Sundogs' Netminder Wall Scores Empty Net Goal, Arizona Wins 5-2
Published on March 17, 2007 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Arizona Sundogs News Release
PRESCOTT VALLEY, Ariz. - The Arizona Sundogs faced off against potential Southern Conference first round playoff opponent the Corpus Christi Rayz Friday night at Tim's Toyota Center in Prescott Valley. Arizona would come out on top of the 5-2 victory but the night's story would surround netminder Mike Wall as he collected his first professional goal. The rare event has happened several times in different professional ranks but the implementation of the trapezoid rule makes this feat difficult for goalies.
The Sundogs would waste no time getting on the scoreboard in the first period as forward Brad Mehalko would grab his second goal in as many games from Dmitri Leonov and Chris Bartolone at 1:22 of the opening frame. At the 6:06 mark Arizona would take a two-goal lead as forward-turned-defenseman Jon Landry would slap the puck past Rayz netminder Brent Zelenewich. Cory Stillman would be credited with an assist on the play. At 10:18 of the period Corpus Christi would cut the Sundogs' lead back to one scoring on its first man advantage of the night. Todd Paul would take a pass from Niklas Lindberg and Derrick McIver off the face off and fire the puck from the middle past Sundogs goaltender Mike Wall. Arizona would see several chances in the closing minutes but would be unable to convert.
On what seemed to be a routine goalie freeze just 21 seconds into the second period, the puck would squeeze free and bounce in the net off Zelenewich's foot. The referee however would waive the goal off as the whistle had blown. The Rayz would even the score 2-2 at the 3:10 mark on their second power play goal of the game. Paul would collect the equalizer, his second of the game, on a tic-tac-toe play from Blair Stayzer and Geno Parrish. Less than two minutes later Arizona would regain its one-goal lead as Stillman would tip a Brent Kelly pass top shelf. The goal would be Stillman's second point of the night. With just 14 seconds to play in the middle period Ryan Steeves would collect a pass from Dan Laperriere behind the Rayz defense and skate in alone. Zelenewich would commit low and Steeves would lift to puck for the Sundogs' fourth goal of the game. rizona's skaters would continue to pressure the Rayz in the third period but would be unable to find the back of the net. Arizona goalie Mike Wall had an answer however as he would take the puck from behind the Arizona net and lift it down the ice and into the empty net for his first-ever professional goal, sealing the 5-2 win.
Arizona would double the Rayz shot output 40-20 in the contest. The Sundogs' second-ranked power play would be blanked, going 0-for-4 while allowing Corpus Christi to convert on 2-of-5 chances. Wall stopped 18-of-20 shots on the night while Zelenewich deflected 35 of 39 shots. The two clubs face off again tomorrow night at 7:00pm at Tim's Toyota Center in Prescott Valley.
With the win the Sundogs move closer to clinching their first-ever playoff berth. Both Amarillo and New Mexico collected wins on the night so the top three teams remain unchanged in the Southwest Division.
Central Hockey League Stories from March 17, 2007
- Rayz blaze past Sundogs 4-1 - Corpus Christi IceRays
- Odessa Rallies Past Rage with Third Period - Rocky Mountain Rage
- Laredo Falls 3-2 To RiverKings - Laredo Bucks
- RiverKings topple best of the south, secure home ice in first round - Mississippi RiverKings
- Eagles Comeback in 2-1 Win - Colorado Eagles
- Nip and Tuck Hounds Lose to Eagles - Youngstown SteelHounds
- Scorpions Players Look To Garner League Awards - New Mexico Scorpions
- Quenneville, Parrish named CHL award Finalists - Corpus Christi IceRays
- Youth Villages takes turn as featured non profit Tuesday - Mississippi RiverKings
- RiverKings at Laredo Preview - Mississippi RiverKings
- Sundogs' Netminder Wall Scores Empty Net Goal, Arizona Wins 5-2 - Arizona Sundogs
- Rookies Lift Scorpions to Impressive Victory - New Mexico Scorpions
- Rayz fall to Sundogs, 5-2 - Corpus Christi IceRays
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