Sundogs Hand Rage First Win of Season, Fall 4-1

October 25, 2008 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Arizona Sundogs News Release


PRESCOTT VALLEY, Ariz. - The 2008 Central Hockey League Ray Miron President's Cup Champion Arizona Sundogs squared off against the Rocky Mountain Rage on Saturday night at the Broomfield Event Center. After finishing 4-for-10 on the power play the previous night, the Sundogs were unable to convert on the man advantage on Saturday, finishing 0-for-10 and handing the previously winless Rage their first win of the 2008-09 season, 4-1.

The first period of Saturday night's contest saw both teams playing a more conservative style of play with neither club wanting to give up a goal in the opening moments. Both teams tried to establish a physical presence early on with Arizona's Karl Sellan and Rocky Mountain's Nathan ONabigon traded punches just 4:54 into the contest. Less than a minute later, Sundogs captain and veteran defenseman Chris Bartolone dropped the gloves with the Rage forward Daymen Rycroft. Despite the tempers, neither squad was able to find the back of the net in the opening 20 minutes of play. Arizona goaltender Marco Emond turned aside all nine shots faced in the period while Rage netminder Marty Magers blocked all four shots.

Rocky Mountain needed just 15 seconds in the middle period to take the first lead of the game. Still on a power play following a late first period Josh Coyle cross checking penalty, John Snowden gained the offensive zone off the opening faceoff and lifted a backhand effort over the shoulder of Emond for his team-leading third goal of the season. Rycroft and Tyler Butler assisted on the play to give their club a 1-0 lead. Just shy of the period's midway point, the Rage opened a two-goal cushion as Rycroft converted for his club's second power play goal of the period. Mark Smith and Jarred Mohr assisted on the play. At 14:26 of the frame, the Sundogs cut Rocky Mountain's lead in half as Jason Visser beat Magers for his second goal of the season from Matt Suderman and Cory Stillman. Colt King collected his fifth helper of the season less than two minutes later, setting up Rycroft for his second of the game to give the Rage a 3-1 lead. Rocky Mountain outshot Arizona 13-10 in the second period for a 22-14 advantage in shots through 40 minutes of play.

The Rage took a 4-1 lead 1:45 into the third period as David Morelli used a second chance effort to slap a rebound past Emond from the right side of the goal crease for the period's lone goal. Smith and King registered their second assist of the game on the early Morelli marker.

Emond appeared in net for Arizona and stopped 25 of 29 shots to fall to 1-2-0 on the season while Magers turned aside 25 of 26 shots for his and his club's first win of the year. Arizona was held scoreless ten power play chances while the Rage converted on 2-of-9 opportunities with the man advantage.

With the loss, Arizona falls to 1-4-0 on the season. The Sundogs return to Arizona before traveling to Texas for three-straight games against Southwest Division clubs the Amarillo Gorillas and Odessa Jackalopes beginning on Friday, Oct. 31. Friday's game against the Gorillas is set for 5:05pm (Arizona time) but will be tape-delayed until 7:00pm on 96.7 FM The Wolf, the Official Broadcast Home of the Arizona Sundogs.



Central Hockey League Stories from October 25, 2008


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