Sundogs Notes

January 3, 2011 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Arizona Sundogs News Release


The Arizona Sundogs (13-14-4) completed a three-game set at Tim's Toyota Center against the Laredo Bucks last week, finishing with a 2-0-1 mark.

On Wednesday, rookie forward Patrick Schafer, skating in his first pro game, collected his first pro goal with 1:29 remaining in the contest to give the Sundogs a 3-2 win over the Bucks, snapping a four-game winless streak.

On Friday, Tyler Butler found the back of the net with 3.6 seconds remaining in overtime helping the Sundogs to back-to-back home wins for the first time this season. Trailing 3-1 in the third period, Joey Sides and Luke Erickson each tallied markers to force overtime before Butler staked Arizona to its second straight win.

The Bucks avoided a three-game weekend sweep on Saturday, topping the Sundogs by a 6-3 mark. Rookie netminder Bobby Jarosz made his first start in net since October 30 and turned aside 22 of 27 shots in the loss. Adam Smyth led the team in scoring with a goal and an assist in the loss.

Arizona continues a six-game homestand with three straight against the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees 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:

- Veteran Joel Irving is three 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.

- Recently named to the 2011 CHL All-Star Team set to compete against the host Rapid City Rush in the 2011 CHL All-Star Game on Wednesday, Jan. 12 in Rapid City, South Dakota, Joey Sides finished the month of December with 20 points (10g/10a) and a plus-7 rating in 13 contests, being held without a point just three times. He also collected two shorthanded goals and two shorthanded assists in the month. Sides is tied for the league lead in shorthanded points (6), shorthanded goals (3) and shorthanded assists (3).

- Rookie forward Patrick Schafer, skating in his first pro game, collected his first pro goal with 1:29 remaining in the contest to give the Sundogs a 3-2 win over the Laredo Bucks on 12/29, snapping the team's four-game winless streak.

- Arizona's power-play unit has scored 35 goals on 192 opportunities clicking at 18.923% and ranking ninth overall in the league. After scoring just one goal in its previous 24 man advantage opportunities, Arizona is 8-for-19 (42.1%) on the power play in its last four games, including exploding for a season-high four power-play goals on seven tries in a 7-6 loss to the Colorado Eagles on 12/22. The Sundogs have given up five shorthanded goals.

- The Sundogs have a 3-0-0 record against the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees this season, a team they host for three straight at Tim's Toyota Center this week. Arizona topped the 'Bees 4-3 on 12/3, 7-1 on 12/4 and 3-2 in overtime on 12/11.

- Arizona (13-14-4, 30 points) currently in seventh place in the Berry Conference, sits just three points back of third place but just one point back in front of eight place and three points ahead of ninth place. Only seven points separate seven teams from third to ninth place.

- Arizona just completed their best month of the season so far, finishing the month of December with an overall record of 7-4-2. The 'Dogs were 3-2-0 at Tim's Toyota Center and 4-2-2 away from home in the last month of 2010.

- When outshooting an opponent, Arizona is just 4-9-1, but when being outshot in a game, the Sundogs are 9-4-3.

- The Sundogs own a 7-3-1 record on Friday night but are just 2-7-1 on Saturday.

Upcoming Games:

- Wednesday, Jan. 5 (7:05pm) vs. Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees

- 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, Jan. 7 (7:05pm) vs. Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees

- Tickets start at just $12

- By phone: 1-866-4-GET-TIX (1-866-443-8849)

- Online: www.GetTix.net

- Saturday, Jan. 8 (7:05pm) vs. Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees

- Tickets start at just $12

- By phone: 1-866-4-GET-TIX (1-866-443-8849)

- Online: www.GetTix.net

Upcoming Promotions/Giveaways:

- Little Caesars Pizza Player Appearance - Tuesday, Jan. 4 from 4:00-6:00pm

- Stop by the new Little Caesars Pizza location in Prescott and meet Sundogs forward Joey Sides and goaltender Levente Szuper. Sides and Szuper will be available for photos and autographs during the appearance.

- Little Caesars Pizza is located at 1046 Willow Creek Road in the Safeway Shopping Center.

- During the event, fans will receive $1 off a Little Caesars Meal Deal - 14-inch pizza, Crazy Bread and a 2 liter soda.

- Arizona Sundogs Coaches Show - Tuesday, Jan. 4 from 5:00-7:00pm

- 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, forward Joel Irving and goaltender Bobby Jarosz 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.

- The Hanson Brothers - Saturday, Jan. 8

- Don't miss your chance to meet the Hanson Brothers, from one of the top sports films of all time, Slap Shot, on Saturday Jan. 8 as the Sundogs host the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees!

- Jeff, Steve and Dave will be on hand to sign autographs and entertain fans throughout the game.

- Also, Kokopelli Eye Care will hand out Hanson Brothers-style glasses to the first 1,500 fans.



Central Hockey League Stories from January 3, 2011


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