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Sundogs Lose Lead, Come from Behind to Top Killer Bees, 4-3

December 3, 2010 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Arizona Sundogs News Release


PRESCOTT VALLEY, Ariz. - Trailing 3-2 after 40 minutes of play in the second of six straight away from home, the Arizona Sundogs responded with a pair of tallies in the third period to take the first of a two-game set against the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees, 4-3, Friday night at State Farm Arena in Hidalgo, Texas.

Arizona held a 2-0 lead after the first period on goals by Billy Bezeau and Cam Keith but Rio Grande Valley collected three goals in a four-minute span midway through the second frame to overcome the two-goal deficit.

Down a goal heading into the final frame, Jason Williams was credited with his rookie-leading eighth goal of the season just over seven minutes into the third period, snapping a six-game pointless streak and tying the game at three. The Killer Bees' Jake Obermeyer batted the puck into his own net in an attempt to swipe it clear of the front of the goal mouth at the 7:43 mark.

Immediately after the play, Matt Smyth - brother of Sundogs forward Adam Smyth - was whistled for roughing, fighting and an aggressor misconduct, giving Arizona an extended five-minute power play.

Joey Sides tallied his second point of the night and what would prove to be the eventual game-winner 1:13 later, beating Juliano Pagliero for his third of the year from Kyle Hood and Luke Erickson.

Bezeau extended his point streak to three games with a goal and an assist in the win and opened scoring in the contest, snapping a shot between the legs of Pagliero from between the circles 16:42 into the contest. Rushing up the ice 3-on-2, Smyth left a drop pass for Bezeau trailing the play.

Keith stretched his club's lead to two less than two minutes later, converting Arizona's third power play opportunity of the first period. Hood held the blue line and sent a pass along the boards to Erickson below the far circle before the team's leading scorer threaded a pass through traffic and across the goal mouth to Keith at the near post with 1:38 to play in the period.

The Killer Bees countered with three goals in the second, carrying play for much of the period while recording 18 shots on net.

Ryan McLeod cut Arizona's lead to one at the 9:19 mark, collecting a pass from Kyle Radke and lifting an effort under the cross bar for his fifth of the year.

Obermeyer pulled his team even at two less than three minutes later, one-timing a Tyler Lehrke rebound from the far post.

Rio Grande Valley continued to pressure and quickly took a 3-2 lead as Aaron Lee found the back of the net through a scramble in front 1:39 later.

Groenestege improved to 3-5-1 on the year with 35 saves on 38 shots. With the win Arizona has earned points in eight of its last 10 contests, going 5-2-3 in that span.

The Sundogs finished 2-for-6 with the man advantage while the Killer Bees converted once on four power play chances.

Currently in a three-way tie for sixth place in the Berry Conference with the Laredo Bucks and Odessa Jackalopes, Arizona (7-9-3) sits just three points back of third place and the Texas Brahmas.

The Sundogs and Killer Bees (8-10-2) face off again tomorrow night at 6:30pm (Arizona time). Listen to the game live online at www.cattlecountryradio.com and on KDDL 'Cattle Country' 94.3FM, the Official Radio Home of Arizona Sundogs Hockey.

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