Another third period deficit, another win for the El Paso Buzzards
Published on April 2, 2002 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
El Paso Buzzards News Release
But this particular victory vaults El Paso out of the first round of the playoffs for the first time in four seasons, as the Buzzards became the first team this season to defeat the Odessa Jackalopes twice consecutively, earning a 3-1 win in front of 3,523 at the Ector County Coliseum.
An emotional repeat of Game Four â which saw El Paso erase a two-goal deficit in the third period to win 4-3 â the game didn't start well for the Buzzards.
In the first period Odessa's Jeff Haydar beat Buzzards goaltender Jeff Levy at 3:13. Skating in from the right circle, Haydar fired a wobbly shot that appeared to break in like a curve ball, beating Levy over his right shoulder.
The Jackalopes top-rated defense also held El Paso to just six shots on net in the first period, five in the second period, and virtually no rebounds came to the Buzzards for second chances.
But the third period has been Buzzard bread and butter all season, as El Paso began to apply the pressure on Odessa netminder Mike Gorman, looking for the breakthrough.
It only took a minute.
At 1:00 of the third period, Mike Rees shot from left point found its way through Van Burgess' screen and past Gorman to give the Buzzards the hope they were looking for.
El Paso then took their toe-hold and on a rampage up the ice Justin Van Parys found the puck in a scrum near the crease and scooted it past Gorman at 6:03 for a 2-1 Buzzards lead.
Then, with just under 10 minutes left and the Jackalopes forced to come forward to create offense, Troy Linna found Aaron Phillips cheating up the right wing. Linna's pass sprung Phillips on the breakaway where he deked Gorman to the forehand for the up-close clincher.
Odessa outshot El Paso 34-24, but as he has in many big games, Levy rose to the occasion, stopping the Jackalopes the rest of the way after the early goal.
The Buzzards win puts them in the best-of-seven Southern Conference championship series against the Austin IceBats.
El Paso went 1-1 against the IceBats in the regular season, losing 7-4 on Nov. 2 and winning 5-3 Feb. 9, with both games in Austin.
Games One and Two are set for this Friday and Saturday in the El Paso County Coliseum. Face off is 7:05 p.m. for both games.
Central Hockey League Stories from April 2, 2002
- Another third period deficit, another win for the El Paso Buzzards - El Paso Buzzards
- Thunder, Oilers fined, suspended for March 16th brawl - Wichita Thunder
- Scorps captain moves behind the bench - New Mexico Scorpions
- Blair Manning Makes Impression in Debut with Utah - San Antonio Iguanas
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