sundogs' Five-Game Road Win Streak, 13 One-Goal Games Streak Snapped In 4-1 Loss

February 24, 2010 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Arizona Sundogs News Release


PRESCOTT VALLEY, Ariz. - Konrad Reeder's team-leading 22nd goal of the year cushioned the Arizona Sundogs to an early 1-0 lead but the Rapid City Rush netted four unanswered en route to a 4-1 win Wednesday night at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Arena snapping the Sundogs' five-game road win streak and the team's stretch of 13 consecutive one-goal games.

Doug Groenestege made 34 saves on 38 shots in his seventh straight start for the Sundogs while Danny Battochio turned aside 28 of 29 shots in the win.

Arizona was held scoreless on six power-play chances including a two-minute 5-on-3 opportunity early in the second period. Rapid City finished 1-for-6 with the man-advantage.

Reeder opened scoring 3:22 into the contest with an unassisted marker, striding down the near boards and toe-dragging the puck around a Rush defenseman before cutting in across the goal crease and slipping the puck five-hole through Battochio.

Brendon Hodge evened the score at one with the first of four straight Rush tallies at 13:49 of the first on a second-chance shot from the near circle, lifting a snap shot over the left shoulder of Groenestege.

Jason Visser had an opportunity to stretch the Sundogs' lead to two on a Rapid City turnover with 11:45 to play in the opening frame as Reeder found Visser alone in the slot but Battochio denied the scoring chance.

The Sundogs received a full two-minute 5-on-3 power play early in the second period after Dave Grimson and Luke Fritshaw hooking and roughing penalties but the Rush killed off the two-man advantage and capitalized 29 seconds later on Rod Aldoff's first of the year at the 4:52 mark.

Groenestege made the initial save on a Scott Wray shot through traffic but was unable to slide across the crease before Aldoff lifted the shot into the back of the net.

Brendan Cook opened a two-goal lead for Rapid City midway through period redirecting a Riley Weselowski shot from between the circles following an offensive zone faceoff.

Linus Fagemo lifted his arms in celebration just over seven minutes into the second as he thought he tied the game at two with a wrap-around effort after forcing Battochio to the ice but play continued.

Cook picked up his second of the game with a power-play marker with 5:18 to play from Les Reaney and Hodge all but securing his club's 35th win on the season.

Arizona (19-27-6) next takes on the Colorado Eagles at the Budweiser Events Center in Loveland, Colorado on Friday at 7:05pm. Listen live on KDDL ‘Cattle Country' 94.3FM, the Official Radio Home of Arizona Sundogs Hockey, and online at www.cattlecountryradio.com.



Central Hockey League Stories from February 24, 2010


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