Sundogs Give Up Five Power Play Goals in 6-5 Loss

December 15, 2006 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Arizona Sundogs News Release


PRESCOTT VALLEY, Ariz. - The Arizona Sundogs and New Mexico Scorpions faced off in a Southwest Division battle Friday evening. Only three points separated first place from last place at the start of the night. Arizona's penalty kill unit would give up five power play goals as New Mexico would gain two points in the Southwest Division race. With the win, only two points separate the top and bottom teams in the division.

New Mexico would strike quick in the first period with Christopher Robertson collecting a power play goal at 1:04 from Lance Herauf and Mike Falk. Jonathan Bernier would be tagged for roughing and unsportsmanlike conduct as he would try and lure Kevin Harvey into a scramble just 42 seconds into the contest. The Scorpions would take a two-goal lead at the 7:28 mark as Konrad Reeder would notch New Mexico's second goal with the man advantage on a pass from Craig MacDonald and Ryan McLeod. Less than three minutes later Sundogs forward Brent Kelly would sneak one past Scorpions netminder David Cacciola. Cory Stillman and L.P. Martin assisted on the play. At 12:43, New Mexico's Robertson would grab his second of the night, this time shorthanded. At 14:22 of the first Arizona would score its first power play goal of the night as Kelly would tally his second of the night. Defenseman Chris Bartolone and Dan DaSilva were credited with assists.

The Sundogs' Ryan Steeves would slide the puck past Cacciola at 7:16 of the middle frame from DaSilva to even the game at three. It would ten minutes before the game would see another score. New Mexico would again take the lead as Robertson would capture his third goal of the game, again on the man advantage this time on a deflection from Falk and Rob Guinn. With only 11 seconds to play in the second, DaSilva would score for Arizona on the power play from Kelly and Stillman. The goal would be DaSilva's third point of the game.

In the third, both clubs would skate exchanging opportunities to take the lead outright. At 11:08 of the third period, the Scorpions would take advantage of their eighth power play of the night with Aaron MacInnis scoring on a pass from Guinn. Just 41 seconds later New Mexico would take their third two-goal lead of the game again on the power play. Vladimir Hartinger would be the responsible party on a pass from Robertson. The assist would be Robertson's fourth point of the night. Arizona would pull netminder Chris King in place of an extra offensive skater with one minute left to play in regulation. Cory Stillman would take advantage from Dan Laperriere and Kelly. The assist would be Kelly's fourth point of the night. The comeback would prove to be too little too late as New Mexico would skate away with the win.

Arizona outshot New Mexico 42-35 in the contest. The Sundogs' King stopped 29 shots while Cacciola stopped 37 shots for the win. The Scorpions finished 5 of 12 on the power play while the Sundogs finished 3-for-11. The two teams face off again tomorrow night at 7:35pm in Rio Rancho.



Central Hockey League Stories from December 15, 2006


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