Sundogs Notes

January 31, 2011 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Arizona Sundogs News Release


In the midst of a season-long nine-game homestand, the Arizona Sundogs (17-20-5) dropped three straight games to the Colorado Eagles last week at Tim's Toyota Center.

Skating in the first of three games in as many nights and five games in six days, the Arizona Sundogs picked up their first regulation loss in six home games, falling 4-1 to the visiting Colorado Eagles Friday night.

On Saturday, the Eagles battled back from a two-goal deficit and three separate one-goal deficits en route to a 6-4 win over the Sundogs. Arizona held a 3-1 lead in the second period and didn't trail until the game's final four minutes when Colorado's Riley Nelson tallied the eventual game-winner with both teams skating 4-on-4.

On Sunday, Nelson completed his hat trick effort with an empty net marker with 1.5 seconds remaining in the game and the Eagles earned a weekend sweep of the Sundogs at Tim's Toyota Center, topping the host team by a 5-2 mark in the final contest of a three-game set.

Arizona closes out its nine-game home slate with three games against the Laredo Bucks (14-21-6) beginning Tuesday 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:

- Head Coach and General Manager Marco Pietroniro will coach in his 300th game and the Arizona Sundogs franchise will play in its 300th game on Tuesday, Feb. 1 against the Laredo Bucks. Currently celebrating their fifth anniversary season, the Sundogs began play in the Central Hockey League during the 2006-07 season and won the league's top prize, the Ray Miron Presidents' Cup, in just their second season.

- Cam Keith owns the league's longest point streak this season at 14 games. Collecting 24 points (6g/18a) in that span, Keith saw the streak come to an end in a 4-1 loss to the Colorado Eagles on 1/29. Keith also owns the CHL's second-longest assists streak at nine games (13a). Keith's 10 power-play goals are tied for second-most in the CHL along with teammate Luke Erickson.

- Luke Erickson owns the league's second-longest point streak this season at 13 games. Erickson saw his 13-game streak also come to an end in a 4-1 loss to Colorado on 1/29. Erickson tallied 23 points (14g/9a) during his scoring run. Erickson's 27 goals are tied for the league lead while his 10 power-play goals are second-most in the CHL.

- In two losses to the Colorado Eagles, Levente Szuper faced an average of 45 shots each contest. Despite the two setbacks, the netminder turned aside a total of 82 shots on 90 attempts for a .911 save percentage.

- Despite dropping four straight games (0-3-1), the Sundogs sit just eight points back of second place in the Berry Conference and four points back of sixth-place Odessa.

- Adam Smyth leads all players with 208 PIM and 20 fighting majors.

- CHL All-Star Joey Sides leads the CHL in shorthanded goals (4) and points (7) and ranks second in shorthanded assists (3).

- Kyle Hood's 23 power-play assists are second-most in the CHL, two back of Jackalopes forward Sebastien Thinel.

- Defenseman Tyler Butler leads all defensemen and ranks fifth overall in the CHL in shots (162).

- Rookie Jason Williams leads all first-year players with eight power-play goals.

- Arizona leads the CHL in minor penalties (330), majors (56), power-play goals for (50) and power-play goals against (56).

- The Sundogs own the league's second-best home power play (23.1%) but just the 15th-best road power play (14.7%).

- Arizona is struggling in the second period this season, being outscored 70-45 in the middle frame. The Sundogs are just a combined minus-6 in the first and third periods.

- Arizona is 10-3-5 in one-goal games this season.

Scoring Streaks:

POINTS

GOALS

ASSISTS

Hood - 4 points (1g/3a) in 2 games

Hood - 3 assists in 2 games

Erickson - 2 points (1g/1a) in 2 games

Upcoming Games:

- Tuesday, Feb. 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

- Wednesday, Feb. 2 (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

- Friday, Feb. 4 (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

Upcoming Appearances:

- Buffalo Wild Wings - Thursday, Feb. 3 from 6:00-8:00pm

- Stop by Buffalo Wild Wings in Prescott Valley Thursday from 6:00-8:00pm and visit with forward Cam Keith and defenseman Jamie VanderVeeken.

- Buffalo Wild Wings is located in the Entertainment District across from Harkins Theatres.



Central Hockey League Stories from January 31, 2011


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