Sundogs Use Power Play to Take 1-0 Series Lead, Extend Overall Win Streak to Ten Games

March 28, 2008 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Arizona Sundogs News Release


PRESCOTT VALLEY, Ariz. - The Southwest Division Champion Arizona Sundogs opened the 2008 CHL Playoffs against division foe the New Mexico Scorpions Friday night at Tim's Toyota Center in Prescott Valley in a rematch of the 2007 CHL Southern Conference Semifinals. The Scorpions rebounded from a 2-0 series deficit last postseason against Arizona, eventually beating the then first-year club in Game 7. Arizona used its top-rated power play to convert on four of six chances to open a 1-0 series lead in the best-of-seven set against the Scorpions. Cory Urquhart, Alex Leavitt, David Schlemko and Jason Visser combined for 16 points on the night, carrying their team to a 7-6 victory and extending their club's overall winning streak to ten games.

It was apparent early on Friday night that both teams came out well aware of each others' tendencies and styles of play as the two clubs played a conservative game in the opening minutes. Arizona used the league's top regular season power play to strike first and take a 1-0 lead. Just shy of the midway point, CHL scoring champion Alex Leavitt threaded a cross-ice pass to an open Cory Urquhart who lifted a one-time shot over Andrew Martin. Linemate Jason Visser also collected an assist on the play for his first point of the postseason. New Mexico answered back just 33 seconds later to pull even as Kevin Harvey redirected a Ross McCain shot, sending it trickling through Arizona goaltender Rob McVicar. Ray Ortiz also tallied an assist on the equalizer. The Sundogs regained a one-goal lead with just over two minutes remaining in the first frame as Leavitt pushed a rebound past Martin for his first goal and second point of the night. Urquhart also collected his second point of the night along with first-year defenseman David Schlemko.

The Sundogs' top line of Urquhart, Leavitt and Visser combined for the second time of the evening to give their club a 3-1 lead 5:25 into the second period. While on the power play, Leavitt again sent a cross-ice pass to Urquhart who fired a low slap shot through the legs of the New Mexico netminder for his second of the game. Jason Visser gathered his second helper of the game on the Urquhart marker. The Scorpions answered back with two goals in the period's final three-and-a-half minutes to tie the game 3-3 heading into the second intermission. Konrad Reeder collected his club's first goal while on the man advantage on a setup pass from Mitch Stephens at the 16:40 mark to pull back to within one. Rookie forward Dominic Osman followed the Reeder tally with his first playoff goal with 28 seconds remaining in the middle period, beating McVicar glove side with a wrist shot from the top of the circle. Bill McCreary and Aaron MacInnis notched assists on the late-period goal. Shots were nearly identical through the first 40 minutes of play Friday night with New Mexico holding a slight 25-24 advantage.

New Mexico grabbed its first lead of the night 2:17 into the third period as Stephens threw a centering pass from behind the net to a streaking Osman who converted for his second goal of the game. Forward Erik Johnson also helped on the play to give his club a 4-3 lead. Craig Macdonald increased the Scorpions' lead to 5-3 just 55 seconds later with a shot that found the far post past McVicar. Reeder registered his second point and first assist of the night on the Macdonald goal at the 3:12 mark. Arizona quickly responded with three goals in less than two minutes to take a 6-5 lead. Arizona pulled back to within one with its third power play goal of the night at the 5:43 mark. Dan Laperriere and Urquhart used tic-tac-toe passing to spread the New Mexico penalty kill before the veteran Laperriere pinched from his defensive position and collected an Urquhart pass down low to beat Martin for his first point of the postseason. Sundogs captain Chris Bartolone then tied the game at five goals apiece 1:14 later on passes from Leavitt and Urquhart for Arizona's fourth power play goal of the game. The rookie Schlemko followed 32 seconds later with his first goal and second point of the 2008 postseason regaining a one-goal lead. Laperriere and Jason Visser assisted on the go-ahead goal for their second and third points of the night. Schlemko collected his second of the game with 8:35 to play in the third as he used a toe-drag move to go around a New Mexico defender before sneaking a shot near post past Martin to increase Arizona's lead back to two. Arizona native Dusty Collins notched his first point of the night, assisting on the play with Urquhart. The Scorpions used their second power play goal of the game to cut the Sundogs' lead to one as Reeder put a shot on net that was redirected by Christopher Robertson. Vladimir Hartinger tallied his first point of the playoffs with an assist on the play. With time growing short for New Mexico, the visiting club pulled Martin in favor of an extra attacker but referee Tudor Floru whistled MacInnis for interference with 33 seconds to play in regulation, ending the Scorpions' hopes of pulling even.

Rob McVicar appeared in net for Arizona and stopped 30 of 36 shots to win his seventh-straight decision dating back to an 8-3 win over Amarillo on March 8. Andrew Martin blocked 29 of 36 shots for New Mexico in the loss. The Sundogs continued to show dominance with the man advantage, converting on four of six chances Friday night. Arizona's penalty kill held the visiting Scorpions to a 2-for-8 performance on the power play. Shots in the game were even after the final horn, 36-36.

Arizona will look to increase its lead in the series as the two teams face off again tomorrow night in Game 2 of the best-of-seven series at Tim's Toyota Center in Prescott Valley. Game time is set for 7:05pm. Tickets start at just $13 and 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.



Central Hockey League Stories from March 28, 2008


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