Sundogs Third Period Effort Falls Short in 5-3 Loss

Published on November 16, 2007 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Arizona Sundogs News Release


PRESCOTT VALLEY, Ariz. - Southwest Division opponents the Arizona Sundogs and Odessa Jackalopes skated in game two of back-to-back contests Friday night at the Ector County Coliseum in Odessa, Texas. Opposite Thursday night, a Sundogs third period surge would fall short as the Jackalopes would escape with the 5-3 victory. Despite the loss, Arizona (8-3-1) still holds a one-point lead over second-place Odessa (8-4-0) in the Southwest Division.

As they did on Thursday night, the Odessa Jackalopes grabbed the game's first lead on the lone first period marker. Following a Sean Sullivan high sticking penalty, Odessa defenseman Mario Joly found the back of the net past Sundogs netminder Andrew Gallant at the 13:27 mark to give his club a 1-0 lead. Dominic Leveille and Josh Chase collected assists on the powerplay goal.

The Jackalopes needed just one minute of the second period to take a two-goal lead as Leveille notched his first goal and second point of the night. Joly and Sebastien Thinel teamed up to find an open Leveille to the left of Gallant for Odessa's second tally. The Jackalopes kept the Sundogs off the scoreboard for the second consecutive period despite being outshot by the visiting club by a 13-7 margin.

Sundogs defenseman Sean Sullivan got his club on the board 5:38 into the third period on his second goal in as many nights. Sullivan fired a shot through Odessa netminder Alexandre Vincent who was screened on the play to cut the Jackalopes' lead to one. Forwards Karl Sellan and Chris Greene tallied helpers on the play. Just 1:41 passed following the Sullivan goal before Arizona pulled even at 2-2. Center Alex Leavitt would extend his point streak to nine games, notching his ninth of the year on passes from Jason Visser and Mark Kolanos at the 7:19 mark. Just shy of the midway point, Arizona capitalized on its first powerplay chance in four tries as Leavitt fed a streaking David Schlemko between the circles. Schlemko took the pass and fired a wrist shot past Vincent to give his club its first lead of the game. Sullivan also assisted on the play for his second point of the game. Odessa answered back after trailing for the first time Friday night with goals by Nathan Ward and John Osborne just 68 seconds apart. Josh Legge and Thinel assisted on the Ward marker to tie the game at 3-3 and Chris Brannen was credited with an assist on the Osborne goal, regaining for a 4-3 advantage with 6:04 to play in regulation. With time winding down and the Sundogs empty in favor of an extra attacker, Odessa's Ward grabbed an insurance goal to secure the 5-3 win.

Sundogs netminder Andrew Gallant suffered his first professional loss Friday night, blocking 30 of 34 shots while Odessa netminder Alexandre Vincent deflected 28 of 31 shots to remain undefeated with a 4-0-0 record. Both clubs converted on just one powerplay chance in the contest. Arizona finished 1-for-4 with the man advantage while Odessa gathered a 1-for-8 mark.

The Sundogs now travel to Rio Rancho, New Mexico to take on the Scorpions Sunday afternoon. Game time is set for 3:15pm (Arizona time) and can be heard live on 96.7 FM The Wolf, the Official Broadcast Home of the Arizona Sundogs.

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Central Hockey League Stories from November 16, 2007


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