How Sweep It Is: Bucks Advance To Conference Finals

April 4, 2008 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Laredo Bucks News Release


ODESSA, TX- The Laredo Bucks beat the Odessa Jackalopes 4-2 Friday night in game four of the Central Hockey League's Southern Conference Semi-Finals, in front of 1,899 fans at the Ector County Coliseum. The Bucks swept the best of seven series four games to none, to advance to their sixth straight Southern Conference Finals. Laredo swept a playoff opponent for just the third time in their history ('04 Rio Grande Valley, '05 Amarillo). The Bucks will await the winner of the Arizona/New Mexico series.

Chris Korchinski scored two goals to lead Laredo, with John Ceci picking up the win in his first ever professional playoff game. Ceci stopped 23 of 25 Odessa shots.

For the first time in the series the Bucks failed to score first, as the ‘Jacks struck to take a 1-0 lead 9:16 in to the first period. Kevin Richardson took the puck down the left wing side and sent a shot towards Bucks goaltender John Ceci who made the initial save, then Richardson poked in his own rebound past Ceci. It was Richardson's first goal of the postseason.

The Bucks tied the game up at 1-1 on the power-play nearly six minutes later at the 15:14 mark. Chris Korchinski's shot was initially stopped by Odessa goaltender Mike Gorman, Korchinski then jammed in his own rebound past the goal line on the left side of the crease. The officials signaled that it was a goal, and then had a quick conversation behind the ‘Jacks net before officially awarding the Bucks the tying goal. It was Korchinski's second goal of the playoffs, and his 11th career postseason tally, with Alex Goupil (5th), and Igor Agarunov (2nd) picking up assists.

The first period saw very physical play on both sides as Laredo out shot Odessa in the first period 13-9.

Laredo came out and scored twice in the second period to take a 3-1 lead after 40 minutes.

The Bucks scored their second power-play goal of the game 6:14 into the middle period. Chris Stanley scored his fourth goal of the playoffs as he poked in a rebound in front of Gorman on the right side of the crease. Jeff Bes and Adam Rivet picked up assists on Stanley's tally.

Laredo would score less than one minute later at the 7:08 mark. Korchinski took the puck from the left corner, skated right in front of Gorman and sent a backhander into the back of the net. It was Korchinski's second goal of the game, and third of the playoffs. Agarunov and Steve Weidlich picked up assists on Korchinski's goal.

The Bucks came out and dominated the second period, outshooting the Jackalopes 20-7.

Odessa would cut the Bucks lead to 3-2 8:22 into the third period, when Colin Circelli scored on a rebound in front of Ceci on the power-play.

James Hiebert would give the Bucks a 4-2 lead with just 1:39 left as he sent a slap shot from the high slot past Gorman. Hiebert's goal was the Bucks third power-play tally of the night.

Odessa pulled Gorman for an empty net for the final 1:15, but the Bucks cleared the puck three separate times to hang on for the 4-2 win.



Central Hockey League Stories from April 4, 2008


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