Dog Caller - New Blood Has Sundogs Racing Toward The Playoffs

Tuesday night, the Sundogs met Tulsa and Arizona would score first with a goal by forward Chad Nehring, assisted by Zach Firlotte and Ron Myers, just 2:13 into the opening frame. The Oilers would score twice to take a one goal lead into the first intermission. Midway through the middle frame, new addition forward Sebastien Geoffrion would tie the game, assisted by Johan Ryd and Cody Purves. Late in the second, with his team on the power play, Sundogs' defenseman Matt McCready would give his team the lead, assisted by Jeff Kyrzakos and Derek LeBlanc. Five minutes into the final frame, Arizona Captain and forward Jason Morgan would score, assisted by Jeff Kyrzakos and Kevin Baker, and begin an offensive breakout by his team. Less than three minutes later, another new addition to the Sundogs forward Kevin Baker would score, assisted by Karl Linden. Forward Jeff Kyrzakos would increase Arizona's lead, assisted by Zach Firlotte and Kevin Baker, midway through the third. Kevin Baker would score his second of the night with the Sundogs on the power play late in the game, assisted by Matt McCready and Jason Morgan, to give his team the 7-2 victory. Arizona had 40 shots on goal, and goalie Adam Russo turned away 17 of the 19 shots he faced.

The Sundogs and Oilers would meet again on Wednesday and the night would belong to Arizona. Late in the opening frame, forward Kevin Baker would get his team on the board with a power play goal, assisted by Derek LeBlanc and Jeff Kyrzakos. Early in the second, with the Sundogs again on the power play, forward Chad Nehring would score, assisted by Johan Ryd and Matt McCready. The power play would continue to benefit Arizona as defenseman Matt McCready would score late in the second, assisted by Kevin Baker and Jeff Kyrzakos. In the third, Kevin Baker would collect his second power play goal of the night, assisted by Mario Larocque. Defenseman Mario Larocque would finish Arizona's offensive output with an even-strength goal midway through the third, assisted by Jason Morgan and Kevin Baker, earning the 5-0 victory for the Sundogs. Arizona totaled 40 shots on goal, and goalie Adam Russo made 22 saves on 22 shots.

Friday, the Sundogs would face the Brahmas and Fort Worth would get the only goal of the opening period. Arizona forward Sebastien Geoffrion would get his team on the board with a goal midway through the second period, assisted by Cody Purves and Johan Ryd. Sundogs' forward Kevin Baker would score less than a minute later, assisted by Matt McCready and Jeff Kyrzakos, to give his team the lead. Still in the middle frame and on the power play, forward Jason Morgan would extend his team's lead, assisted by Matt McCready and Derek LeBlanc. The Brahmas would score twice in the third period to send the game into overtime. Neither team would light the lamp in the extra frame and the game would go to a shootout. In the shootout, the Brahmas would score twice while only Jason Morgan would score for Arizona and Fort Worth would get the 4-3 win. The Sundogs had 21 shots on goal, and goalie Adam Russo turned away 22 of the 25 shots he faced.

Arizona and Fort Worth would meet again on Saturday and again the Brahmas would score first. Sundogs' defenseman Mario Larocque would tie the game before the first intermission, assisted by Zach Firlotte and Jason Morgan. Neither team would score in the second period. Arizona forward Kevin Baker would score an unassisted goal early in the third period and earn his team the 2-1 victory. The Sundogs totaled 19 shots on goal, and goalie Adam Russo made 14 saves on 15 shots.

On Monday, Arizona Sundogs forward Kevin Baker was been named the Oakley Central Hockey League Player of the Week for the period ending March 10, 2013. In his first week of play with the Sundogs, the veteran played four games, collecting six goals, four assists and a +4 rating. Baker was also named the First Star of the Week in the CHL for the same time period.

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Sixty games into the season, Arizona is 28-26-6 and is in 8th place with 62 points, 17 points out of 1^st place and holding onto the final playoff spot by 8 points.

The Sundogs' special teams currently has a 14.11% power play percentage and an 82.63% penalty kill percentage with 4 shorthanded goals scored and 4 allowed.

On 3/2 forward Jake Hauswirth was placed on 7-day IR, forward Kevin Petovello was placed on 7-day IR, and defenseman Gord Burnett was placed on 14-day IR; On 3/5 defenseman Mike Glaicar was granted leave by the league, forward Kevin Baker signed a contract; defenseman Karl Linden was activated from IR, and forward Sebastien Geoffrion signed a contract; On 3/8 defenseman Paul Kurceba was placed on 14-day IR; 3/9 defenseman Keith Wynn was activated from IR and defenseman Gord Burnett was moved from 14-day IR to season ending IR.

Forward Chad Nehring continues to lead the Sundogs in both goals (30) and points (52).

Arizona plays it final regular-season road game tonight against the Allen Americans before returning home to play the Wichita Thunder on Friday and Saturday. The puck drops at 7:05pm for the home games. On March 16, the Sundogs will be wearing specialty jerseys that will be auctioned off after the game and the ice will be colored green.