Game No. 17 - Bucks at Sundogs

As was the case last night, the Bucks will be starting a little later than we're used to, so I'll just post other scores in the meanwhile, though probably not as frequently. I hate it when I can only listen to the Pens' games and Crosby scores "impossible" goals. Le sigh! Okay, hate is probably the wrong word, but someone better YouTube that.

You can follow the Bucks game on Pointstreak, watch it on Nifty or read about it here.

First Period: In an odd twist, rookie backup Ryan Gibb is starting again tonight. Maybe he was so good in the third period last night that Coach Ruskowski couldn't bear to bench him tonight...or maybe something is wrong with Sebastien Centomo and no one is letting the word out. Joe Gistedt is starting again for the Sundogs, as well. ... The Bucks have taken an early lead on Igor Agarunov's first goal since Nov. 8. It was assisted by Bobby Russell, which means it came during a line change or the lines are being tweaked. Bucks lead 1-0 less than a minute into the game. ... Alex Goupil has been called for cross-checking to give the Sundogs the first power play of the game at 5:11 in the period. ... The penalty has been killed, and either Arizona's Poinstreak people don't like updating shots or only one has been made in the first 7:26 of this game, that one being Agarunov's goal. ... Okay, shots are up to two for the Bucks and three for the Sundogs as of 9:12 in the period. ... Bucks get their first power play as Kyle Hood has been called for high sticking just past the halfway mark of the period. ... The Bucks made the most of that advantage, adding to their lead on a goal by Serge Dube at 11:34 in the period. Jeff Bes and Darryl Smith had the assists. Bucks lead 2-0. ... Over in Penguins land, Crosby just went to the box for roughing 6-foot-5, 230-pound Mike Rupp (who earned an identical penalty). As much as those situations are worrisome, they're a little bit awesome, too. ... Three simultaneous penalties at 16:19 in the period have put the Sundogs on their second power play. Dube and Karl Sellan were called for roughing, while Joey Olson got nabbed for interference. ... I think Poinstreak is confused because it has Olson scoring a shorthanded goal while being in the penalty box. But, it did happen after his penalty expired, so who knows. Bes has the only assist for now, and the Bucks lead 3-0. They must really want to be able to watch TV on the bus tonight. ... Rick Kozak and Sellan duked it out to end the period (well, with eight seconds to play), and Kozak picked up a roughing penalty in addition to five for fighting, so the Sundogs will start the second period on a power play. Bucks lead 3-0 heading into the first intermission in spite of being outshot 11-9. The shorthanded tag has been taken away from Olson's goal, so it seems he really did finally score his first as a Buck. Good for him. He's been skating his butt off and playing fairly fearlessly in spite of his size; it had to pay off eventually.

Second Period: Rookie defenseman Devin Featherstone has tacked on another one for the Bucks at 6:18 in the period, assisted by Jason Dixon and Goupil. The goal was scored during the Bucks' second power play, created by a tripping call against Chris Bartolone, making them 2-for-2 on the advantage tonight. Bucks lead 4-0. ... Sellan sure seems to be a fighting mood tonight, as he has just dropped the gloves with Steve Weidlich at 8:37 in the period. ... Okay, apparently everyone is in a fighting mood. I have to pull wire stories and photos, so I'm not going to list all the penalties right now, but it seems things are getting feisty at Tim's Toyota Center. Bucks still hold a 4-o lead with 5:11 to play in the period. ... Make that 4-0 heading into the second intermission. This game is kinda taking a while; I hope it finishes before our deadline. Shots are even at 19. ... Okay, now they're not. Bucks are up 22-21 on shots, having taken 13 to the Sundogs' 10 in the period.

Third Period: Sorry for the recent delay in updates; things are always busier as deadline approaches. Smith has scored a goal of his own to put the Bucks up 5-0. Erick Lizon had the assist. ... The Sundogs have finally gotten in the board at 15:26 in the period, as Mark Kolanos scored during a power play created by a roughing penalty against none other than Gibb. Guess he can't blame anyone but himself for creating that opportunity. Sellan and Jon Landry had the assists. Bucks lead 5-1 with 4:34 to play in the game. ... Make that 5-2, as the Sundogs netted another one just 33 seconds after the first. Something certainly messed with Gibb's concentration. Adam Perry scored this one, on an assist from Cory Stillman.

Game Over: Bucks win 5-2, improve to 12-5-0 (24 points) and retain their Southeast Division lead. Gibb saved 31 of 33 shots and had a shutout up until the final five minutes.

Other Scores: Rush 4, Eagles 0; RiverKings 1, IceRays 0; Scorpions 3, Blazers 0; Killer Bees 4, Thunder 3; Oilers 6, Jackalopes 4; Brahmas 5, Mudbugs 1; Gorillas 3, Rage 2.

NHL Scores: Oilers 4, Blues 2; Kings 5, Blackhawks 2; Islanders 4, Senators 2; Blue Jackets 2, Capitals 0; Bruins 4, Red Wings 1; Canadiens 3, Sabres 2; Maple Leafs 3, Flyers 1; Penguins 4, Devils 1; Wild 6, Predators 2; Avalanche 4, Lightning 3; Sharks 3, Coyotes 2; Flames 3, Canucks 1.