Laredo Bucks Magic Ride Finally Comes To A Close
Published on May 5, 2005 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Laredo Bucks News Release
LAREDO, Texas â Given up for dead by many in the middle of February the defending CHL Champion Laredo Bucks found a way to take the Gateway City on another magic ride. The Bucks returned to the President's Cup Finals for the second straight year. Despite falling short the Bucks gave the City of Laredo a reason to be proud. For more information on 2005-06 Bucks season tickets call the Bucks office at (956) 718-BUCKS (2825) or log onto www.laredobucks.com.
In the middle part of February and on the outside of the playoff race looking in, the Bucks turned things around and closed the regular season by going 12-0-1 to capture the top seed in the Southern Conference on the final day of the regular schedule. Laredo went into the 2005 CHL Playoffs as not only the defending CHL champions, but also the hottest team in the league.
The Bucks then engaged in an epic seven game series with the San Angelo Saints in the first round. The Bucks beat the Saints four games to three with all four wins coming on home ice by one goal. Games Five and Seven at the LEC were decided in sudden death overtime. Adam Paiement won Game Five and then the Bucks moved on as James Hiebert recorded the series winner in overtime of Game Seven.
In the Southern Conference Finals the Bucks kicked it into high gear as they swept Amarillo four games to none. The sweep was highlighted by a Lou Dickenson hat trick in Game One and back-to-back one goal wins in Games Three and Four on the road.
In the President's Cup Finals the Bucks thrilled the Laredo Entertainment Center crowd in Game Three when Jeff Bes scored in overtime. Despite the heroics the Bucks fell four games to one to the Colorado Eagles.
In the playoffs the Bucks led the CHL in average attendance at 6,367. Spurred on by the large crowds Laredo posted a 7-2 record on home ice in the post-season. The Bucks were led in playoff scoring by Bes, Hiebert and Brent Cullaton who each tallied 14 points. Bes led the team with eight goals.
Laredo was 3-0 in overtime this year in the playoffs and improved to 9-2 all-time in playoff overtime in franchise history.
The Bucks qualified for the playoffs for the third consecutive year and are 6-2 all-time in playoff series in franchise history. In three years the Bucks have played an incredible 43 playoff games.
In the regular season the Bucks posted the second best home record in the CHL at 22-6-2. In three years on the border in Laredo the Bucks are a phenomenal 75-12-7 at the LEC. The Bucks finished second in the CHL attendance race with an average of 6,206 fans per game.
In December the Bucks tied a CHL record with an incredible seven power play goals in a game versus Rio Grande Valley in an 8-2 victory.
In January of 2005 the CHL came to Laredo and the LEC with the 2005 Dodge All-Star Game. The three days of festivities on the border were full of highlights. The All-Star Banquet featured Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Pat Quinn as the guest speaker. The LNB All-Star Skills Competition allowed the CHL stars to show off their skills. Laredo's Cullaton won the Fastest Skater and Jeremy Symington won the individual goalie competition.
The All-Star Game itself was the highest scoring in history as the Northern Conference edged the Southern Conference 14-13 in a shootout. Bucks forward Adam Paiement scored in the game which featured more than 140 shots and was televised on Fox Sports Southwest.
The Bucks won 15 straight games at the LEC. Laredo captured the last eight games of the regular season and the first seven of the playoffs on home ice.
In the annual CHL Best of the Best Poll the Bucks had several mentions. Cullaton was selected as the Best Skater. The Bucks Booster Club and the LEC In Arena Music were selected as second best and the LEC was voted the third Toughest Building To Play In.
BUCKS HIGHLIGHTS ONLINE
· Listen to audio highlights of the Bucks online at www.laredobucks.com in the multimedia section.
Central Hockey League Stories from May 5, 2005
- Laredo Bucks Magic Ride Finally Comes To A Close - Laredo Bucks
- Colorado Eagles Win 04-05 CHL Ray Miron President's Cup Title - CHL
- Eagles announce Fan Appreciation Victory Party - Colorado Eagles
- Edwards Named Scorpions Coach - New Mexico Scorpions
- Eagles crowned CHL champions - Colorado Eagles
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