Bucks Fall In Shootout, But Clinch Playoff Spot

March 4, 2009 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Laredo Bucks News Release


LAREDO, TX- The Laredo Bucks fell to the Corpus Christi Ice Rays in a shootout 4-3 Wednesday night at the Laredo Entertainment Center . Despite the loss the Bucks still clinched a playoff spot for the seventh straight season thanks to Arizona 's loss to Rio Grande Valley . The Bucks fall to 31-19-5 (67 points) on the season.

Corpus took the shootout 2-0 as Jereme Tendler and Chris Richards scored for the Ice Rays, while Kris Tebbs stopped all four Laredo attempts.

With the Bucks leading 2-1 entering the third period, Ryan Crane jammed in a rebound just 1:59 into the final frame to tie the game at 2-2.

Brent Cullaton would give Laredo a 3-2 lead when he scored a power-play goal from the left point past Tebbs. The tally was Cullaton's 18th of the season, and his third since returning to the Bucks.

The Ice Rays would battle back again to tie the game at 3-3, when Adam Powell scored 8:11 into the third.

Tebbs stopped 22 of 25 Laredo shots, while Martin set aside 27 of 30 Ice Rays attempts.

The Bucks fall to 19-1-2 when leading after the second period.

The Ice Rays (24-27-5, 53 points) jumped out in front of the Bucks just 2:17 into the game. Ryan Bennett picked up a loose puck behind the Bucks net and found Jozef Sladok in the crease to poke it in. It was Sladok's first goal of the season.

Laredo has given up the first goal in 21 of their last 29 games.

The Bucks were outshot in the first period 12-2. Laredo 's two first period shots is a season low.

Laredo (20-7-2 at home) would come out and score two goals in the first 4:18 of the second to take a 2-1 lead.

Erick Lizon would score on a breakaway past Kris Tebbs just 2:13 into the period to tie the game at 1-1. The strike was Lizon's sixth of the season, with Serge Dube (31) picking up the assist.

The Bucks would take a 2-1 lead 4:18 into the second on the power-play, when Igor Agarunov slammed home a slap shot from the left circle on a three-on-two break. Agarunov's tally was his 15 of the season, with Alex Goupil (31) and Darryl Smith (31) picking up assists. Agarunov's 15 goals tie his career high (2006-07).

Laredo outshot Corpus in the second period 15-8.

The Bucks were outshot for the game 31-25.

Laredo falls to 13-7-4 in one-goal games this season.

The loss keeps Bucks President/General Manager and Head Coach Terry Ruskowski at 496 career wins.

The Bucks will take to the road for Friday night's game at Odessa . Game time is 7:05pm.

Laredo will return home on Sunday afternoon for a rematch with the Ice Rays at the LEC. It's TAMIU Day, where the first 1,500 fans get a TAMIU Day T-shirt! The Bucks will wear special St. Paddy's Day Jersey's that will be auctioned off after the game.

Group tickets start at just $10, call 718-BUCK (2825).

*Bucks Looking For Off-Ice Officials*

The Bucks are looking for eager off-ice officials to assist with statistics during the 2009 playoffs. If interested please e-mail Zach Sepesi at zachsepesi@yahoo.com.

*Win A Vegas Weekend Or Carnival Cruise From The Bucks!* The Bucks have announced that fans can win either a Las Vegas Weekend Getaway or a Carnival Cruise, if they purchase a Bucks playoff package. The Las Vegas Weekend Getaway includes airfare and hotel reservations, courtesy of the Bucks, on dates agreed upon by the winners of the getaway and the Bucks. The Carnival Cruise winner receives a FREE 4 night cruise leaving from the Port of Galveston, Texas, courtesy of the Bucks, on dates agreed upon by the winners of the cruise and the Bucks. Winners of either the Las Vegas Weekend or Carnival Cruise may not take a cash equivalent and it is not transferable. To be eligible to win one of the two great prizes, fans must buy their Bucks playoff package before the first home playoff game. Drawing will be held during the 1st intermission of the 1st playoff game. Call 718-BUCK (2825) to order your playoff packages now, and to be eligible to win the prizes. *Credit for playoff games not played, will be applied to the 09-10 season ticket package.



Central Hockey League Stories from March 4, 2009


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