Sundogs grab first-ever franchise win at Colorado
November 9, 2007 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Arizona Sundogs News Release
PRESCOTT VALLEY, Ariz. - The Arizona Sundogs skated into Budweiser Events Center in Loveland, Colo. Friday night to take on the Colorado Eagles looking for their first-ever win in the Eagles' home arena. Prior to tonight, neither team had beaten the opponent on their home ice. The visiting Sundogs responded to change that statistic with a 3-2 win, Colorado's fourth straight loss this season.
Rookie netminder Bill Zaniboni started in net for Arizona but would be replaced by backup goalie Andrew Gallant just 7:46 seconds in as the result of an injury. Colorado tallied the game's first goal just 18 seconds later to take an early lead in the contest as Seth Leonard notched his first of two goals on the game on passes from Paul Esdale and Steve Haddon. Later in the period the Eagles' Jay Birnie and Greg Pankewicz would be penalized just 62 seconds apart to give the Sundogs a 5-on-3 power play at the 13:39 mark. Arizona capitalized on the two-man advantage to take a 2-1 lead. Sundogs forward Mark Kolanos tallied his club's first power play goal at 14:36 of the first from Sean Sullivan and Dusty Collins. With a 5-on-4 power play still in tact, Arizona scored again, this time on an Olivier Latendresse shot. Sullivan grabbed his second helper on the play with Tyler Redenbach also collecting an assist. Arizona held a 19-11 shot advantage through the opening frame.
Neither team was able to find the back of the net in the second, but Jonathan Bernier and Jay Birnie exchanged punches for the second time in the game.
Four minutes and 57 seconds into the third, Sundogs forward Alex Leavitt found the back of the net past Eagles netminder Clayton Pool for a 3-1 Arizona lead. With the goal, Leavitt extends his point streak to six games. Redenbach was credited with his second assist on the night to extend his season-long point streak to nine games. Colorado pulled goaltender Pool for an extra offensive skater in the closing seconds and would find the back of the net with just two seconds remaining in regulation. Leonard collected his second goal on the night with Scott Polaski and Aaron Schneekloth tallying assists.
With the win Arizona improves to 6-2-1 on the season, good enough for 13 points and first place in the Southwest Division. After replacing Bill Zaniboni in net for Arizona, Andrew Gallant received first-star honors, deflecting 34 of 36 shots for his second straight win. Clayton Pool stopped 37 of 40 shots in the loss. The Sundogs continued to improve on the penalty kill, holding the league's fourth-ranked power play scoreless on four chances. The Sundogs converted on power play chances to finish 2-for-7 on the night.
The Sundogs now travel south to New Mexico to take on Southwest Division rival, the New Mexico Scorpions Saturday night at the Santa Ana Star Center. Game time is set for 7:15pm and can be heard live on 96.7 FM The Wolf, the Official Broadcast Home of the Arizona Sundogs.
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