Sundogs Notes

December 27, 2010 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Arizona Sundogs News Release


The Arizona Sundogs (11-13-4) dropped a pair of road contests against the Rapid City Rush and Colorado Eagles last week, earning a point in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Rush on Tuesday before falling 7-6 to the Eagles on Wednesday. Arizona remains in a two-way tie for seventh place in the Berry Conference with the Odessa Jackalopes and sits just one point back sixth place and three points back of fourth place.

On Tuesday, Joey Sides picked up a goal and an assist, including the game-tying goal in the third period to force overtime, but the Rush collected their third power-play goal of the game 56 seconds into the extra frame to escape with the 3-2 win.

On Wednesday, the Sundogs found themselves trailing by one 23 seconds into the contest, down two less than two minutes into the game and losing by a 5-1 mark after the first period before a furious comeback pulled them to within one, 7-6. Colorado held on for the win in which Arizona outscored the home team, 5-2, in the final two periods. Bobby Jarosz replaced starting netminder Levente Szuper in net and turned aside 23 of 25 shots in his first appearance in goal since October 30.

Arizona returns to Prescott Valley for a six-game home stand with three straight against the Laredo Bucks beginning Wednesday at 7:05pm. 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:

- After scoring just one goal in its previous 24 man advantage opportunities, Arizona exploded for four power-play goals on seven tries in a 7-6 loss to the Colorado Eagles on 12/22.

- Veteran Joel Irving is six games away from playing in his 800th career professional game. The forward is slated to appear in his 800th career game on Saturday, Jan. 8 against former team the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees.

- Set to skate in their fifth consecutive New Year's Eve game, the Sundogs will battle conference opponent the Laredo Bucks at 7:35pm on Friday, Dec. 31. Arizona is 1-3-0 all-time in New Year's Eve games.

- Tallying just two goals and seven points in his first 16 games, second-year forward Joey Sides has recorded 18 points (7g/7a) in his last 10 games. Sides currently ranks tied for second on the team in scoring with 25 points (11g/14a) in 26 games and is currently riding a five-game point streak (5g/5a). He has 18 points (9g/9a) and is plus-6 in 11 contests in December, being held without a point just twice. Sides also has one shorthanded goal and two shorthanded assists in the month.

- Rookie netminder Bobby Jarosz made his first appearance in net in nearly two months, in relief of starting goaltender Levente Szuper on Wednesday, Dec. 22 against the Colorado Eagles. Trailing 5-1 after 20 minutes of play, Jarosz started the second period and turned away 23 of 25 shots in 40 minutes of action. Jarosz in 1-3-0 on the year with a 4.18 goals against average and .871 save percentage.

- 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, five games and two games twice and has picked up eight points (4g/4a) in his last five games. Hood is tied for second on the team in scoring with 25 points (6g/19a) in 24 games. Hood finished as the team's top scorer in 2009-10 with 56 points (14g/42a) in 63 games.

- Acquired in a trade with the Rapid City Rush on 11/10, forward Luke Erickson has tallied 23 points (12g/11a) and two game-winners in 17 games with the Sundogs. Erickson is averaging more than a point per game this season and leads the Sundogs in scoring with 27 points (14g/13a) in 23 games.

- Defenseman Tyler Butler ranks fourth on the team in scoring and tied for fourth among CHL defensemen with 21 points (5g/16a). His 13 power-play assists lead all CHL players.

Upcoming Games:

- Wednesday, Dec. 29 (7:05pm) vs. Laredo Bucks

- 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. 31 (7:35pm) vs. Laredo Bucks

- 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, Jan. 1 (7:05pm) vs. Laredo Bucks

- 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:

- Arizona Sundogs Coaches Show

- The Arizona Sundogs Coaches Show returns tomorrow from 5:00-7:00pm at Tailgaters Sports Grill in the Prescott Valley Entertainment District. Join radio broadcaster Scott Studdert, Head Coach and General Manager Marco Pietroniro, defenseman Tyler Butler and forward Joey Sides as they discuss all things Sundogs. Players and coaches will be on hand from 5:00-6:00pm to talk with fans before going on air from 6:00-7:00pm. The Arizona Sundogs Coaches Show can be heard live on KQNA 1130AM, 99.9FM in Prescott in Chino Valley and online at www.KQNA.com.

- Celebrate New Year's Eve with the Sundogs

- The Arizona Sundogs, in partnership with the Town of Prescott Valley and Liberty Kia, have announced plans for the team's annual New Year's Eve game on Friday, Dec. 31.

- The pregame celebration begins at 4:00pm and includes a bonfire - set to start at 4:30pm - live music, inflatable bounces provided by Freedom Station and a food and beverage tent with hot chocolate, cider and s'mores. A fireworks display will close out the celebration at 6:20pm. All festivities will take place on Main Street between Florentine Road and the Prescott Valley Entertainment District.

- The Sundogs will also host a post-game skate with the team event following the game. Vouchers for the post-game skate cost $5 for season ticket holders and $7 for non-season ticket holders and can be purchased by calling the Sundogs' offices at (928) 759-6600 or by visiting the Sundogs' information table on the concourse outside the Arizona Sundogs Team Store during home games. A limited number of vouchers will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Fans who purchase a voucher must attend the New Year's Eve game in order to participate in the post-game skate.

- First Specialty Jersey Auction of the Season

- The Sundogs will wear special tuxedo-themed jerseys on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day and will hold its first live postgame jersey auction of the season following Saturday's game. Proceeds will benefit non-profit agencies throughout Northern Arizona.

- The live auction will take place in Sections 209 and 210.

- 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 Laredo Bucks.

- 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 27, 2010


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