Bucks, Smith Full of Rage In 7-1 Romp

Published on October 17, 2008 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Laredo Bucks News Release


LAREDO, TX- The Laredo Bucks of the Central Hockey League beat the Rocky Mountain Rage 7-1 on opening night Friday, in front of 5,002 fans at the Laredo Entertainment Center.

The Bucks received plenty of offense from their rookies, as Darryl Smith picked up a hat trick, while Jason Dixon notched two goals and handed out an assist in the duo's first professional games.

Bucks All-Time leading scorer Jeff Bes picked up right where he left off last season, as he handed out four assists, to give hi 454 career points in a Laredo uniform.

Laredo's All-Star goaltender Sebastien Centomo set aside 31 of 32 Rocky Mountain shots.

Laredo's penalty kill got an early work out, as they had to kill off a 1:30 five-on-three power-play. The Bucks held the Rage to zero shots on the two-man advantage.

The Bucks would jump out in front of the Rage with 8:54 left in the first period. Erick Lizon led a two-on-one break into the Rage end, and fed Alex Goupil who sent a shot past Scott Reid's glove from the left circle. Lizon and rookie Jason Dixon picked up assists on Goupil's tally.

The Rage would tie the game up 4:02 left in the opening period, when Colt King sent a laser pass from the left corner, to David Morelli, who was standing right next to Bucks goaltender Sebastien Centomo. Morelli, jammed it past Centomo's pad.

The Bucks would quickly re-take the lead just 27 seconds later, as Darryl Smith notched his first professional goal, when he picked up a loose puck in the high slot in front of Reid. Smith lifted the puck past Reid's left shoulder. Bobby Russell and Jeff Bes picked up assists on Smith's tally.

Laredo broke the game open in the second period, as they lit the lamp five times. The Bucks scored three-power-play goals, and one short-handed goal in the period.

The Bucks would strike just 50 seconds into the period, when Dixon wrapped a rebound past Reid and into the back of the net to make it 3-1. Goupil and Igor Agarunov picked up assists on the goal.

With a 3-1 lead the Bucks then flexed their special teams muscles, when they would score three-straight on the power-play, then add a short-handed tally.

Laredo made it 4-1 4:29 into the period, when they struck on the power-play. Serge Dube sent a shot towards the net, Smith tipped the puck out of mid air and past Reid.

The Bucks made it 5-1 when Dixon sent in a rebound in the crease past Reid. It was Dixon's second goal of the period, and game.

Laredo would score their third straight power-play goal of the period, when Smith picked up his first professional hat trick at the 6:32 mark. Smith grabbed a rebound in the high slot, and rocketed a shot over Reid's shoulder.

With the score 6-1, Rocky Mountain pulled Reid and replaced him with Marty Madgers. Reid stopped 14 of the 20 shots that he faced.

The Bucks would finish off their second period scoring with just 1:27 left in the period, as they struck short-handed.

Bobby Russell chased down a loose puck in the Rage end, then stopped, turned around and flipped a shot past Madgers to make it 7-1.

Laredo outshot Rocky Mountain in the second period 16-12.

Neither team could light the lamp in the third period, as the Bucks and Rage each put up 10 shots.

The Bucks will continue opening weekend on Saturday, when they face the Bosser-Shreveport Mudugs. Game time is 7:30pm. Tickets start at just $10. Call 718-BUCK (2825) to order yours now.

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Central Hockey League Stories from October 17, 2008


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