Sundogs Win Pivotal Matchup in Shootout

February 27, 2009 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Arizona Sundogs News Release


PRESCOTT VALLEY, Ariz. - In a showdown of two teams tied for the Southern Conference's fifth and final playoff spot, the Arizona Sundogs and Corpus Christi IceRays battled one and other Friday night at the AmericanBank Center in Southern Texas. Each team carried 22 wins and 48 points into the contest, both looking to grab hold of sole possession of the final playoff spot with roughly three weeks remaining in the regular season. In their second shootout in as many nights, the Sundogs topped the IceRays 1-0 to take over sole possession of the fifth and final playoff spot, one point ahead of Corpus Christi with nine games to play.

Both teams displayed their desperation Friday night in a game that more resembled a playoff contest than that of a regular season matchup as the two clubs skated to a scoreless tie after 65 minutes of play. Corpus Christi outshot Arizona 33-25 in the game but each goaltender turned aside each shot faced, keeping the opposing squad off the scoreboard and forcing a shootout.

The penalty kill units for both teams were also showcased throughout regulation Friday night as both teams killed off every shorthanded situation they faced. The visiting Sundogs held the IceRays scoreless on five power play chances while Corpus Christi blanked Arizona on six man-advantage opportunities.

Marco Emond denied a Mark Tobin breakaway chance late in the third and Arizona responded to control the remaining minute-and-a-half of regulation, garnering several quality scoring chances before the overtime frame.

Both teams also had opportunities to end the game during the five-minute extra session. Chris Richards sent a backhand attempt towards Emond late in the frame but was denied and Jason Lawmaster was left open between the circles but missed wide on a pass from Kyle Hood.

Held scoreless on three attempts the previous night, Arizona converted on its first two shootout attempts on netminder Kris Tebbs en route to the 1-0 shootout victory. Karl Sellan beat Tebbs low glove side to open the shootout and Hood followed with what would prove to be the eventual game winner, lifting a backhand shot over the sprawled-out goaltender. Emond turned aside four of five IceRays skaters including Richards to secure the win.

Emond (15-15-3) turned aside all 33 shots faced earning his second shutout of the season while Tebbs stopped the 24 shots he faced through 65 minutes of play prior to the shootout. With the win, the Sundogs sit one point ahead of Corpus Christi and four points ahead of New Mexico for the South's final playoff spot.

After falling 5-4 in a shootout to the Bucks on Thursday night, Arizona (23-28-4) returns to Laredo to close out their four-game road trip Saturday. Game time is set for 6:30pm (Arizona time) and can be heard live on 96.7 FM The Wolf, the Official Broadcast Home of the Arizona Sundogs.



Central Hockey League Stories from February 27, 2009


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