Game No. 1 - Bucks vs. Rage

Starters: At least for the beginning of the game, coach is breaking up the dynamic defensive duo of Dube and Rivet (though I expect we'll still see them together on the power play), with Dube and rookie Devin Featherstone getting the start on D. Expectably, Bes, Russell and Smith are the starting forwards, while Centomo is between the pipes. For the Rage, Cullaton, Daymen Rycroft and Mark Versteeg-Lytwyn are the starting forwards, Tyler Butler and Rob Chappell will start on defense and Scott Reid gets the start in goal.

First Period: The game is finally about to start as of 8 p.m., or at least as soon as they finish cleaning up after the fireworks. ... Smith will center the top line, with Bes to his left and Russell to his right. Centomo isn't getting much time to break in his crease, but he seems ready to go. ... Goupil has scored the Bucks' first goal of the 2008-09 season on a flip shot over Reid's left shoulder into the top shelf 12:06 into the opening period Lizon and Jason Dixon get the assists. The goal comes with the Rage having outshot the Bucks 11-6 so far. ... The Rage are on the board, thanks to a bit of a slip-up by the defense, which left Colt King alone behind the net, allowing him to send a perfect centering pass to David Morelli, who was camped out right on top of Centomo, also unguarded. Score is tied 1-1. ... Okay, make that 2-1 Bucks, as Smith scored less than a minute after the Rage goal. It was Smith's first professional goal, with assists going to Bes and Russell. Smith is a very happy camper right now. ... The period is over, with the Bucks still leading 2-1. The Rage have a slim lead in shots, having taken 12 to the Bucks' 11. ... Coach had said all he wanted was for the guys to play the systems as well as they could tonight, and he can't be too unhappy so far. Other than a couple of turnovers and that defensive snafu, they are doing everything quite well. Dixon has quite a knack for centering passes, which certainly never hurts. Bes, Russell and Smith already have a great feel for each other on the ice. Centomo is doing an expectably outstanding job; that goal was unstoppable. ... The Bucks are 0-for-2 on the power play, while they have held the Rage 0-for-3, including a 90-second 5-on-3 opportunity. Bes, newcomer Judd and Rivet killed the majority of that disadvantage. As expected, the preferred power play unit is the top line plus Dube and Rivet. Also, it seems Agarunov will play as a defenseman during the power plays for which he is on the ice. At one point, he was out with Dixon, Gooch, Goupil and Summers, meaning there were five scoring threats on at the same time, similar to the top power play unit. Not too shabby.

Second Period: Apparently Dixon can shoot pretty well, too. He has his first professional goal just 50 seconds into the middle period. Goupil with the centering pass, and Agarunov with the second assist. Bucks lead 3-1. ... Bucks up 4-1 on Smith's second goal of the game. Russell set it up, and I know I've said some nice things about other centering passes tonight, but wow. That was seriously incredible. The goal came on a power play, breaking the Bucks' slump on the man advantage. ... Apparently, the off-ice officials are giving the assists to Dube and Bes, but I am fairly certain that Russell fed that goal. Hopefully that will get fixed if so. ... Okay, make that 5-1. Dixon with his second, also the second on the power play for the Bucks. Assists are going to Agarunov and Goupil. ... Smith has a hat trick. Already. Wow. Another power play goal, this one 6:32 into the middle period. I think everyone is going to be asking Matt Brayfield for shaving cream facials now. I knew this kid was good from watching him in practice, but this is pretty crazy. I guess having two very talented veteran linemates never hurt, but seriously, wow. I really wish I knew some more hockey trivia, but it can't be too frequent for a player to register a hat trick in his first professional game. Russell and Bes had the assists on that goal. Bucks lead 6-1. ... Tracy Egeland has understandably decided to make a goalie change. Marty Magers is in now for the Rage. ... Bucks lead 7-1 on a goal by Russell. Far from the first of his pro career, but it is his first in Laredo. He brought the puck up the ice alone, then almost lost it for a second before whipping around to flip it around Magers. The goal, which was assisted by Bes, came shorthanded, giving the Bucks four special teams goals so far tonight. About 90 seconds left in the period, and I'm sure the Rage cannot wait for that time to run out. ... The period is finally over, with the Bucks having outshot the Rage 16-12 and outscored them 5-0. They take the 7-1 lead into the final period. ... The assists on Dixon's second goal have been changed, with Goupil getting the second instead of Gooch. The change is reflected above. ... And now Bes has been given an assist on the Russell goal, which seems a bit off to me, but oh well. That change is also reflected above.

Third Period: The first five minutes of the final period have been fairly uneventful, but with 14:22 left to play, the Bucks are starting an 87-second 5-on-3. ... Nothing doing on the 5-on-3, as the Rage were able to keep the Bucks from adding to their lead. ... Moggach got a big chance on a breakaway but was stopped by Magers, who has been fairly impressive in his time so far. ... Goupil just broke his stick on a slap shot. I know that's not the most telling sign, but they are not letting up at all in spite of the lead. That's good to see; the last thing you want is for a team to get too relaxed just because they're up big in their first game of the season. ... Bucks fans are continuing their tradition of booing Cullaton every time he touches the puck. I still don't see why that's necessary, but to each his own.

Game Over: Bucks win 7-1, outshooting the Rage 35-32.

Three Stars: No. 1 Darryl Smith, No. 2 Jason Dixon, No. 3 Sebastien Centomo.

Note: I think I will make a habit of keeping a list of the scores from other CHL games at the bottom of my live game blogs. I will update them as often as possible, so what you see at any given time should be what the score is then. So here you go...

Other Scores: Mudbugs 5, Brahmas 1 (F); RiverKings 3, Thunder 2 (F); Blazers 3, Oilers 2 (F-SO); Eagles 7, Rush 6 (F-SO); Scorpions 6, Gorillas 3 (F); Jackalopes 7, Sundogs 2 (F).

NHL Scores: Rangers 1, Maple Leafs 0 (F-SO); Senators 6, Coyotes 3 (F); Blue Jackets 5, Predators 3 (F); Sabres 5, Canucks 2 (F); Oilers 4, Flames 3 (F); Ducks 4, Sharks 0 (F); Kings 4, Hurricanes 3 (F-OT).