Sundogs Open Preseason with 5-4 Comeback Win

Published on October 11, 2008 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Arizona Sundogs News Release


PRESCOTT VALLEY, Ariz. - The Arizona Sundogs, in their first action of the preseason, squared off against the Wichita Thunder Friday night at Tim's Toyota Center in Prescott Valley. Wichita opened a two-goal lead early on but the Sundogs used two shorthanded tallies from Joel Irving and Jon Landry to top the Thunder 5-4 in the first of two preseason meetings between the two clubs.

Just four seconds into the opening frame, returning forward Karl Sellan was whistled for a high sticking major penalty off the draw and an automatic game misconduct. Despite skating shorthanded for the first five minutes as a result, Arizona was able to keep visiting Wichita off the scoreboard. At the 5:28 mark, Wichita was able to break through to take a one-goal lead with Chris Tarkir sending a shot towards Sundogs goaltender Joel Gistedt that deflected off defenseman Jon Landry and into the net. Former Sundogs forward Chris Greene was credited with the only assist. Greene collected his second point and first goal of the night 1:32 later on an unassisted tally that found its way past a screened Gistedt. With 3:01 remaining in the first, the Sundogs cut Wichita's lead in half as Kyle Hood and Joel Irving connected on a shorthanded tally. Hood gained the neutral zone before sending a cross-ice pass to Irving who snuck behind the Thunder defense and beat netminder Ryan Dutton with a low shot glove side. Each team gathered 12 shots on goal in the opening 20 minutes of play.

Midway through the second period, Tarkir netted his second of the game to give his club its second two-goal advantage of the night. Skating down the left side, Tarkir collected a pass from Alex Hager and beat Gistedt with a low shot at the 11:15 mark. Arizona pulled back within one just over three minutes later as Irving notched his second point of the night, finding a streaking Andre Selander open in the slot. Selander capitalized for his first point as an Arizona Sundog. With 1:56 to play in the middle frame, Tyler Liebel pulled his club even at three goals apiece, slipping the puck past Dutton after being hooked to the ice. Veteran defenseman Chris Bartolone and rookie forward Peter Cartwright assisted on the later-period equalizer.

Arizona took its first lead of the game 3:05 into the third frame as Jon Landry tallied the Sundogs' second shorthanded marker of the night, skating in from outside the blue line. The Thunder tied the game at 4-4 with 7:07 remaining in regulation with the game's lone power play goal. Brad Thompson found the back of the net for his first point of the game following a Sundogs turnover deep in their zone. Greg Genovese and Don Melnyk were credited with assists. Less than a minute later, Martin Gascon gathered a loose puck at the Wichita blue line and walked in, firing the eventual game-winner past the glove of Dutton. Robert Vulaj helped on the play. Arizona held a 10-7 advantage in shots in the final period.

Phoenix Coyotes draft pick goaltender Joel Gistedt appeared in net for Arizona and stopped 28 of 32 shots en route to a 5-4 win while Ryan Dutton appeared in net for Wichita and stopped 30 of 35 shots in the loss. The Sundogs were held scoreless on six power play chances while the Thunder converted just once on nine tries.

The two clubs face off again tomorrow at Tim's Toyota Center in the final preseason game for both clubs. Game time is set for 7:05pm. Tickets 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.

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Central Hockey League Stories from October 11, 2008


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