Game No. 16 - Bucks at Sundogs

The Bucks and Sundogs won't be getting underway until 7:05 p.m. Mountain Time, so I'll be updating other scores until then. You can read the pre-game notes for the Bucks' game here.

First Period: I guess Coach Ruskowski knew what he was talking about; Adam Perry has opened the game's scoring with a goal against rookie backup goaltender Ryan Gibb, who was given the start tonight. Cory Stillman had the assist. The goal came 7:45 into the game, then Steve Weidlich was called for the game's first penalty at 8:35 for interference. ... Fifteen seconds after they killed that penalty, the Bucks tied it up on rookie defenseman Jaye Judd's first professional goal, which is currently listed as unassisted, at 10:50 in the period. Sean Zimmerman took the Sundogs' first penalty, also for interference, a minute and 13 seconds later. ... Bobby Russell has been called for slashing to put the Sundogs on a power play for the final 1:12 of the first and the first 48 seconds of the second. ... End of the period; still tied 1-1. Bucks lead 10-5 on shots.

Second Period: Russell gave the Bucks a 2-1 lead on assists from Adam Rivet and Adam Goupil at 1:03 in the period, then Erick Lizon and Matt Suderman dropped the gloves six seconds later. ... That didn't last long; Karl Sellan has tied it at 2 on an assist from Mark Kolanos at 1:15. ... Serge Dube got called for slashing at 2:02 to give the Sundogs their third power play, but that was killed. ... Weidlich is back in the box, this time for board checking, to give the Sundogs their fourth advantage at 7:01. ... Kolanos scored on the power play to give the Sundogs a 3-2 lead. Jon Landry had the assist. ... Sundogs lead 4-2 now on a goal by Andre Selander. Tyler Liebel and Peter Cartwright had the assists. Gibb has allowed four goals on just 11 shots, but who knows how much of his fault that has been. ... The Brahmas have lost, so the Bucks could take back over first place in the division with a win or move into a tie with an OT loss. The Jackalopes, however, finally looked dominant at home and will hold at least a share of the conference lead. ... Rick Kozak got sent to the box for interference with 2:07 to play in the period, but the Bucks killed that one and the game is heading into its second intermission with the Sundogs up 4-2. Bucks were outshot 15-6 in the second period and have allowed five power plays while only having one of their own.

Third Period: Alright, I am actually watching this on Nifty now...at least as much as the feed is allowing. But, of course, I missed the five penalties to start the period. Lizon and Suderman fought again, and Kozak and Liebel got called for unsportsmanlike conduct. Additionally, Selander got called for charging, so that'll make it a Bucks power play. ... Ouch, that was loud. The Bucks just scored to make it 4-3. Rivet appears to have had the goal, but it may have been deflected. ... Rivet did indeed get the goal, his and third of the season, on assists from Jeff Bes and Darryl Smith. ... Pointstreak has had the Rage-Gorillas game in the second intermission for well over an hour, and it is starting to get on my nerves. Wonder what's up over there. ... Devin Featherstone and Sellan just tangled, earning interference and unsportsmanlike conduct penalties, to make it 4-on-4 at 3:08 in the period. ... Apparently Joel Gistedt has Russell's number...well, other than on that one goal. ... Rookie center Ryan Salvis has finally scored his first goal for the Bucks, tying the game at 4 with 9:21 to play in the game. Russell on the assist. ... Smith is headed to the box with 7:54 to play on a slashing call. ... Bucks killed that one and get a power play of their own now with 5:14 to play on a tripping call against Suderman. ... Bucks had a no-goal on a puck waved dead before it crossed the goal line but couldn't get anything else on that power play. Back to even strength with 3:14 to go. ... Scratch that, as the Sundogs will go back on the power play as Russell was called for interference after flattening Sellan. ... Well, the Sundogs just did the Bucks a big favor by getting called for unsportsmanlike conduct right after that penalty, so it'll be 4-0n-4 instead of a Sundogs' power play. ... Bucks have taken a 5-4 lead with 54 seconds left in the game on a "rocket" from Goupil, assisted by Rivet. ... Technical difficulties are just no fun, especially when they result in loud dial tones on my earbuds.

Game Over: Bucks win 5-4, improve to 11-5-0 (22 points) and take back over the Southeast Division standings. Seemed like a pretty decent win from what I could tell, especially with the third-period comeback. By the way, what is with the RiverKings? They mess up two teams considered to be a bit better than the IceRays but choke against the IceRays twice in a 5-day span. Weird. Oh, and that Rage-Gorillas game seems to have started up again. Strange stuff.

Other Scores: Jackalopes 6, Scorpions 2; Blazers 2, Brahmas 1; IceRays 5, RiverKings 1; Mudbugs 4, Killer Bees 3; Thunder 4, Oilers 3 (SO); Eagles 7, Rush 1; Rage 5, Gorillas 4.

NHL Scores: Bruins 7, Islanders 3; Hurricanes 3, Flyers 2 (OT); Wild 4, Lightning 2; Ducks 1, Blackhawks 0; Coyotes 2, Avalanche 1; Capitals 3, Canadiens 0; Red Wings 5, Blue Jackets 3; Predators 4, Thrashers 3 (OT); Rangers 4, Panthers 3 (SO); Sabres 4, Penguins 3; Sharks 6, Stars 2.