Sundogs Take 2-0 Series Lead Over Defending Champs

Sundogs Take 2-0 Series Lead Over Defending Champs
05/03/2008 9:31 PM

PRESCOTT VALLEY, Ariz. – The Arizona Sundogs and Colorado Eagles skated in front of a sold out crowd of 4,810 fans in Game 2 of the Central Hockey League President’s Cup Finals on Saturday night at Tim’s Toyota Center in Prescott Valley. The Sundogs used three goals in the first period to chase Colorado goaltender Sebastien Laplante en route to a 5-1 win and a 2-0 series lead in the championship set. Rob McVicar continued to excel in the playoffs stopping 30 of 31 shots to improve to 9-1 in the playoffs.



Arizona dominated the opening period on Saturday night with perfect special teams play, converting on both power play opportunities as well as tallying a shorthanded goal. Sundogs forward Steve Rymsha converted on a Les Borsheim hooking penalty 2:20 into the game to give his club an early 1-0 lead. Tyler Redenbach and Dan Laperriere collected the game’s first assists on the power play tally. Just past the period’s midway point, Colorado goaltender Sebastien Laplante misplayed the puck in front of his own net, allowing Tyler Liebel to push the puck into the open net uncontested for his first shorthanded marker and third goal of the postseason. Arizona pushed their lead to 3-0 at the 13:40 mark with its second man advantage goal of the frame as Redenbach registered his first goal and second point of the night. Forward Mark Kolanos continued his offensive production in the playoffs with a helper on the Sundogs’ third goal. After allowing three goals on 13 shots, Colorado Head Coach Chris Stewart replaced Laplante with backup netminder Bryan Bridges. Through the first 20 minutes of play, Arizona outshot the visiting Eagles 17-10.



The two teams traded one goal in the second frame as Arizona maintained a three-goal cushion heading into the third period. Erik Adams grabbed his third goal of the postseason to cut the Sundogs’ lead to 3-1 for his club’s first power play goal of the contest at the 4:46 mark. Fraser Filipic and Seth Leonard were credited with assists on the man advantage play, cutting their club’s deficit to two goals. Arizona tallied its third power play goal of the game late in the period, regaining a three-goal lead. Kolanos notched his first goal and second point of the night from Redenbach and Laperriere with 1:38 to play in the period. Colorado outshot Arizona 10-6 in the middle period but the Sundogs held a 23-20 advantage through 40 minutes of hockey.



The Sundogs opened their biggest lead of the game six minutes into the third period with the game’s first even-strength goal. Laperriere patiently skated low into the offensive zone and waited for backup goaltender Bridges to commit before centering a pass to Alex Leavitt in the slot. Leavitt one-timed a shot into the unprotected net for his seventh goal of the playoffs. Redenbach was also credited with an assist on the play for his third helper and fourth point of the game to close out scoring.



Rob McVicar appeared in net for Arizona and stopped 30 of 31 shots to improve to 9-1 in the postseason. Opposite McVicar, Laplante was chased from the ice after allowing three goals on 13 shots in the opening frame. Backup goaltender Bryan Bridges blocked 16 of 18 shots in the relief effort. The Sundogs converted on 50-percent of their power play chances Saturday night, finishing 3-for-6 with the man advantage while holding Colorado to a 1-for-7 performance.



With the win, the Sundogs take a 2-0 series lead heading to Colorado for Games 3 and 4 on Wednesday, May 7 and Friday, May 9. Game 5, if necessary, is scheduled for Sunday, May 11. Game 3 is set for 6:05pm (Arizona time) and can be heard live on 96.7 FM The Wolf, the Official Broadcast Home of the Arizona Sundogs.



I wonder if LaPlante's girlfriend caught her a beatin Sat. night?