Bucks Smoke Ice Rays 7-1 In Cullaton's Return
February 5, 2009 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Laredo Bucks News Release
LAREDO, TX- The Laredo Bucks of the Central Hockey League beat the Corpus Christi Ice Rays 7-1 Thursday night, in front of 4,127 fans at the Laredo Entertainment Center. With the win the Bucks improve to 25-14-4 (52pts), and move to within 10 points of the Texas Brahmas in the Southeast Division.
Darryl Smith and Rick Kozak each scored two goals apiece, with Brent Cullaton picking up an assist in his return to the Bucks.
Smith now has a team-leading 25 goals.
The Ice Rays (18-23-4) jumped out in front of the Bucks 1-0 at 12:26 into the first period, when Justin Quenneville jammed in a rebound from the crease. The goal was Quenneville's 14th of the season. The Ice Rays have scored first in the last two games against the Bucks.
Laredo (18-5-1 at home) tied the game up at 1-1 when they struck on the power-play with 4:38 left in the opening period. Rick Kozak took a feed from Darryl Smith in the slot, and sent a rocket slap shot past Ice Rays goaltender Isaac Reichmuth. The tally was Kozak's 18th of the season, with Smith picking up his 26th assist.
The Bucks took a 2-1 lead with 30 seconds left in the first period when they scored a four-on-four goal. Smith took the puck from behind the net and skated to the right circle, where he sent a wrist shot past Reichmuth. The goal was Smith's team-leading 24th of the season, with Cullaton (42) picking up an assist.
Each team put up nine shots in the first 20 minutes.
The Bucks are now 7-1-1 against the Ice Rays this season.
The Bucks would score three goals in the second period to increase their lead to 5-1 after 40 minutes.
With the Bucks short-handed, Igor Agarunov picked up a loose puck at center ice and scored a breakaway past Reichmuth 9:36 into the second. The goal was Agarunov's ninth of the season.
Laredo made it 5-1 when Kozak led a two-on-one break down the ice and hammered a shot from the right circle past Reichmuch. The goal was Kozak's second of the game, and 19th of the season.
The Bucks would increase their lead to 5-1 with just 1:50 left in the second period. Adam Rivet sent a laser shot from the point past Reichmuch on the power-play. Rivet has scored a goal in three straight games.
Laredo outshot Corpus in the second period 17-8.
The Bucks improved to 6-0-1 on Thursday's so far this season, including 5-0 at the LEC.
Smith scored his second goal of the game 1:55 into the third period, when he snuck past the Ice Rays defense and sent a backhander into the net.
Smith now has eight multi-goal games this season.
Mitch Stephens closed the scoring when he made it 7-1 with 3:33 left in the game. The goal was Stephens first as a Buck, and 14th of the season.
Bucks All-Star goaltender Sebastien Centomo left the game in the second period with an injury, with Andrew Martin replacing him. Centomo stopped 12 of 13 shots he faced, while Martin set aside all 13 shots he faced.
The Bucks and Ice Rays will meet again Friday night at the American Bank Center.
Laredo will return home Saturday night to host the Tulsa Oilers on Westwind Homes night. The Jr. Bucks will be playing during intermissions. Group tickets start at just $10, call 718-BUCK (2825), or go to www.laredobucks.com to order your tickets today.
• Discuss this story on the Central Hockey League message board...
Central Hockey League Stories from February 5, 2009
- Bucks Smoke Ice Rays 7-1 In Cullaton's Return - Laredo Bucks
- IceRays fall to Bucks, 7-1 - Corpus Christi IceRays
- You Could Watch the 'Bugs from a Luxury Suite! - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
- RiverKings Update - Mississippi RiverKings
- Take The Kookamonga Challenge - Mississippi RiverKings
- Time Running out to Reserve Game-Worn Komen Jerseys - Amarillo Gorillas
- Texas' Scott Sheppard Wins Oakley Three Star Award for January - CHL
- Sheppard Wins Award, Brahmas Make Trade, Predators Cancel Practice - Fort Worth Brahmas
- RiverKings Game Supports DeSoto County Museum - Mississippi RiverKings
- Gorillas comeback falls short in 4-3 loss to Sundogs - Amarillo Gorillas
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
