Third Period Comeback Wins Fifth Straight Division Title For Bucks
February 22, 2008 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Laredo Bucks News Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, TX- The Laredo Bucks of the Central Hockey League won their fifth straight Southeast Division title as they came from behind to beat the Corpus Christi Rayz 6-3 Friday night, in front of 6,568 fans at the American Bank Center.
The Bucks scored five third period goals to come back from a 3-1 deficit entering the final period.
Alex Goupil would pull Laredo to within 3-2 4:08 into the period, as he sent a shot past Rayz goaltender Jason Tapp. The Bucks would tie the game 3-3 at the 9:52 mark of the third, when Matt Summers poked in a rebound from the left side of the crease past Tapp on the power-play. It was Laredo's second power-play goal of the night.
The Bucks (34-16-3, 71pts) would take a 4-3 lead with 5:06 left in the third, when Goupil streaked down the right side on a two on one and slipped the puck in between Tapp's legs and into the back of the net. It was Goupil's second goal of the night, and 16th of the season. Laredo would make it 5-3 nearly one minute later as Derek Legault slipped a rebound in from the left side of the crease past Tapp. James Hiebert would add an empty net goal with 36 seconds left to make it 6-3.
Goupil finished with two goals and one assist, while Hiebert tallied twice to lead the Bucks into the playoffs for the sixth straight season.
Laredo's lead over Arizona for the number one seed in the Southern Conference remains at eight, as the Sundogs beat New Mexico 6-5.
Laredo, who has now won four straight road games (15-10-2), jumped out on top of Corpus Christi as they netted a power-play goal 11:55 into the first period. James Hiebert scored his 23rd goal of the season, as he sent a wrist shot from the right hash mark in the slot past Rayz goaltender Jason Tapp. Andrew Desjardins (31st) and Jeff Bes (47th) picked up assists on the tally.
The Bucks outshot the Rayz in the period 13-9, with both goaltenders making several tough saves. Laredo goaltender Dustin Traylen stopped all nine shots in the period, while Tapp set aside 12 of 13 Bucks attempts.
The first period was a bit physical, with Laredo picking up 26 penalty minutes, 17 by Alex Penner alone, and the Rayz had 18 minutes of penalties in the period.
The Rayz came storming back in the second period as they scored three straight goals to take a 3-1 lead into the third.
Corpus tied it at 1-15:30 into the period, as Justin Quenneville deflected a shot in the crease past Traylen on the power-play. Quenneville's deflection came off of a shot from Geno Parrish. The Rayz took a 2-1 lead 11:02 into the period as they scored their second straight power-play goal. Joe Blaznek sent a slap shot from the bottom of the right circle past a sprawling Traylen. Blaznek would give the Rayz a 3-1 lead with just 2:07 left in the period as he broke free past the Bucks defense and scored on a break-away past Traylen.
The Rayz outshot the Bucks in the period 9-6.
Traylen stopped 21 of 24 Rayz shots to pick up his 19th win in net for the Bucks, while Tapp suffered the loss as he set aside 28 of 33 Bucks attempts.
The Bucks will be back in action 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=534666
*Bucks Press Conference Monday 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.
**Texas Lottery Night February 29th**
The Bucks will host Texas Lottery Night when they host the Texas Brahmas on February 29th at the Laredo Entertainment Center. Game time is set for 7:30pm. Group tickets are available starting at $10, with individual tickets starting at $12.75. Call 718-BUCK (2825) to order yours today.
The first 1,800 fans ages 18 and older to enter the LEC will receive a voucher that will enter them in the Texas Lottery Race during the second intermission. Those fans who win the race will receive one free Texas Lottery Scratch off ticket ( one out of every three fans will win) Remember the Texas Lottery supports Texas education, so play the games of Texas from the Texas Lottery because next time it could be you!
Central Hockey League Stories from February 22, 2008
- Sundogs Maintain Hold on Division Lead with 6-5 Comeback Win - Arizona Sundogs
- Rayz Pack The House In 6-3 Loss To Laredo - Corpus Christi IceRays
- Eagles Soar Past SteelHounds, 7-3 - Colorado Eagles
- Rage Burn Blazers, 4-0 - Rocky Mountain Rage
- Sundogs Slip Past Scorpions - New Mexico Scorpions
- Third Period Comeback Wins Fifth Straight Division Title For Bucks - Laredo Bucks
- Brahmas busted by 'Bugs - Fort Worth Brahmas
- Hounds Fall To Eagles 7-3 - Youngstown SteelHounds
- Mudbugs Win Hard Fought Battle With Brahmas in Texas - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
- Cook's Hat Trick Power Bats to 5-3 Win - Austin Ice Bats
- Oilers Top Gorillas 6-5 in Shootout - Amarillo Gorillas
- NYTEX Sports Introduces New Texas Brahmas Youth Hockey Association - Fort Worth Brahmas
- Join the Mudbugs in Helping Abused Kids - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
- RiverKings Support the Troops - Mississippi RiverKings
- Riverkings Attendance Continues Climbing - Mississippi RiverKings
- Tonight is Gorillas Trading Card Night - Amarillo Gorillas
- Bucks Go For Division Tonight In Corpus - Laredo Bucks
- Bucks Can Clinch Division Tonight Vs. Rayz - CHL
- Ice Bats Go Back To School In February - Austin Ice Bats
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