Ceci Leads Bucks To 3-1 Win: Series Tied 1-1
Published on April 15, 2008 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Laredo Bucks News Release
LAREDO, TX- The Laredo Bucks beat the Arizona Sundogs 3-1 Tuesday night in game two of the Central Hockey League's Southern Conference Finals, in front of 4,575 fans at the Laredo Entertainment Center. The best of seven series is now tied at a game apiece, with the pivotal game three Friday night in Arizona. Game time will be 9:05pm Laredo time.
With the win the Bucks improve to 11-6 all-time when playing game two of a series.
Bucks goaltender John Ceci came up big in net for Laredo, as he stopped 30 of 31 Sundogs shots he faced. Ceci improved to 2-0 in his postseason career, as he held the powerful Arizona offense to just one goal.
Laredo out shot Arizona for the second straight night, this time 36-31.
Laredo came out and took an early 1-0 lead with a little over nine minutes left in the first period as they were opportunistic. Steve Simoes scored his first goal of the playoffs as he picked up a loose puck in the high slot in the Sundogs end and whipped a shot past Emond. The tally was Simoes' 13 career playoff goal, with Igor Agarunov and Andrew Desjardins picked up assists on the play.
The Bucks would increase their lead to 2-0 with 6:55 left in the first period when they struck on the power-play. Veteran Paul Elliott found Chris Korchinski at the bottom of the left circle, Korchinski received the pass and lifted a backhander past Emond. It was Korchinski's fourth tally of the playoffs. Desjardins' picked up his second assist of the game. Laredo out shot Arizona in the first period 19-14.
Arizona cut the Bucks lead in half to 2-1 at the 5:46 mark of the second period as they struck back on the power-play. Cory Urquhart was left alone in the high slot and took a pass from Alex Leavitt and whipped a shot past Ceci. Urquhart extends his goal scoring streak to 18 games dating back to the regular season. The 18 game goal scoring streak is tops all-time in professional hockey, including the NHL, AHL, ECHL, and CHL.
The two teams combined for 20 minutes of penalties in the second period, 12 for Laredo and eight for Arizona. The Sundogs went 1-6 on the power-play in the second period.
Arizona out shot Laredo in the second period 8-6.
The Bucks would tack on another goal at the 7:00 mark of the third period to make it 3-1. On the night the Bucks unveiled his action figure, James Hiebert sent a rebound from the right circle past Emond. After the goal Hiebert tossed his stick into the stands where it landed in third row. He was then given a misconduct penalty. It was the second straight game that Hiebert scored, and it was his 31st career playoff tally.
Emond took the loss as he set aside 33 of 36 shots. Emond fell to 3-2 all-time against his former team in the playoffs (1-1 this series).
The series now shifts to Arizona for games three, four, and five. The Bucks and Sundogs will battle at Tim's Toyota Center in game three Friday night at 9:05pm Laredo time, with game four on Saturday night.
*Boxscore* http://www.pointstreak.com/prostats/boxscore.html?gameid=692123
*Bucks Notes*
*The Bucks were 1-7 on the power-play, while the Sundogs were 1-11 with the man advantage
*The Bucks improve to 56-30 all-time in the playoffs, including 36-10 at home
*The Bucks improve to 32-6-2 when they score first this season (4-1 in the playoffs)
*The Bucks improve to 22-2-2 when leading after the first period this season (3-0 in the playoffs)
*The Bucks improve to 35-2-1 when leading after two periods this season (5-0 in the playoffs)
*Westwind Homes Southern Conference Finals* Monday April 14th, Game 1: Sundogs 6, @Laredo 4: Bucks trail series 1-0 Tuesday April 15th, Game 2: @Laredo 3, Arizona 1: Series tied 1-1 Friday April 18th, Game 3, Laredo @Arizona, 7:05pm PST (9:05pm CST) Saturday April 19th Game 4, Laredo @Arizona, 7:05pm PST (9:05pm CST) Monday April 21st Game 5, Laredo @Arizona, 7:05pm PST (9:05pm CST) Friday April 25th Game 6, Arizona @Laredo, 7:30pm* Saturday April 26th Game 7, Arizona @Laredo, 7:30pm* *If Necessary
Central Hockey League Stories from April 15, 2008
- Bucks, Lakeside Pharmacy Unveil Hiebert Action Figure - Laredo Bucks
- Ceci Leads Bucks To 3-1 Win: Series Tied 1-1 - Laredo Bucks
- Sundogs Drop Game 2 to Laredo 3-1, Series Tied 1-1 - Arizona Sundogs
- Local Businesses Rush For Rapid City Rush - Rapid City Rush
- Hurricanes' Metsola Named ADT CHL Goaltender Of The Week - CHL
- Ryan White Of The Calgary Hitmen Named CHL Player Of The Week - CHL
- Urquhart Sets New High In All Of Professional Hockey With 17-Game Goal Scoring Streak - Arizona Sundogs
- Bucks Host Sundogs In Crucial Game Two Tonight: $5 Tickets Available - Laredo Bucks
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