Sundogs' Second Period Burst Secures First Win

October 23, 2009 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Arizona Sundogs News Release


PRESCOTT VALLEY, Ariz. - The Arizona Sundogs used a four-goal second period to secure their first win of the season while handing the Rapid City Rush its first loss of the year, 5-4. Arizona set a new franchise record, scoring three goals in just 56 seconds in the middle frame. Konrad Reeder led the team with three assists while Jason Visser tallied twice in the win.

Rapid City took a 1-0 lead into the first intermission Friday night as forward Jon Pelle grabbed his first goal of the year on his team's first shot of the night. Pelle redirected a Jim Henkemeyer shot from the point past Sundogs goaltender JF Perras just 53 seconds into the contest after a turnover by Arizona deep in its own zone. Rich Hansen also recorded an assist on the play. The visiting Sundogs settled in shortly thereafter, eventually outshooting the Rush 11-7 in the opening period.

Much like it did in the first, the Rush tallied inside the second period's opening minute of play but Arizona exploded with four unanswered goals and three separated by less than a minute, chasing starting netminder Miguel Beaudry and taking a 4-2 lead after 40 minutes of play. Rapid City's Les Reaney opened scoring in the frame, splitting the Sundogs defense and sliding a shot five-hole through Perras just 48 seconds into the period, his first of the season. Living up to their offensive potential, the Sundogs responded to score three goals in 56 seconds - the fastest three goals in franchise history - before tacking on a fourth a minute and a half later. The team's previous record for fastest three goals was 65 seconds, set during the 2007-08 season in a record-setting 7-6 come-from-behind win over the Rocky Mountain Rage on March 19.

Torren Delforte opened the flood gates with his second of the season on a centering feed from linemates Kyle Hood and Linus Fagemo. Stationed on the half boards, Hood intercepted a pass and found Delforte between the circles. Potvin pulled his club even at two goals apiece 28 seconds later, beating Beaudry on a drop pass from Scott Thauwald. Visser netted his first of two goals in the period, sending a one-time shot past Beaudry less than 30 seconds later on a cross-ice feed from Konrad Reeder to give Arizona its first lead of the season. The two combined again with 1:58 to play in the period as Visser beat backup goaltender Danny Battochio on his first shot faced in relief of Beaudry. The Sundogs outshot Rapid City 20-14 in the frame for a two-period 31-31 advantage.

Rapid City fought back with goals by Reaney and Brendan Cook but an offensive rush led by recently re-signed defenseman Jon Landry secured the Sundogs' first win of the year. Reaney grabbed his second of the game, an unassisted effort, three minutes into the third, again beating Perras five-hole. With his club shorthanded, Cook knotted the game at 4-4 just past the period's midway point with his second of the year off an offensive zone faceoff. With just over four minutes to play in regulation, Landry advanced the puck between the blue lines and gained the offensive zone before beating Battochio for his first point in just his second game back with the team. Reeder notched his third helper of the night on the play along with Kevin Gardner.

Perras grabbed his and his club's first win of the season with a 29-save performance Friday night. Beaudry was nearly perfect through 40 minutes of play before surrendering three goals late in the second period. Battochio allowed two goals on 21 shots in the loss. Arizona outshot Rapid City 49-33 in the contest. Neither team was able to find the back of the net on the power play as the Sundogs finished 0-for-7 with the man advantage. The Rush was held scoreless on six advantages.

Arizona improves to 1-3-0 on the year while Rapid City falls to 2-1-0. The two teams face off again tomorrow at 6:05pm. The game can be heard live on KDDL 'Cattle Country' 94.3FM, the Official Radio Home of the Arizona Sundogs, and on www.cattlecountryradio.com.

Electronic box score: http://www.pointstreak.com/prostats/boxscore.html?gameid=1067445



Central Hockey League Stories from October 23, 2009


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