Bucks and Eagles Begin President\'s Cup Finals Tuesday
Published on April 25, 2005 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Laredo Bucks News Release
LOVELAND, Colorado â The 2004-2005 Ray Miron President's Cup Finals begin Tuesday evening at the Budweiser Events Center in Loveland, Colorado, home of the Colorado Eagles, who will face the defending champion Laredo Bucks for the Central Hockey League title. Colorado, winners of the Governors' Cup this season with the best record during the regular season, advances after eliminating Tulsa in five games in the opening round of the playoffs, and Wichita in six games in the Northern Conference Finals. Laredo, who needed an overtime victory in Game Seven against San Angelo in the opening round, dispatched Amarillo in a four game series sweep to represent the Southern Conference. Game Two will be Wednesday also in Colorado. Games Three, Four and Five of the best of seven series, as necessary, are set for the Laredo Entertainment Center. Game Three is Sunday night at the LEC with the face off set for 7 p.m. For playoff tickets or more information call the Bucks office at (956) 718-BUCKS (2825) or log onto www.laredobucks.com.
The meeting features the top club from the regular season in Colorado, with a record of 43-10-7, against the hottest team entering the playoffs in Laredo, finishing their year with a mark of 12-0-1 in their last 13 outings. Two clubs loaded with talent, with the last two CHL Most Valuable Players (Colorado's Greg Pankewicz this season and Laredo's Jeff Bes in 03-04) and CHL Rookies of the Year (Colorado's Tyler Weiman this season and Laredo's David Guerrera in 03-04), will compete in what is expected to be a highly competitive and entertaining conclusion to the CHL season.
While Colorado makes their first ever Finals appearance, Laredo is bidding to become the fifth team in CHL/WPHL history to repeat as champions, most recently accomplished by the Memphis RiverKings in 01/02 and 02/03. All seven potential Ray Miron President's Cup Finals games will be available live via CHLTV.com, and Games 1 and 6 (if necessary) will be broadcast live on Denver's Altitude Sports & Entertainment.
Balanced scoring, solid defensive play and outstanding goaltending have been Colorado's trademark all season long. Offensively, Greg Pankewicz has paced the club with nine goals and three assists in the post-season following up his CHL Most Valuable Player honor in the regular season. 10 Eagles have seven or more points in the playoffs, with Karlis Zirnis (4 goals, 8 assists) and Riley Nelson (5 goals, seven assists) sharing the team scoring lead with Pankewicz. While the Eagles power play has been serviceable (12 goals in 67 opportunities), they have been extremely dangerous shorthanded, scoring five times while killing penalties. In goal, CHL Rookie of the Year and Most Outstanding Goaltender Tyler Weiman is expected to continue handling the bulk of the duties despite his playoff goals against average being nearly a full point (2.71 to 1.80) higher than during the regular season.
In Laredo, the Bucks enter the Finals on a roll, winners of five straight post-season games after appearing to struggle through parts of the regular season. After opening the season 6-9-1 in their first 16 games, Laredo then won eight straight, and won 12 of their last 13 to secure the top seed in the Southern Conference playoffs. Offensively, this is not the team that led the CHL with 4.09 goals for per game in 03-04, struggling in particular in road games with just four goals in five games compared to 22 goals in six home contests. Eight Bucks have five or more playoff points, including team co-leaders Jeff Bes (six goals, five assists) and James Hiebert (four goals, seven assists). Jeremy Symington (3-2, 1.60 GAA) and David Guerrera (5-1, 2.09) have provided exceptional goaltending in the playoffs and are expected to continue splitting the workload in the Laredo net.
Both teams have enjoyed large home crowds throughout the playoffs, rewarding their fans with perfect records on home ice. Colorado is an unblemished 5-0 at the Budweiser Events Center, selling out (5,289) each contest, while Laredo has averaged 5,883 for their six home wins, including a sell-out (8,002) April 7th against San Angelo.
Noteworthy Tidbits
- Colorado and Laredo have played only twice in regular season history, both times in Laredo. Laredo earned a 4-3 decision on December 6th, 2003, while Colorado posted a 2-0 win on January 15th, 2005
- Laredo returns nine members of their 2003-2004 championship squad, including goaltender David Guerrera, defensemen Steve Weidlich, Serge Dube and Dion Hyman, and forwards James Hiebert, Jeff Bes, Steve Simoes , Adam Paiement and Brent Cullaton.
- Both teams are undefeated on home ice during the 04-05 playoffs (Colorado 5-0, Laredo 6-0)
- Colorado leads all CHL teams with five shorthanded goals in the post-season
- Laredo's Jeff Bes enters the finals with a four game goal scoring streak
- Colorado leads with an average of 3.64 goals for per game in the playoffs, while Laredo has held playoff opponents to a CHL-low 27.18 shots per game
Families can take advantage of four tickets for 48 dollars for Bucks home playoff games at the LEC. Groups of 20 or more, start at $10 a ticket.
Fans are asked to wear white for a playoff whiteout at the Laredo Entertainment Center.
** Preview courtesy of Steve Cherwonak of the Central Hockey League.
PRESIDENT'S CUP FINALS
Game One---Colorado---Tuesday---April 26---7:05 p.m.---Mountain Time
Game Two--- Colorado---Wednesday---April 27---7:05 p.m.---Mountain Time
Game Three--- Laredo ---Sunday---May 1---7:00 p.m.---Central Time
Game Four--- Laredo---Monday---May 2---7:00 p.m.---Central Time
*Game Five--- Laredo---Wednesday---May 4---7:00 p.m.---Central Time
*Game Six--- Colorado ---Saturday---May 7---7:05 p.m.---Mountain Time
*Game Seven---Colorado---Sunday---May 8---7:05 p.m.---Mountain Time
* If necessary
BUCKS HOCKEY IN A GROUP
⢠Bring a group to a Bucks playoff game and enjoy big savings off walkup prices. Call the Bucks office today at (956) 718-BUCKS (2825).
BUCKS PLAYOFF MERCHANDISE
⢠The Bucks have t-shirts, hats, pins, pucks, sticks and more available which feature the Bucks and the 2005 CHL playoff logo.
WHITEOUT
⢠The Bucks players are asking fans to wear white for all playoff games at the LEC. Fans can save 25 percent off all Bucks merchandise at the Bucks Team Store, open from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday thru Friday.
BECOME A BUCKS BACKER
⢠Support the Bucks by becoming a Corporate Sponsor. For a complete marketing plan call (956) 718-BUCKS (2825).
BUCKS ON THE AIR / INTERNET
⢠Follow the Bucks all year long on 94.9, The New QURE FM. Tune in live for all 60 Bucks CHL regular season games and the President's Cup playoffs. Also catch the Bucks live all season long on the world-wide-web at www.sportsjuice.com.
BUCKS HIGHLIGHTS ONLINE
⢠Listen to audio highlights of the Bucks online at www.laredobucks.com in the multimedia section.
Central Hockey League Stories from April 25, 2005
- CHL Leads "AA" Leagues in Average Attendance, Again - CHL
- Bucks and Eagles Begin President's Cup Finals Tuesday - Laredo Bucks
- Special Olympics golf tournament opens Friday - Mississippi RiverKings
- Thunder names Presson new general manager - Wichita Thunder
- Thunder extend Laxdal's contract - Wichita Thunder
- CHL Ray Miron President's Cup Finals Begin Tuesday - CHL
- Oilers Lock-Up Kaebel - Tulsa Oilers
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