Bucks Clinch South With 8-2 Romp
March 22, 2008 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Laredo Bucks News Release
LAREDO, TX- The Laredo Bucks of the Central Hockey League beat the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees 8-2 Friday night, in front of a season high 6,380 fans at the Laredo Entertainment Center. With the win the Bucks (41-19-3, 85 points) clinched home ice throughout the Southern Conference playoffs. Laredo will receive a first round bye into the Conference Semi-Finals and await the winner of the first round match-up. Game one will be played Saturday March 29th at the LEC. The Bucks will hold "Pack the House Night where every ticket is available for a $5 donation to the Sacred Heart Children's Home and the South Texas Food Bank. For more on the "Pack the House" Night please read below.
Laredo received a very balanced effort, getting eight different goal scorers as they outshot Rio 46-21.
Jeff Bes (1-2=3) and Serge Dube (0-3=3) each picked up three points to lead the Bucks to their 11th win over the Bees in 12 chances this season. Dustin Traylen picked up his 25th win in net as he stopped 19 of 21 Killer Bee attempts.
The Bucks jumped out on top 11:01 into the first period. Alex Goupil took a pass from David Walker and streaked down the left wing side into the Killer Bee end. Goupil then flicked a wrist shot from the bottom of the left circle past Rio goaltender A.J Bucchino. It was Goupil's 22nd goal of the season, and his ninth tally in 15 games in a Bucks uniform.
Laredo took a 2-0 lead a little over three minutes later at the 14:04 mark when Igor Agarunov took a pass in the high slot from Goupil. Agarunov sent a rifle shot past Bucchino to score his ninth goal of the season.
The Bucks outshot the Killer Bees in the first period nine-to-seven.
The Bees (16-39-7) would come right back at the beginning of the second period to tie the game at 2-2.
At 3:45 of the second period Jason Weitzel scored from the left side of the crease past Traylen. Rio tied the game at 2-2 when Josh Bonar sent a wrist shot past Traylen.
The the Bucks (24-7-1 at home) would go on a tear scoring three straight times to take a 5-2 lead going into the third period.
James Hiebert scored his 26th goal of the season, as he sent a back-handed rebound from the left side of the crease past Bucchino to give Laredo a 3-2 lead at the 11:06 mark. The Bucks would go up 4-2 when Matt Summers deked past two Bees defenders and sent a wrister from the high left slot past Bucchino. It was Summers' 12th tally of the season with Andrew Desjardins and Steve Weidlich picking up assists.
Bes would give the Bucks a 5-2 lead with 3:03 left in the second period and get a piece of history as well.
Bes would send a slap shot from the left circle to score his 45th goal of the season, tying him with former line mate Chris Grenville for most goals by a Buck in the regular season.
Laredo would score three more times in the third period.
Chris Korchinski jammed in a pass from Adam Rivet from the left side of the crease at the 5:02 mark to make it 6-2 Bucks. It was Korchinski's 23rd goal of the season. Laredo would increase their lead to 7-2 at the 14:08 mark of the third when Chris Stanley sent a rebound in from the right side of the crease past Bucchino. Steve Weidlich finished up the scoring with just 2:02 left when he poked in a pass from the left side of the crease off of a pass from Agarunov. It was Weidlich's second tally of a game.
The Bucks will close out the regular season Saturday at the Dodge Arena in Hidalgo.
*Boxscore*
http://www.pointstreak.com/prostats/boxscore.html?gameid=534777
*Bucks Notes*
*The Bucks were 1-5 on the power-play
*The Bees were 0-7 on the power-play
*Laredo improves to 11-1 against the Bees this season (6-0 at home)
*The Bucks improve to 27-5-2 when scoring the first goal of the game
*The Bucks improve to 19-2-2 when leading after one period, and 29-2-1 when leading after the second period
*Bucks To "Pack The House" March 29th*
The Bucks, in conjunction with Border Lease and Laredo Energy announced Friday night that they will "Pack The House For Charity" at the Bucks first home playoff game on Saturday March 29th. All Tickets in every section, with the exception of glass and club level seats will be available for a minimum $5 donation to Sacred Heart Children's Home and South Texas Food Bank. The Bucks, along with Border Lease and Laredo Energy are looking to sell out the game, and have 6,500 fans at the Laredo Entertainment Center. Bucks head coach/GM Terry Ruskowski made the announcement on the ice during the second intermission of the Bucks/Bees game.
**Dube's Jersey To Be Auctioned Off For Charity**
Bucks captain Serge Dube will wear a jersey tonight with a special "Captains For Courage" Patch on it. All proceeds of the auction will to the charity SCAN (Serving Children and Adolecents in Need). The auction will be held online on the Bucks website, www.laredobucks.com. The auction will start at 10pm Friday night and go until April 1st at 12pm.
**Bucks Playoff Packages Available Now**
Bucks playoff packages are available now starting at $9.99 per game (payment plans are available). Call a Bucks representative at 718-BUCK (2825). Buying playoff tickets now gives you the opportunity to secure those same seats for next regular season if you choose to.
**Playoff Discounts For Military And Students**
During the playoffs the Bucks will offer a discount for Military Members and students (any level). On all walk-up tickets for playoff games Military Members and students will receive a $2.50 discount for all ticket levels (with a valid ID).
**Bucks Playoff Schedule**
The Bucks are scheduled to open the 2008 Playoffs at the LEC on Saturday March 29th at 7:30pm, with game two of that series on Monday March 31st at 7:00pm. The official playoff schedule will be announced in the coming weeks.
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Central Hockey League Stories from March 22, 2008
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- Rage Still Alive in Playoff Hunt - Rocky Mountain Rage
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