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On Saturday night, the Sundogs took the ice against the Tulsa Oilers. The teams would look to go scoreless in the opening period, until Arizona forward Ron Myers, assisted by Matt McCready, would light the lamp with just 25 seconds left in the first. Neither team would score in the middle frame, but less than 2 minutes into the third frame the Sundogs new addition, defenseman Kirill Tulupov, would score on the power play, assisted by Jason Morgan. The final minute of the period would be the most thrilling as Tulsa would break the shutout with a shorthanded goal with 32 seconds left. With the Oilers' goalie pulled, Arizona forward Johan Ryd, assisted by Ron Myers, would get the empty-netter to seal the 3-1 victory. The Sundogs totaled 30 shots on goal, and goalie Adam Russo made 29 saves on 30 shots.
Kibble
There are two big events happening this week at Tim's Toyota Center.
Captain Morgan Plays 1,000
On Tuesday February 26th, Arizona Captain Jason Morgan will play his 1,000th professional game when he takes the ice against the Tulsa Oilers. The Kitchener, Ontario native was the 118th pick by the Los Angeles Kings in the fifth round of the 1995 NHL Entry Draft. From 1995-1998, Morgan played 14 games in his first three years with the L.A. Kings. His first minor league stop was with the Phoenix Roadrunners in 1996-97. By 2000-01, he had worked his way back up with the now-defunct American Hockey League St. John (Canada) Flames, who won the AHL's Calder Cup championship that season. The 6-foot-1, 210-pounder signed a two-year deal with the Calgary Flames in 2003-2004. He played 70% season in the NHL, which included a short time with the Nashville Predators. Later, in 2005-2006 and 2006-2007, Morgan competed in a combined 11 NHL games for the Chicago Blackhawks and the Minnesota Wild. Injuries then took their toll on Morgan's career and he has not returned to the NHL. The forward would try his hand in Europe, but returned to the States in 2010.
This is his first season as Captain of the Sundogs and he has been a leader both on and off the ice. Earlier this season Arizona's coach resigned suddenly and Morgan stepped in as Player-Coach. Under their Captain, the Sundogs went 3-0-0. Morgan wants to play again next season, saying a full-time coaching opportunity from Arizona would be the only thing to change his mind.
Sundogs Help Raise Funds for Fallen Lieutenant
March, 1, 2013 at 7:05PM
Arizona Sundogs vs. Rapid City Rush
The Arizona Sundogs, the Prescott Valley Police Department's K-9 Unit and the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office have been working together to bring this fundraising opportunity to light. With the support of the Fain Signature Group, Global Entertainment (Tim's Toyota Center) and Gettix, the Sundogs' ticketing agent, $3 of every ticket purchased for March 1st game will be donated back to Lt. Loughrige's surviving family members. Brad Fain, of Fain Signature Group graciously promised to match the $1 Sundogs' contributions made through the purchase of Sundogs tickets, if the game sells out.
Lt. Loughrige and his son, Joseph Arter, 17 a senior at Prescott High School were both killed in a single vehicle collision on State Route Highway 69 on January 11, 2013. At the time of the crash Lt. Loughrige was off-duty and unfortunately his family forfeited any department death benefits.
For those that are unable to attend the March 1, Sundogs game but are still interested in contributing they may purchase game tickets and the Sundogs staff will allocate them to a charity on your behalf. For further details about the fundraiser please contact the Arizona Sundogs at (928) 759-6600.
Dog Bites
Fifty-three games into the season, Arizona is 24-24-5 and is in 7th place with 53 points, 18 points out of 1st place.
The Sundogs' special teams currently has a 12.68% power play percentage and an 81.74% penalty kill percentage with 4 shorthanded goals scored and 3 allowed.
On 2/20 defenseman Matt Register was placed on team suspension; On 2/21 defenseman Mike Glaicar was moved from 7-day to 14-day IR.
Forward Chad Nehring continues to lead the Sundogs in both goals (27) and points (48).
The Sundogs play three home games this week; tonight against the Tulsa Oilers at 6:05pm and then Friday and Saturday against the Rapid City Rush at 7:05pm.