Shots from the Point
Published on March 27, 2009 under Central Hockey League (CHL) News Release
1- After last night's two deciding Opening Round series, the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs (defeated Rocky Mountain) and the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees (defeated Corpus Christi) will be moving on to their respective conference semifinals. For the Killer Bees, it marks the first series win in franchise history (1-3) and for the Mudbugs the series win erases the taste of last year's series loss to Texas. The 'Bugs will now head back to Colorado where they just played on Monday night in Game One versus the Rocky Mountain Rage to now take on the Governors' Cup Champion Colorado Eagles. The series begins on Sunday, March 29th at the Budweiser Events Center. For RGV, they travel to Brahmaland where they begin their series with the Southern Conference Champion Texas Brahmas on Saturday night.
2- For the second straight night, the Mississippi RiverKings took it to the Oklahoma City Blazers taking a 3-0 lead anda 4-1 lead before prevailing 5-3. In Wednesday's loss to the Blazers, the RiverKings outshot OKC 39-23. The win for Mississippi ties their best-of-seven series at one win apiece. The series now shifts to the Ford Center for Game Three on Wednesday, April 1st. The 'Kings were undefeated in OKC this season going 4-0.
3- The Southwest Division Champion Odessa Jackalopes open their best-of-seven Southern Conference Semifinals series tonight at the Jack Shack when they host the Laredo Bucks. The two teams are coming off an overly 'spirited' game on the last day of the regular season, a 5-2 Laredo win that saw the Bucks accumulate 70 penalty minutes (26 to James Hiebert). Odessa had won the previous three meetings taking the season series 3-1 (including 2-1 at the Ector County Coliseum). Rookie Jeff Pierce blazed through the series scoring five goals in the four games and the Odessa power play (second in the league during the regular season) went 7 for 28 versus Laredo (25%). Game Two will be on Saturday in Odessa with the first game in Laredo scheduled for Wednesday, April 1st.
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TIDBITS
-The Laredo Bucks have knocked the Odessa Jackalopes out of the playoffs during each of the Jacks last three appearances including last season thanks to a seven-game series sweep...Laredo is 11-3 all-time in the post-season versus the Jacks
-The Mississippi RiverKings head to Oklahoma City with their best-of-seven Northern Conference Semifinals series tied at one win apiece...This season, the 'Kings are 4-0 in the Ford Center winning all four contests by one goal...During the regular season, the RiverKings were 14-8-3 in one-goal games and the Blazers were 16-7-7
-The number of points that Texas defenseman Kevin McLeod has scored in his last five games leading all Brahmas players...The high-scoring d-man has two goals and four assists over his last handful of games
-Travis Clayton (BOS) leads all scorers in the post-season with eight points (4-4=8)
-OKC's Doug Groenestege left Thursday's loss to Mississippi in the first period with an undisclosed injury...He had stopped 47 of 50 shots in the series thus far (.940 save percentage)
UPCOMING PLAYOFF SCHEDULE
Friday, March 27
Laredo @ Odessa (Game 1 of their best-of-seven series), 7:05 PM (CST)
Saturday, March 28
Rio Grande Valley @ Texas (Game 1 of their best-of-seven series), 7:05 PM (CST)
Laredo @ Odessa (Game 2 of their best-of-seven series), 7:05 PM (CST)
Sunday, March 29
Bossier-Shreveport @ Colorado (Game 1 of their best-of-seven series), 7:05 PM (CST)
Rio Grande Valley @ Texas (Game 2 of their best-of-seven series), 3:05 PM (CST)
Monday, March 30
Bossier-Shreveport @ Colorado (Game 2 of their best-of-seven series), 7:05 PM (CST)
Central Hockey League Stories from March 27, 2009
- Smith's OT Goal Gives Bucks Win, 1-0 Series Lead - Laredo Bucks
- Centomo Delivers Game One for Bucks, 3-2 - Odessa Jackalopes
- Smith's OT Goal Gives Bucks Win, 1-0 Series Lead - Laredo Bucks
- Brahmas host playoff games this weekend, tickets going fast - Fort Worth Brahmas
- Eagles/Mudbugs Series Schedule Changed - CHL
- Complete Conference Semifinals Schedule Set - Colorado Eagles
- Previously Announced Schedule Incorrect - Colorado Eagles
- Complete Conference Semifinals Schedule Set - Colorado Eagles
- Shots from the Point - CHL
- Remaining Conference Semifinals Series' Set - CHL
- Brahmas Playoff Opponent Decided - Fort Worth Brahmas
- Mudbugs Top Rage, Advance to Round Two - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
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