Jacked Up: Bucks Lose To Odessa 3-2
February 21, 2008 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Laredo Bucks News Release
LAREDO, TX- The Laredo Bucks of the Central Hockey League fell to the Odessa Jackalopes 3-2 Thursday night, in front of 3,004 fans at the Laredo Entertainment Center. The loss snapped the Bucks three-game winning streak, and kept them from clinching their fifth straight division title on home ice. Laredo will have to wait until at least Friday to clinch in Corpus Christi.
Laredo's lead in the Southern Conference remains at eight over Arizona (69 points to 61).
Odessa (26-16-7, 59pts) came out and took a 2-0 lead after 20 minutes as they scored on two power-plays.
The Bucks (33-16-3, 69 points). outshot the Jackalopes 45-22.
The Jackalopes took a 1-0 lead 5:56 into the period, when Alex Dunn sent a shot from the bottom of the right circle past Bucks goaltender John Ceci. Odessa made it a 2-0 advantage when they scored their second power-play goal at the 9:32 mark, this one came on a five-on three man advantage. Dominic Leveille took a pass at the left side of the crease from Oliver Proulx to stuff it by Ceci. It was Leveille's team leading 27th goal of the season.
Odessa scored on two of four power-play opportunities in the first period. Overall in the game Odessa was 2-10 with the man advantage.
The Bucks had a five-on-three power-play in the first period for 1:19, but failed to get off a shot.
Despite trailing 2-0 after one, the Bucks outshot the Jackalopes in the period 13-8.
Neither team lit the lamp in the second period, with the Bucks outshooting Odessa 20-10.
Laredo had another five-on-three power-play in the middle period for 1:23 seconds, but for the second time in the game failed to score.
The Bucks (19-6-1 at home) penalty kill was busy in the period, killing off three Jackalopes power-plays.
Odessa took a 3-0 lead 6:15 into the third period, when Mike MacDonald's shot from the right circle slipped through the legs of Ceci.
The Bucks would battle back to to make it 3-2.
Andrew Desjardins tipped in a shot from the right side of the crease off of a pass from the left circle. It was Desjardins' 17th goal of his rookie campaign.
Laredo would score once more to make it 3-2 with just 3:13 left in the third period. Jeff Bes sent a slap shot from the right circle dot, as he scored his team-leading 38th goal, and CHL leading 84th point. Bes now leads the league by two points over Arizona's Alex Leavitt. Bes has scored at least a point in 24 in his last 28 games.
With 2:23 remaining James Hiebert was called for a roughing double minor, putting Laredo short-handed for the remainder of the contest, as they could not pull Ceci for an extra attacker.
Jackalopes goaltender Alexandre Vincent set aside 43 of 45 Bucks shots, while Ceci (5-5) stopped 19 of 22 Odessa attempts to take the loss in net.
After tonight the Bucks will hit the road for a repeat of last weekend's road trip, Friday in Corpus Christi, and Saturday at Rio Grande Valley, before starting a season-long five game homes stand on February 27th against the Rayz. Group tickets start at $10, with individual tickets starting at $12.75. Call 718-BUCK (2825) to order your tickets today.
**Boxscore**
http://www.pointstreak.com/prostats/boxscore.html?gameid=534661
*Bucks Notes*
*The Bucks are one point away from clinching their fifth straight Southeast Division Title
*The Bucks were 0-7 on the power-play, including 0-2 with a five-one-three man advantage, and 0-1 with a four-on-three advantage.
*The Bucks lost the season series to the Jackalopes 1-2-1
*The Bucks lead the all-time regular season series with the Jackalopes 16-6-4
*The Bucks fall to 4-14-1 when trailing after two periods this season
**Game Time Change For Friday**
The Bucks game on Friday (February 22nd) in Corpus Christi has been pushed back to a 8:05 start time due to Presidential Candidate Barack Obama speaking at the American Bank Center.
**Bucks To Hold Press Conference February 25th**
The Bucks will hold a press conference on Monday, February 25th at 1pm at the main entrance of the Laredo Entertainment Center.
The Bucks invite all media and fans to attend this event. Bucks head coach/GM Terry Ruskowski will be in attendance to speak to the media and fans.
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Central Hockey League Stories from February 21, 2008
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- Jacked Up: Bucks Lose To Odessa 3-2 - Laredo Bucks
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- Ice Bats Owner Joins Amarillo Ownership Group - Austin Ice Bats
- Holt Hired to do Post-Game Analysis for Avs on Altitude - Colorado Eagles
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