Sundogs Notes
Published on December 13, 2010 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Arizona Sundogs News Release
The Arizona Sundogs (10-10-3) closed out a six-game road trip last week, going 4-1-1 in that span. Winners of nine of its last 14, Arizona moves in a three-way tie for fourth place in the Berry Conference and sits just two points back of third-place Texas.
On Tuesday, the Sundogs tallied the game's first goal and held a 1-0 lead over the Odessa Jackalopes until midway through the first period when the Jackalopes rattled off four straight goals en route to a 5-3 win, handing the 'Dogs just their third regulation loss in 12 games.
Arizona responded with a 2-1 victory over the Laredo Bucks on Friday on the strength of a pair of first-period goals by Kyle Hood and Joey Sides. Doug Groenestege was nearly perfect in net, turning aside 32 of 33 shots for his fourth win of the season.
On Saturday, the Sundogs extended their winning streak to two with a 3-2 overtime win over the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees, their third win in as many tries over the South Texas club. Mark Kolanos picked up two goals including his team-leading third game-winning marker of the season 1:23 into overtime.
Arizona returns to Prescott Valley for a three-game set against the defending Ray Miron Presidents' Cup Champion Rapid City Rush beginning Wednesday at 7:05pm (Arizona time). Tickets start at just $12 and are available by phone at 1-866-4-GET-TIX (1-866-443-8849), online at www.GetTix.net and in person at the Tim's Toyota Center Box Office.
Sundogs Storylines:
- The Sundogs have earned 19 of their 23 points on the road this season. Arizona is just 2-5-0 at home but owns an 8-5-3 record away from Tim's Toyota Center and is 7-1-3 in their last 11 road games. Prior to their three home games this week, the Sundogs have played just seven games at home compared to 16 away from Prescott Valley. Despite a .500 overall record of 10-10-3, Arizona is just one of seven teams in the CHL with an above .500 record away from home.
- After an eight-game slide (0-6-2) in late-October and early-November, Arizona is 4-1-0 in its last five games and has won nine and has earned points in 11 of its last 14 contests, going 9-3-2 in that span.
- The Sundogs are 8-2-2 when scoring the game's first goal and 6-1-2 when leading after one period and two periods of play.
- When outshooting an opponent, Arizona is just 3-6-1, but when being outshot in a game, the Sundogs are 7-3-2.
- The Sundogs own a 6-2-1 record on Friday night but are just 2-5-1 on Saturday.
- After surrendering 11 goals first-period goals in their first nine games to start the season, the Sundogs have held their opponents scoreless in the first period in 11 of their last 14 contests, giving up just four first-period goals in that span.
- Arizona's power-play unit has scored 26 goals on 153 opportunities clicking at 16.99% and ranking 14th in the league but is 14-for-51 (27.5%) with the man advantage in its last nine games.
- After collecting just one assist in his first four games back with Arizona, Kyle Hood has went on scoring streaks of three games, four games and five games and has picked up 16 points (2g/14a) in his last 15 games, ranking third on the team in scoring with 17 points (2g/15a). Hood finished as the team's top scorer in 2009-10 with 56 points (14g/42a) in 63 games.
- Tallying just two goals and seven points in his first 16 games, second-year forward Joey Sides has recorded four goals and eight points in his last five games. Sides currently ranks fourth on the team in scoring with 15 points (6g/9a) in 21 games.
- Sundogs goaltender Levente Szuper (5-3-2) co-leads all CHL goaltenders in save percentage (.932) and ranks fourth in goals against average (2.35). Szuper has been named Oakley CHL Goaltender of the Week twice this season.
- Acquired in a trade with the Rapid City Rush on 11/10, forward Luke Erickson has tallied 17 points (8g/9a), two game-winners and is plus-3 in 12 games with the Sundogs. Erickson is averaging more than a point per game this season and leads the Sundogs in scoring with 21 points (10g/11a) in 18 games.
- Forward Mark Kolanos is tied for the team lead in goals (10) and leads the team in game-winners with three. His five power-play goals are tied for team lead along with teammate and rookie Jason Williams. Kolanos, currently riding a three-game point streak (2g/2a), has 13 points (10g/3a) on the season.
Upcoming Games:
- Wednesday, Dec. 15 (7:05pm) vs. Rapid City Rush
- Tickets start at just $12
- By phone: 1-866-4-GET-TIX (1-866-443-8849)
- Online: www.GetTix.net
- In person: Tim's Toyota Center Box Office, 3201 N. Main Street, Prescott Valley
- Friday, Dec. 17 (7:05pm) vs. Rapid City Rush
- Tickets start at just $12
- By phone: 1-866-4-GET-TIX (1-866-443-8849)
- Online: www.GetTix.net
- In person: Tim's Toyota Center Box Office, 3201 N. Main Street, Prescott Valley
- Saturday, Dec. 18 (7:05pm) vs. Rapid City Rush
- Tickets start at just $12
- By phone: 1-866-4-GET-TIX (1-866-443-8849)
- Online: www.GetTix.net
- In person: Tim's Toyota Center Box Office, 3201 N. Main Street, Prescott Valley
Upcoming Promotions/Giveaways:
- McWhite's North American Van Lines 'Toys for Kids'
- On Tuesday, Dec. 14, Arizona Sundogs players will surprise 20 underprivileged boys and 20 less-fortunate girls at Tim's Toyota Center with toys, Sundogs tickets and Sundogs jerseys.
- The children will go on a tour of Tim's Toyota Center and will be surprised by players in the Sundogs dressing room.
- The event runs from 4:00-6:00pm.
- 'Dogs Partner with Toys for Tots for Fifth Straight Year
- During home games on Wednesday, Dec. 15, Friday, Dec. 17 and Saturday, Dec. 18 the Sundogs and Greater Prescott Area Toys for Tots will have boxes set up on the concourse near the main entrances of Tim's Toyota Center to collect new, unwrapped toys in their original packaging.
- Sundogs and The Salvation Army 'Doing the Most Good'
- Arizona Sundogs players will staff collections points at Walmart off Highway 69 in Prescott, Walmart off Gail Gardner Way in Prescott and at Fry's off Glassford Hill Road in Prescott Valley on Thursday, Dec. 16 from 3:30-5:30pm.
- Members of The Salvation Army will also collect donations outside the main entrances of Tim's Toyota Center on Wednesday, Dec. 15, Friday, Dec. 17 and Saturday, Dec. 18 before the Sundogs take on the defending Ray Miron Presidents' Cup Champion Rapid City Rush.
- Second annual 'Teddy Bear Toss' Saturday, Dec. 18
- Fans are encouraged to bring new teddy bears and stuffed animals to the game on December 18 and will be asked to throw the stuffed animals onto the ice after the Sundogs score their first goal.
- All stuffed animals collected during the game will be donated to Toys for Tots and Andrea's Closet as well as other non-profit agencies throughout Northern Arizona.
- Holiday Family Four Packs are Back!
- The Arizona Sundogs have re-introduced the 'Holiday Family Four Pack' for their next three home games against the Rapid City Rush.
- Holiday Family Four Packs include four Prime Section tickets, four hot dogs and four 12-ounce sodas for just $48, regularly an $84 value.
- To purchase Holiday Family Four Packs visit the Tim's Toyota Center Box Office at 3201 N. Main Street in Prescott Valley.
Central Hockey League Stories from December 13, 2010
- Shots from the Point for December 13, 2010 - CHL
- Quad City Mallards Lead the Way - Quad City Mallards
- Bucks to Host Basketball Contest Saturday - Laredo Bucks
- PrairieThunder's Bill Bagron Named Oakley CHL Player Of - Bloomington PrairieThunder
- Oakley CHL Player of the Week Announced - CHL
- Mallards Weekly Update - Quad City Mallards
- Mavericks Weekly - Kansas City Mavericks
- Mudbugs Weekly - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
- Colorado Eagles Weekly Update - Colorado Eagles
- RiverKings Weekly - Mississippi RiverKings
- Bucks Can Set Record Tuesday - Laredo Bucks
- Americans Announce 2010-11 Television Schedule - Allen Americans
- Komets to Complete 5-Game Road Tour Friday at Quad City - Fort Wayne Komets
- Four Games For Hot Oilers - Tulsa Oilers
- Sundogs Notes - Arizona Sundogs
- Jackalopes Weekly Update - Odessa Jackalopes
- Puska On Pucks Returns With All New Episode - OSC Original by Denis Puska
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
