CHL Southern Conference Semifinal Game 3 Preview

Published on March 27, 2004 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees News Release


RIO GRANDE VALLEY KILLER BEES

SOUTHERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINAL GAME 3 PREVIEW

Laredo Bucks (2-0) @ Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees (0-2)

DATE: 3/27/04 TIME: 7:30 pm LOCATION: Dodge Arena (Hidalgo, Tx)

DO OR DIE

You can analyze this series as much as you want, but when it comes down to it, the Bees know exactly what they have to do to keep their season going. The Bees must win three straight against the Laredo Bucks to advance to the Southern Conference Finals. Laredo won the first two games of the best-of-five series, placing the Bees on the brink of elimination. A Bees win sets the stage for a Game 4 Sunday at 6 PM at the Dodge Arena and if the Bees win the home set, the series moves back to Laredo Tuesday for a decisive Game 5.

REGULAR SEASON SERIES

Laredo and Rio Grande Valley met each other 13 times during the regular season, with Laredo leading the season series with a 9-2-2 record against the Bees. The Bees were 4-8-1 against the Bucks and were the only team to garner two wins at the Laredo Entertainment Center. Bucks forward Jeff Bes led the regular season with 25 points off of 7 goals and 18 assists in the series to lead all scorers. Rio Grande Valley's Bill Newson led the Bees in the series with 6 goals and 3 assists for 9 points.

GAME 2 RECAP (March 20, 2004)

The Laredo Bucks placed themselves one win away from advancing to the second round of the Southern Conference playoffs with a 5-0 win over the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees Saturday night at the Laredo Entertainment Center.

There was not much even-strength play in the first period, as each team had four power play opportunities. The Killer Bees were unable to convert on any of their opportunities, but the Laredo Bucks took advantage of one of their opportunities. Mike Amodeo redirected a shot past Bees goaltender Jeff Levy with 30-seconds remaining in the period for his second goal of the game. Amodeo's first goal of the game came at the 10:59 mark, as he dug a rebound of the right circle and placed it over Levy.

After a scoreless second period of play things got ugly for the Bees in the third period. Amodeo completed the natural hat trick 1:19 into the period, which led to a surge of three straight Bucks goals in a span of 2:21 to build a 5-0 lead. Goaltender Marco Emond stopped the remaining Bees shots to preserve the shutout and registered his first postseason win of his career.

Emond might have picked up the win in net stopping all 22 shots, but he did not win the battle at the conclusion of the game. As a post game scuffle broke out near the player entrances, Levy and Emond decided to join in the dance. Levy took out his frustration of stopping 15 of 20 shots in the contest by ripping Emond's mask off and taking him down to the ice.

ROSTER CHANGES

Rio Grande Valley lists a healthy roster for tonight's game. For Laredo, forward James Hiebert is serving a one-game suspension tonight for receiving a match penalty "intent to injure" infraction in Game 2. This week, Laredo's Max Birbraer was assigned to the squad and Brent Cullaton was called back to San Antonio. Cullaton did not play last night for San Antonio and his status for tonight is unknown.

TEAM LEADERS

Bees – Several tied with 1 point; Andrew Taylor 1 goal; Several tied with 1 assist; Bill Newson 9 penalty minutes. Bucks – Mike Amodeo 4 points; Mike Amodeo 3 goals; Several tied with 3 assists; J.F. David 21 penalty minutes.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Bees – Power play: 0.0% T-6th, Penalty killing: 83.3% 5th.

Bucks – 16.7% 4th, Penalty killing: 100.0% T-1st.

GOALTENDERS

Bees – Jeff Levy (0-1-1, 0 SO, 3.34), Jacque Vezina (0-0-0, 0 SO, 0.00).

Bucks – Marco Emond (1-0-0, 1 SO, 0.00), David Guerrera (1-0-0, 0 SO, 0.92)

WHAT'S NEXT

GAME 4 (if necessary) Sunday 6PM @ Dodge Arena

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Central Hockey League Stories from March 27, 2004


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