Mired in a season that has seen them struggle to a 16-28-9 record, the Arizona Sundogs announced on Sunday that they have relieved head coach
Marco Pietroniro and assistant coach
Chris Bartolone from their respective positions.
David Lohrei has been named the team's new head coach.
CLICK HERE to read release from the Arizona Sundogs and learn more about Lohrei
The Sundogs ended an 11-game road trip on Saturday night in Dayton with a 3-2 shootout loss. They finished the trip with a 3-6-2 record losing their last five games (0-3-2). One-goal losses have been a part of the Sundogs season losing 17 times by a goal (9-8-9), second in the CHL.
Arizona is stuck in the basement of the Berry Conference and over the last three seasons has averaged just 25 wins.
Pietroniro is the only coach the Sundogs organization has known starting with the team in its expansion season (2006-07). In the team’s second season, Pietroniro guided his club to a 39-19-6 record and the Ray Miron Presidents’ Cup Championship thanks to a Finals sweep over the Colorado Eagles.
In his five plus seasons with the Sundogs, Pietroniro has a record of 165-172-38.
Bartolone played four seasons with the Sundogs and was a part of their 2008 Championship team. He has served as the team’s assistant coach since the 2010-11 season.