Bucks Fall In Game One 6-4: Trail Series 1-0
Published on April 14, 2008 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Laredo Bucks News Release
LAREDO, TX- The Laredo Bucks fell to the Arizona Sundogs 6-4 Monday night in game one of the Central Hockey League's Southern Conference Finals, in front of 3,740 fans at the Laredo Entertainment Center. The Bucks trail the best-of-seven series one game to nothing, with game two Tuesday night in Laredo. The loss marks the first time in team history that the Bucks have lost game one of the Southern Conference Finals (5-1). Laredo came into the game on a seven-game winning streak, and a six game home winning streak dating back to the regular season.
With the game tied at 4-4 going into the third period, the Sundogs struck twice to steal game one. With Arizona on the power-play just 2:53 into the third period Chris Bartalone was left open in the high slot and took a pass from Steve Rymsha, then sent a low shot between the legs of Bucks goaltender Dustin Traylen. The tally was Bartalone's second goal of the contest, and his third of the playoffs.
The Sundogs would take the first two-goal lead of the game with 9:56 left in the third period, when Rob Lehtinen skated down the left side on a two-on-two, and sent a snap shot towards Traylen, who knocked the puck into the air and into the back of the net, giving the Sundogs a 6-4 lead. The goal was Lehtinen's second playoff goal.
The Bucks would pull Traylen for the final 1:45 of the game for an extra attacker, but the Sundogs cleared the puck three separate times to hang on for the win. The Sundogs tallied twice in the third period on just six shots.
Laredo lost their first postseason game, despite out shooting Arizona 36-29. Traylen took the loss in net, stopping 23 of 29 shots. Former Buck Marco Emond picked up his first win of the 2008 playoffs as he set aside 32 of 36 Laredo attempts.
Bartalone had a four point night for the Sundogs (2-2=4).
The first period saw a lot of offense, as the Sundogs took a 3-2 lead.
The Bucks struck first as they scored their 23rd short-handed goal of the season (third in the playoffs) just 4:34 into the game. Paul Elliott struck for his third career playoff goal, as he sent a slap shot from the high slot past Emond. Andrew Desjardins (1st) and Adam Rivet (6th) picked up assists on Elliott's tally.
Arizona would tie the game up on a two-on-one break. CHL scoring champion Alex Leavitt skated down the left side of the ice and sent a cross ice pass from the left circle to John Landry who sent it past Traylen. The Sundogs would take a 2-1 lead just 13 seconds later as Cory Urquhart went streaking down the right side and flipped a wrister through Traylen's legs. It was Urquhart's 17th straight game scoring a goal.
The Bucks would tie it up a 2-2 as they struck on the power-play at the 13:21 mark. James Hiebert sent a rebound from the low slot past Emond, for his 30th career postseason goal, and fourth of the 2008 playoffs.
The Sundogs would re-take the lead at 3-2 with 5:06 left in the first. Captain Chris Bartalone picked up a loose puck right in front of the Bucks net, and sent a shot over Traylen's right shoulder.
Arizona outshot Laredo in the first 20 minutes 11-10.
The Bucks would come out and even the score at 3-3 just 21 seconds into the middle period. Igor Agarunov poked in a loose puck off of a rebound in front of the Sundogs net past Emond. The Arizona defense could not clear the puck away from the crease, Agarunov took advantage as he slipped it by Emond.
Laredo would take a 4-3 lead as they struck again just 2:43 into the second period. David Walker found Agarunov behind the Sundogs defense, who then scored top shelf on a break-away past Emond. It was Agarunov's second goal of the night, and his fifth tally of the 2008 postseason. Agarunov had three career playoff goals coming into the'08 playoffs.
Arizona would knot the game up at 4-4 5:56 in, when Steve Rymsha sent a back-handed rebound right in front of the Bucks net past Traylen. The tally was Rymsha's third goal of the playoffs.
The Bucks outshot the Sundogs 13-12 in the second period.
Agarunov (2-0=2) and Elliott (1-1=2) each came up with two point nights for the Bucks.
The Bucks and Sundogs will meet again Tuesday night in game two of the Conference Finals at the LEC at 7pm. Thanks to Westwind Homes, a limited amount of $5 tickets will be available on a first come, first serve basis for the game. Fans can also take advantage of the popular four for $48 deal, which offers FOUR FREE hot dogs, and FOUR FREE Cokes with the purchase of four game tickets. Call 718-BUCK (2825), log on to ticketmaster.com, or head to the LEC to purchase your tickets.
Also on Tuesday night representatives from Lakeside Pharmacy, and members of the Bucks front office staff will unveil an image of the third action figure on the ice during the second intermission of the Bucks/Sundogs playoff game. The action figure will then be available starting at 9am Wednesday morning at Lakeside Pharmacy, located at 2337 Endeavor Drive, right behind the LEC.
*Boxscore* http://www.pointstreak.com/prostats/boxscore.html?gameid=692122
*Bucks Notes*
*The Bucks were 1-7 on the power-play, while the Sundogs were 1-8 with the man advantage
*The Bucks fall to 13-4 all-time when playing game one of a series
*The Bucks fall to 5-1 all-time in game one of the Southern Conference Finals
*The Bucks fall to 35-10 (2-1 in '08) all-time at home in the playoffs
*The Bucks fall to 31-6-2 (3-1 in playoffs) when scoring first
*Westwind Homes Southern Conference Finals* Monday April 14th, Game 1: Sundogs 6, @Laredo 4: Bucks trail series 1-0 Tuesday April 15th, Game 2: Arizona @Laredo, 7pm 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 14, 2008
- Arizona Takes 1-0 Series Lead in Southern Conference Finals - Arizona Sundogs
- Bucks Fall In Game One 6-4: Trail Series 1-0 - Laredo Bucks
- Eagles Week In Review - Colorado Eagles
- Franck And Richards Honored As Team MVP's - Youngstown SteelHounds
- Shots From The Point For Monday, April 14th - CHL
- Laplante Ties CHL Record With Third Playoff Shutout - Colorado Eagles
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