Sundogs Notes
February 28, 2011 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Arizona Sundogs News Release
The Arizona Sundogs (19-26-9) maintain their grasp on the Berry Conference's eighth and final playoff spot, despite dropping three straight games in overtime to the Odessa Jackalopes and Laredo Bucks last week.
On Friday, Arizona trailed by a pair of goals early and 3-1 midway through the second period but found themselves in a position to earn two points on the road for the first time in more than two months after goals by Luke Erickson and Mark Kolanos in the second half of the middle frame. Arizona was unable to capitalize on two separate man advantage opportunities in overtime, eventually giving up a shorthanded goal to Mike Ramsay 2:40 into the extra session.
On Saturday, the Sundogs again fought back from a two-goal deficit to force overtime only to fall short in the extra frame, 4-3 to the Jackalopes. Odessa's Jeff Pierce tallied the game winner with 1:54 remaining in the overtime session.
A controversial goal resulted in the Arizona Sundogs' third straight overtime loss Sunday afternoon at Laredo Energy Arena in Laredo, Texas as the Laredo Bucks pulled to within two points of Arizona and the Berry Conference's eighth and final playoff spot with a 6-5 win. Benjamin Dieude-Fauvel was credited with the game-winner 2:35 into the extra frame on a backhand shot that the Sundogs vehemently claimed never crossed the goal line
Arizona is now winless in 12 straight road games (0-7-5). The Sundogs last won on the road on December 11, a 3-2 overtime victory over the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees.
Arizona returns home to Tim's Toyota Center for three straight games against the Mississippi RiverKings (24-25-5) - the first-ever meetings between the two franchises - beginning Wednesday at 7:05pm.
Quick Facts:
All-Time Record: 310 GP (143-139-28)
Season Record: 54 GP (19-26-9, 47 points)
Home Record: 26 GP (11-14-1, 23 points)
Road Record: 27 GP (8-12-8, 24 points)
Overtime: 4-6
Shootout: 1-3
Record Last 5: 0-1-4
Record Last 10: 2-4-4
Streak: L5
Berry Conference Standings: 8th Place
CHL Standings: 16th Place
Goals For/Goals Against: 161/203
Power Play: 59/336 (17.56%, 8th)
Penalty Kill: 68/317 (78.55%, t-17th)
Sundogs Storylines:
- The Sundogs are winless in their last 12 road games (0-7-5). Their last road win dates back to December 11, a 3-2 overtime win over the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees.
- Arizona has lost three straight games and four of its last five contests in overtime.
- The Sundogs have played in six consecutive one-goal games, going 1-1-4 in that span.
- Arizona will battle the Mississippi RiverKings for the first time in franchise history this week at Tim's Toyota Center.
- Rookie Patrick Schafer has recorded five points (2g/3a) and is plus-4 in his last four games.
- Kyle Hood is currently riding a five-game point streak (3g/6a) and has recorded 11 points (3g/8a) in his last seven games, moving him into the team's scoring lead with 59 points (12g/47a). His 47 assists, which also lead the team, are a career high and are fourth-most in the CHL while his 29 power-play assists are tied for most in the league along with Odessa's Sebastien Thinel.
- Cam Keith is currently riding a four-game point streak (3g/4a). Keith is averaging more than a point per game this season with 52 points (16g/26a) in 51 games.
- Luke Erickson also owns a four-game point streak, tallying five points (3g/2a) in that span. Erickson ranks second on the team in scoring with 56 points (32g/24a) in 47 games. Erickson's 32 goals are tied for fourth-most in the CHL.
- The Sundogs own a 13-12-5 record against fellow Berry Conference opponents but are just a 6-14-4 against teams from the Turner Conference.
- Arizona owns a 12-4-9 record in one-goal games this season.
- Mark Kolanos has collected two goals in his first three games back from injured reserve.
- Arizona is 10-2-4 when leading after one period, 11-2-3 when leading after two periods, 6-8-2 when tied after 20 minutes, 4-3-3 when tied after two periods, 3-16-3 when trailing after the first period and 4-21-3 when trailing after 40 minutes of play.
- The Sundogs are 7-16-3 when outshooting its opponent and 12-9-6 when being outshot in a game.
- Craig Macdonald is averaging nearly a point per game since joining the Sundogs, picking up seven points (1g/6a) in eight games.
Scoring Streaks:
POINTS
GOALS
ASSISTS
Hood - 9 points (3g/6a) in 5 games
Hood - 6 assists in 5 games
Keith - 7 points (3g/4a) in 4 games
Keith - 4 assists in 4 games
Erickson - 5 points (3g/2a) in 4 games
Schafer - 5 points (2g/3a) in 4 games
Statistical Leaders:
Goals: Erickson (32)
Assists: Hood (47)
Points: Hood (59)
Plus/Minus: Schafer, Driscoll (+4)
Penalty Minutes: Smyth (258)
Power-Play Goals: Erickson, Keith (12)
Power-Play Assists: Hood (29)
Shorthanded Goals: Sides (5)
Shorthanded Assists: Sides (3)
Game-Winning Goals: Erickson (5)
Goaltending Leaders:
Games Played: Szuper (32)
Minutes Played: Szuper (1,839)
Wins: Szuper (13)
Shutouts: n/a
Goals Against Average: Szuper (3.52)
Save Percentage: Szuper (.900)
Upcoming Games:
- Wednesday, March 2 (7:05pm) vs. Mississippi RiverKings
- 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, March 4 (7:05pm) vs. Mississippi RiverKings
- 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
- Saturday, March 5 (7:05pm) vs. Mississippi RiverKings
- 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 Promotions/Appearances:
- Acorn Montessori School - Tuesday, March 1 from 12:30-1:30pm
- Forwards Jason Visser and Morgan MacLean will celebrate Read Across America Week with students at Acorn Montessori School in Prescott Valley on Tuesday, March 1 from 12:30-1:30pm. Visser and MacLean will read to and talk with students as part of the celebration.
- Arizona Sundogs Casino Night at Bucky's Casino - Tuesday, March 1 from 4:00-7:00pm
- Join the Arizona Sundogs on Tuesday, March 1 from 4:00-7:00pm at Bucky's Casino in Prescott for Arizona Sundogs Casino Night! The first 40 fans wearing Sundogs attire to present their Gold Rush Club Card will receive two (2) free tickets to a Sundogs home game. Bucky's Casino will also be serving $1 hot dogs and $1 drafts. Sundogs players and coaches will be on hand to sign autographs and talk with fans. Have your picture taken with your favorite Arizona Sundogs players and get a print of the photo. Fans can also get a free 2010-11 Arizona Sundogs calendar during the event. KDDL 'Cattle Country' 94.3FM, the Official Radio Home of Arizona Sundogs Hockey, will broadcast live at the event from 4:00-6:00pm. Attendees must be 21 years of age or older.
- Lincoln Elementary School - Wednesday, March 2 from 8:45-9:30am
- Burnie the Sundog will visit students at Lincoln Elementary School in Prescott on Wednesday, March 2 from 8:45-9:30am during a school assembly.
- Lake Valley Elementary School - Thursday, March 3 from 1:15-3:00pm
- Forwards Kyle Hood and Joey Sides will celebrate Read Across America Week with students at Lake Valley Elementary School in Prescott Valley on Thursday, March 3 from 1:15-3:00pm. Hood and Sides will read to and talk with students as part of the celebration.
- Liberty Traditional School - Thursday, March 3 from 6:00-7:00pm
- Defenseman John Wessbecker and goaltender Doug Groenestege will celebrate Read Across America Week with students at Liberty Traditional School in Prescott Valley on Thursday, March 3 from 6:00-7:00pm. Wessbecker and Groenestege will read to and talk with students as part of the celebration.
- Post-Game Player Appearance at Tailgaters Sports Grill - Saturday, March 5
- Fans, join the Arizona Sundogs at Tailgaters Sports Grill in Prescott Valley on Saturday, March 5 immediately after their game against the Mississippi RiverKings. Players will take photos, sign autographs and talk with fans during the appearance.
Central Hockey League Stories from February 28, 2011
- Shots from the Point for February 28, 2011 - CHL
- Mallards Weekly Update - Quad City Mallards
- Weekly Sports League and Franchise Report - OSC Original by Dan Krieger
- Mudbugs Weekly - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
- Beausoleil Earns Player Of Week Honor - Tulsa Oilers
- Mavericks Weekly - Kansas City Mavericks
- Tulsa's Michel Beausoleil Named Oakley CHL Player of the Week - CHL
- Bucks Host Amerks to Begin March - Laredo Bucks
- Big Weekend for Dayton Gems and Fans - Dayton Gems
- Colorado Eagles Weekly Update - Colorado Eagles
- Komets Get Ready for Busy March - Fort Wayne Komets
- Colorado Eagles Help Break Ground on Veterans Plaza - Colorado Eagles
- Thunder Drops Two Heartbreakers, Gains Two Points - Wichita Thunder
- Jacks Sign Goaltender Mike Mole - Odessa Jackalopes
- Dayton Gems: Weekend Review - Dayton Gems
- Sundogs to Visit Elementary Schools, Celebrate Read Across America Week - Arizona Sundogs
- Killer Bees Weekly - Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees
- Oilers Weekly - Tulsa Oilers
- Sundogs Notes - Arizona Sundogs
- Jackalopes Weekly Update - Odessa Jackalopes
- IceMen Weekly Notes - Evansville IceMen
- IceMen Weekly - Evansville IceMen
- PrairieThunder Clinches Franchise's First Playoff Spot - Bloomington PrairieThunder
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.
