Bucks Advance to Conference Finals
Published on April 2, 2003 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Laredo Bucks News Release
(4/02/03) After winning their first-ever playoff series, the Laredo Bucks are preparing for a best-of-seven series against Austin in the Central Hockey League's Southern Conference finals. The Bucks eliminated the Odessa Jackalopes with Tuesday's 3-2 victory in Odessa. The dramatic victory gave the Bucks a three-games-to-two series win.
The Bucks scored first on Chris Grenville's power-play goal at 11:56 of the first period. After Odessa tied the game early in the second period, Michel Periard put the Bucks ahead to stay at the 7:39 mark with his third goal in three playoff games. At the 11:15 mark, Andy Lundbohm gave the Bucks a 3-1 lead. Although Scott Hillman's goal at 6:15 of the third period brought the Jackalopes within a goal, goaltender Marc-Andre Leclerc and the Bucks preserved the lead. Leclerc finished the game with 30 saves, including several in the closing seconds of the game.
The Austin Ice Bats compiled a 46-14-4 record and 96 points in the regular season to finish with the best record in the Central Hockey League. The defending Southern Conference champions won seven of ten regular-season meetings with the Bucks.
The Bucks will host Games Three and Four of the conference finals next Tuesday and Thursday at the Laredo Entertainment Center. Tickets are now on sale at the arena box office and all Ticketmaster ticket centers. To charge by phone, call (956) 712-1566. To purchase online, visit www.ticketmaster.com. The complete series schedule follows. For more information, call (956) 718-BUCKS.
PLAYOFF SCHEDULE
Wednesday
5:00pm Bucks team bus leaves Laredo Entertainment Center
Thursday
11:00am practice at Chaparral Ice Center in Austin
8:00pm Game One: Bucks vs. Austin at Chaparral Ice Center
Friday OFF
Saturday
TBA practice in San Antonio
Sunday
7:00pm
Game Two: Bucks vs. Austin at Chaparral Ice Center
post-game return to Laredo
Tuesday
10:00am practice at Laredo Entertainment Center
7:30pm GAME THREE: BUCKS VS. AUSTIN @ LEC
Wednesday TBA practice at Laredo Entertainment Center
Thursday
10:00am practice at Laredo Entertainment Center
7:30pm
GAME FOUR: BUCKS VS. AUSTIN @ LEC
Friday
7:30pm Game Five: Bucks vs. Austin at Travis County Expo Center*
Saturday
7:30pm
GAME SIX: BUCKS VS. AUSTIN* AT
LEC
Tues. 4/15
7:30pm Game Seven: Bucks vs. Austin at Travis County Expo Center*
*if necessary
Central Hockey League Stories from April 2, 2003
- President's Cup Playoffs Roll Along - CHL
- Bucks Advance to Conference Finals - Laredo Bucks
- Ice Waiting on Northern Conference Finals Opponent - Indianapolis Ice
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