Sundogs Take 3-2 Series Lead with 2-1 Victory
Published on April 22, 2008 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Arizona Sundogs News Release
PRESCOTT VALLEY, Ariz. - The Arizona Sundogs took a 3-2 lead in their best-of-7 Southern Conference Finals series against the Laredo Bucks on Monday night with a 2-1 victory. Cory Urquhart and Alex Leavitt found their way back onto the score sheet while Karl Sellan collected the game winner with eight minutes to play in regulation. Goaltender Rob McVicar blocked 30 of 31 shots en route to his 12th straight decision dating back to the regular season and remains unbeaten in the 2008 playoffs, improving to 6-0.
Neither team would find the back of the net in the opening 20 minutes of Game 5 on Monday night, but the dislike for one and other shared between the two clubs was apparent as 22 penalty minutes were handed out, 10 of which for roughing. Laredo finished the period going 0-for-1 with the man advantage while Arizona was 0-for-4 on the power play. The visiting Bucks held a slight 11-8 advantage in shots in the first period but Arizona's Rob McVicar and Laredo's John Ceci turned away every shot faced.
The scoreless tie was broken in the second, but as was the case in the first period, the Southern Conference's top two teams would match each other to remain even after 40 minutes of hockey. Laredo was credited with its first goal of the game after a discussion between referee Paul DePuydt and linesmen Jordan Crowell and Kyle Simms. The Sundogs claimed that the puck was directed into the net as a result of a hand pass but after review it was ruled a goal. Steve Simoes was credited with his second goal of the postseason from Joshua Patterson and Andrew Desjardins to give his club a 1-0 lead at the 11:01 mark. Arizona answered back seven minutes later to tie the game at one goal apiece. After being held off the score sheet for two-straight games, the duo of Alex Leavitt and Cory Urquhart responded for the second period equalizer. Leavitt collected a pass from defenseman David Schlemko and skated unharmed down the ice before sending a pass across the top of the goal crease to Urquhart. Left uncovered, Urquhart netted his 12th goal of the playoffs, sending a forehand shot over a sprawled-out John Ceci with 1:54 remaining in the middle frame. Through the first two periods of play, the Bucks held a 27-20 cushion in shots, outshooting Arizona by a 16-12 mark in the second.
The Sundogs and Bucks continued to battle but the third period would be dominated by Arizona. At the 12:00 mark of the period, Karl Sellan broke the 1-1 tie for his second goal of the playoffs. Veteran defenseman and player/assistant coach Dan Laperriere pinched from his defensive position to collect a loose puck before slipping a cross-ice pass to Sellan between the circles. Sellan sent a backhand effort past Ceci's left leg for the eventual game winner and 3-2 series lead. Tyler Redenbach registered his eighth helper of the playoffs with an assist on the game-winning marker.
Rob McVicar continued to excel in net, stopping 30 of 31 shots to remain unbeaten in the playoffs. With the win, McVicar extends his unbeaten streak to 12 games dating back to the regular season. John Ceci appeared in goal for Laredo and suffered his first loss of the postseason, blocking 31 of 33 shots on goal. Neither team was unable to convert on the power play Monday night as the Sundogs went 0-for-7 with the man advantage while Laredo finished 0-for-3 on the power play.
Arizona now travels to Laredo, Texas for Game 6 on Friday, April 25, looking to advance to their first-ever Ray Miron President's Cup Finals. Friday's game is set for 5:30pm (Arizona time). The Sundogs will be hosting their second viewing party at Tim's Toyota Center. Doors open at 5:00pm and admission is just $5. The town of Prescott Valley will be renting ice skates for $5 as the ice will be available for open skate. The game can also be heard live on 96.7 FM The Wolf, the Official Broadcast Home of the Arizona Sundogs. For more information please contact the Arizona Sundogs at (928) 772-5555.
Central Hockey League Stories from April 22, 2008
- CHL announces suspensions following game six incidents - CHL
- League Hands Down Suspensions, Fines for Post-Game Fracas - Colorado Eagles
- Mudbugs Season In Review - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
- Sundogs Take 3-2 Series Lead with 2-1 Victory - Arizona Sundogs
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