Samantha Hawkins - Junior Reporter
February 25, 2004 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Laredo Bucks News Release
LAREDO, Texas - Laredo's Samantha Hawkins was the most recent participant in the Central Hockey League's Junior Reporter Program, and had the good fortune to report on the Bucks Southeast Division clinching win over Fort Worth on February 11th. Samantha loves to write, as you can tell, and is a big fan of the Bucks. She also enjoys the internet, reading and animals, especially dogs. Outstanding report Samantha, great job!
Samantha Hawkins (Age 11)
Laredo Junior Reporter
Fort Worth 3 @ Laredo 6
February 11th, 2004
February 11th, 2004 was a very "Special Day" for the Laredo Bucks as not only did they defeat the Fort Worth Brahmas 6-3 but, they were able to clinch the Southeast Division Title at Home Ice. It was also a "Special Day" for the 7,125 Buck fans which consisted of children from different schools within the city of Laredo. Busloads began to arrive at the front of the Arena. I was amazed to see how quickly the seats began to fill up with school children. Among the 7000 plus were also "Die-hard" Buck Fans taking a day off for the 11:00 A.M. matinee game. I had the coolest opportunity to work side by side with Joe Dominey who will call the game on Qure 95 FM. He was kind enough to show me and my Mom (Isabel) around the Arena. We were able to meet with Bucks coach Terry Ruskowski in his office to discuss a few things set up for the game. He was excited enough to inform us that Bucks Center Jeff Bes was just promoted to the position of "Captain". After the tour, I was able to set up next to Joe Dominey. While introducing the Laredo Bucks the Fans were able to notice Jeff Bes sporting the letter "C" on his jersey. The opposing team from Fort Worth Texas (Brahmas) visits the L.E.C.for the first time this season.
The starting line-up for the Laredo Bucks for this morning game : #4 Gabriel Proulx , #19 Mike Amodeo, #27 Max Birbraer, #29 Serge Dube, #44 Dion Hyman and #1 Marco Emond between the pipes wearing their Blue and Gold Jerseys. For the visiting Brahmas : #3 Adam Davis, #21 Aaron Davis, #23 Scott English, #19 Chad Woollard, #17 Justin Williams and #30 Erasmo Saltarelli between the pipes wearing Purple and White Jerseys.
The 1st period started with a bang as Bucks Goaltender Marco Emond made a glove save while standing centered between the west-end pipes at the 2:44. But it was not scoreless for long as Forward James Hiebert scored the first goal of the morning at 5:22 on a power play to give the Bucks the first lead of the game 1-0. Assisting on the goal was newly promoted Captain Jeff Bes and Assistant Coach Chris Grenville. Goaltender Emond was sensational once again on a right pad save at 8:22 preventing a tie of the game. The Bucks continued to pour it on as Chris Grenville scored from the side to make the game 2-0 at 8:21. It was Grenville's 36th goal of the year. Assisting were defenseman Gabriel Proulx and forward James Hiebert. A few minutes after, it was defenseman Serge Dube's turn to score a goal after taking a pass from center Max Birbraer. It was a short-handed goal at 9:33. The Bucks were up 3-0. Goaltender Emond had another pad save preventing the Brahmas from scoring their first goal. I was amazed to see that the students were well awake as they were excited to see their Bucks leading 3-0. You could not hear yourself think. "Go Bucks Go" were the chants you would hear inside the arena. They were loud. They had a reason. Their Bucks were leading. Several posters from different schools were seen throughout the Arena. Who had the best one? It was hard to tell. They all had a "Catchy" phrase. The period ended with the Bucks still leading the Brahmas 3-0. The Brahmas were not able to capitalize on two power play opportunities. They were 0-2. They were in one penalty kill in this period. The Bucks capitalized 1-1 on the power play. They were in two penalty kills.
As the 2nd period began, Bucks fans were ready for more "Hard Hitting Action". The Bucks made all three goals in the 1st and the fans were waiting for more. "Go Bucks Go" could be heard once again as the Bucks attack the opposing net. The fans did not wait to long as the next goal was made by Bucks center Patrick Nilson on a beautiful wrist shot into the opposing net increasing the lead to 4-0 at 6:05 of the frame. It was Nilson's 22nd goal of the year. Assisting on the goal were defensemen Gabriel Proulx and Steve Weidlich. It was now a 4-0 Bucks lead. Bucks goaltender Marco Emond made another outstanding glove save from a sitting position to prevent the Brahmas from scoring their first. But, the Brahmas continue to attack their opposing net and accomplish their first goal of the game at 16:34. The shorthanded goal was made by Brahmas defenseman Scott McCallum and was assisted by right-winger Joey Bastien and forward Jeremy Vanin. The score was now 4-1. The Bucks were able to kill five penalties called in this period. At one time, they were two-man short. The Bucks continue to attack the Brahmas net and were able to score once again at 17:21 into the period on a power play. It was Chris Grenville once again for his second goal and 37th of the year. Assisting on the score was defenseman Serge Dube and Captain Jeff Bes. After 40 minutes of Hockey, the Bucks were leading the visiting Brahmas 5-1. The Brahmas were 0-7 on power play opportunities for the first 40 minutes of play. Their only goal so far was made while shorthanded. The Brahmas were in four penalty kills in this period. The Bucks score one goal under full strength and another goal on a power play. They were 2-5 on the power play in the first 40 minutes of play.
The 3rd period was expected to be rowdiest. Only 20 more minutes of hockey between both teams. After the game, I will have the opportunity to go downstairs to the Bucks locker room for an interview session with players. If the Bucks win this game they would be crowned Southeast Division Champions. Wait, why am I saying "If the Bucks Win" I know the Bucks will win this game.
As the 3rd period began, I was still amazed that the crowd was still into the game. The screaming and yelling began for the Bucks as they hit the ice. The first goal of this period was made by Bucks Captain Jeff Bes for his 31st of the year at 1:54. Assisting on the score were defenseman Mike Vellinga and right-winger Chris Grenville. The Bucks lead went up 6-1. The Brahmas did not let down as they were able to score their second goal at 7:25 on a power play. The goal was made by forward Chad Woollard. Assisting on the score were forwards T.J. Warkus and Justin Williams. The score was now 6-2 in favor of the Bucks. The final goal of the game was made by the Brahmas.forward Jeremy Vanin scored at 15:00 into the period on a power play. Brahmas center Jason Reesor and forward Chad Woollard assisted. As the final minutes of the game ticked on, my heart began to beat harder. Then the announcer yelled out that there was only one minute remaining in the game. It was when I began to realize that the Bucks would be crowned Champions of the Southeast Division. And then, you would hear the final blast of the Horn. The 7,125 Buck Fans in attendance went crazy. The final score was 6-3 which was visible on the Jumbotron and not only the score but, "The Laredo Bucks Southeast Division Champions". I was so excited for the win and the accomplishment made by the Bucks. For the first time in Bucks franchise history, they were crowned Division Champions. I am sure my parents were also excited as they were also in attendance. Bucks goaltender Marco Emond was outstanding turning away 24 of 27 shots. He improves to a 17-3-2 mark. Brahmas goaltender Erasmo Saltarelli stopped 19 of 25 shots falling to a 4-13-4 mark. The Bucks were 2-6 on the power play chance and the Brahmas were 2-12.
After the game, I had a chance to interview a few players and the coach. I Interviewed #12 Steve Simoes, #1 Marco Emond, Laredo Bucks Head couch Terry Ruskowski and #35 David Guerrera.
#12 Steve Simoes
Q: What made you want to come from Canada to the Border to México?
A: I heard it was a great place in the summer and I decided to come. Terry (coach) told me I would like It and so far I do.
Q: Do the Fans encourage you to do your best in home games?
A: The fans give us no choice but to play our best. They are so heartfelt. They yell so much. They encourage you so much. Not just at the arena but, off the ice. I mean like you're walking around town like hey good game, how it's going and it shows in our record. We only lost six games and only one all year at home but, the fans at home really treat us very well.
Q: Which CHL team do you find most competitive?
A: Ah, that's a good one, the teams we play a lot are competitive because they know us so well. The ones we play once try to prove themselves and try to come out and play their best game. I don't know. It's not one team in particular but, I think of all the teams, Colorado put out a good fight, Bossier-Shreveport did and in our Division every team puts out a good fight.
Q: If you get called up to a higher league do you have the choice to accept or decline the request?
A: Ah, if I would get called up I would definitely accept. I don't think I would ever decline. Go up the next level. When you go up the next level it's a positive thing for your career. All though my heart is here in Laredo, I would like to move up to San Antonio or anywhere else that would call me up. It would be a tough decision specially with playoffs just around the corner. But if the time comes, Terry and I would sit down and talk. I don't know. But, for now I'm here in Laredo.
Q: If you have tried Mexican food before, which is your favorite dish?
A: Wow, I really like Mariachi Express I don't know why but it is really good. The one dish I particularly like, I really like menudo. Besides that, I really go for taquitos. I love taquitos at What-a-Burger. Those are real good for anytime of the day. Those are probably the only two things. Menudo and taquitos.
#1 Marco Emond
Q: What made you want to come from Canada to the Border to México?
A: Ah, well I'm open to play anywhere in hockey. I talked to my agent and he said it would be a good place to go and I just followed his advice and I came down to Laredo and so far I love it.
Q: Do the fans encourage you to do your best in home games?
A: Yeah, we have close to 7,000 people every game.
Q: Which CHL team do you find most competitive?
A: Ah, I would say, it's a hard question. I would say it's the Colorado Eagles are a very good team. But, also I would say the Amarillo Gorillas. We played them twice and we haven't won a game against them this year and they are in our conference and we probably going to play them in the playoffs.
Q: If you get called up to a higher league do you have the choice to accept or decline the request?
A: Yes I do, but you play hockey to move up a level and I really love it here in Laredo. Its harder to go like when, I went up to San Antonio it was hard because I didn't have much friends and my family is down here in Laredo. If you get called up, you wanna go and do the best you can.
Q: If you have tired Mexican food before, which is your favorite dish?
A: Ah, I like tacos and chicken enchiladas. I'm not a big fan of Mexican food but what I eat I like.
Laredo Bucks coach Terry Ruskowski
Q: What made you want to come from Canada to the Border to México?
A: Well, the coaching opportunity was here. We have a beautiful facility. We knew that Laredo fans would really be supportive of us and its fun to play here in Laredo. Of all the places I've been, Laredo has treated me the best. I am very fortunate to be here.
Q: Do the fans encourage you to do your best in home games as a coach?
A: Yeah, absolutely. It gets to the point where you wanna win in front of them and that means you have to be on top of your game as a coach and the players do also. We don't want to let our fans down so we have to play hard and I have to make sure my players are prepared to play hard and do the things they have to do to win a hockey game. So yeah, we want to win in front of our crowd all the time and they support us well so we don't want to let them down.
Q: If a higher league calls you up and do have a choice to accept or decline the request?
A: I do have the choice to accept it or decline. But, nothing has come up yet and I am very happy where I am right now.
Q: If you have tried Mexican food before, which is your favorite dish?
A: Wow, I have tried Mexican food before. I like enchiladas. I like chicken and cheese enchiladas. I like salsa I think that's really good. There are a lot of other things that I tried that I really like, I just don't know how to pronounce them.
#35 David Guerrera
Q: What made you want to come from Canada to the Border to Mexico?
A: Ah, I heard that it was a great place to play. The coach wanted me to come here. I wanted to take a chance.
Q: Do the fans encourage you to do your best in home games?
A: For sure, especially when you get that many fans it helps a lot. Sometimes when you are not really up for a game, the fans help a lot. Gets you up.
Q: Which CHL team do find most competitive?
A: Ah, myself I would say probably Amarillo they gave us a hard time especially last Saturday. The team I've played the most is Corpus Christi and they score a lot more goals on me. For me, I'd say Corpus Christi.
Q: If you get call up to a higher league do you a choice to accept or decline the request?
A: It's pretty much up to you but usually the coach has a say. You can decline or accept.
Q: If you have tried Mexican food before, which is your favorite dish?
A: Ah, I would say fajitas or quesadillas. One of those two.
I'd like to thank Joe Dominey for helping me with my report, Erin for showing me around the LEC and helping me with all the things I needed to know to make my report possible. Steve Cherwonak for accepting me to become one of the Laredo Bucks junior reporters. Steve Simoes, Marco Emond, Terry Ruskowski, and David Guerrera for allowing me to interview them. You all made my Journalism career possible.
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Central Hockey League Stories from February 25, 2004
- Laredo Bucks Weekly Update - Laredo Bucks
- Longest road trip of season continues tonight - Indianapolis Ice
- Samantha Hawkins - Junior Reporter - Laredo Bucks
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