Sundogs Lose 5-4 in Physical Battle vs. Colorado

Published on November 3, 2006 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Arizona Sundogs News Release


PRESCOTT VALLEY, Ariz. - In their fourth game in a five game, 11 day road trip, the Arizona Sundogs faced-off against the Colorado Eagles in game that was aggressive from the start. Altercations during warm-ups led to a fight between Jonathan Bernier and Ryan Tobler just three seconds into the contest. Brent Kelly kept up his scoring ways with two goals and an assist while linemate Cory Stillman totaled a goal and an assist. Penalties would hurt the Sundogs though, giving up 3 power play goals in the contest to the Eagles, resulting in a 5-4 loss. With the loss, Arizona drops to 4-2-0 on the season while Colorado improves to 3-1-0.

The first period would see its first fight at the three second mark with Arizona's Jonathan Bernier and Colorado's Ryan Tobler dropping the gloves and exchanging blows. The Sundogs would open the scoring quickly as Brent Kelly would put one past the glove of Colorado netminder Marco Emond at the 1:22 mark. Michael Vernace and Chris Bartolone assisted on the play. The game would see its second fight at 8:50 of the first, with the Sundogs newly-signed Martin Doyle and the Eagle's Lee Arnold squaring off. At 10:50, Arizona would take a 2-0 lead on a goal from Captain Ryan Steeves from Chris Greene and Torrie Wheat. Just 20 seconds later, Kelly would be called for hooking giving Colorado its second man-advantage of the game. Colorado would capitalize on a Sean Robertson goal from Ryan Tobler and Eric Adams at 11:58.

Arizona and Colorado would start the second period skating 4 on 4 after matching roughing penalties by Michael Vernace and Chris Hartsburg. Arizona's Christian Hommel would be called for hooking at 5:02 of the second and Colorado would score their second power play goal of the game at 6:41 from Williamson, unassisted. Less than 30 seconds later, Arizona would return the favor, answering with a goal of their own from Lardner, assisted by Stillman and Kelly. At 12:29 of the second, Colorado would once again tie the game, this time on a goal from Schneekloth with Birnie and Hartsburg credited with assists on the goal. Continuing the back and forth play, Arizona's Kelly would notch his second goal of the game from Laperriere and Stillman.

Colorado would start the third as they did the second with a power play goal at 4:39 from Hartsburg. At 3:35 of the third, Demen-Willaume would be called for holding. Colorado's Pankewicz and Strain would assist Hartsburg on the goal. With less than three minutes left to play in the contest the Eagles' Strain would score the first goal of his professional career, pushing the puck past Arizona netminder Kris Mayotte's left pad. Strain's score would give Colorado the lead for the first time in the game and they would not relinquish it. Hartsburg and Pankewicz would be credited with the assists on the play.

Arizona finished 0-6 on the power play while Colorado finished 3-7. Kris Mayotte appeared in net for the Sundogs, stopping 35 of 40 shots while Colorado's Marco Emond stopped 29 of 33 shots. The two teams face off again tomorrow night in Loveland, Colo. At 7:05pm (Arizona time). Catch all the action live on 96.7 FM The Wolf, the Official Broadcast Home of the Arizona Sundogs.

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Central Hockey League Stories from November 3, 2006


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