Game No. 8 - Bucks at Killer Bees

Starters: Bucks - Jeff Bes (F), Sebastien Centomo (G), Serge Dube (D), Mike Gooch (D), Rick Kozak (F), Darryl Smith (F); Bees - Travis Banga (F), Christian Boucher (G), Kurtis Dulle (D), Jay Hardwick (D), Evan Rankin (F), Trevor Weisgerber (F).

First Period: So far, we've had about seven minutes of decently paced, penalty-free hockey. Bizarre. ... Of course, the first call of the game came immediately following that comment. Well, not quite immediately. Steve Weidlich is in the box for hooking . ... This PA announcer is giving me quite a headache. ... Bucks killed that penalty and now have an power play on a holding call against Ryan Shmyr. ... I could be wrong, but I think Bobby Russell just blocked what could have been a Bucks goal otherwise. Boucher made a nice save to follow, though, so I guess he deserves some credit. ... Each team is 0-for-1 on the power play; scoreboard says shots are 16-7 in favor of the Bees. ... Dulle is in the box for slashing with a little over four minutes to play in the period. ... Gooch has his first goal of the season, and his professional career, on a lovely little pass from Bes, who was camped out to Boucher's left. The Bucks had a few other chances on that advantage but were finally able to net one with 3:09 to play in the opening frame. ... The Bucks are back on the power play thanks to a hooking penalty on Brian Bicek with 2:11 to go. ... Bucks lead 1-0 heading into the first intermission.

Second Period: Travas Banga has tied it at 3:23 in the middle period on the Bees' 18th shot of the game. Weisgerber and Jay Hardwick. ... Bucks are on their first power play of the second now, as Jesse Bennefield has been called for hooking. ... Bees killed that one and now have a power play of their own as Ryan Penney is in the box for hooking. ... We have some pushing and shoving in front of the Bucks' net, as it seems Brian Bicek is the subject of some bullying tonight. The Bucks knew heading into this one that slowing down the smaller, faster guys would be an objective of theirs, and they are acting on that. ... And now, one of the Bucks' smaller guys has gotten into his first fight, as Penney apparently went after Robin Bouchard on his way out of the box and got an expectable response in the form of some fists to the face from Rob Voltera. Not much of a fight, but both of them are now serving 5-minute minors. ... Dube has joined Penney in the box on a hooking call, giving the Bees their third power play. ... These teams seem to like going back and forth with the power plays here, and the Bucks now have another on an interference call against Aaron Lee. ... And now Olson is in the box for goaltender interference after effectively tackling Boucher. Interesting. ... Devin Featherstone will serve the final 55 seconds of the second period and first 1:05 of the third for tripping, while Banga is five seconds behind for hooking. ... Matt Summers has his first point as a RiverKing after assisting on a Jeff Nelson goal as Mississippi leads Colorado 5-2 in the third. ... Game is tied 1-1 as the second intermission begins. Bes and Voltera exchanged words as they skated off, not sure what kind of words, though.

Third Period: The RiverKings just defeated the Eagles 6-2, meaning the Bees are at this very moment the last unbeaten team in the CHL. ... The Bucks just came back on the ice to the loudest boos they've gotten so far tonight...and the tune of "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun." ... First penalty of the final period has been committed at 1:27, as Agarunov has been called for hooking. Apparently Bennefield was called for holding at the end of the second, so it's a 4-on-4 for now, then a Bees' power play for 1:26. ... Immediately after Sandalow remarked to me that "'Sea Bass' has been outstanding tonight," the Bees took a 2-1 lead on a power-play goal by Weisgerber at the 3-minute mark in the period. That isn't to say Centomo hasn't been outstanding, with 31 saves so far, but sheesh. ... Another slightly separated set of penalties, with Banga going to the box for hooking at 7:04 in the period, and Smith following later seconds later for slashing. ... Smith just had a wide-open opportunity one-on-one and hit the post. Bucks are still down 2-1 with 10:12 to play. ... Bucks have hit the post two more times since that Smith shot, most recently on a Kozak shot that could have been a goal for sure if properly aimed. Coach Ruskowski isn't screaming just yet, but I wouldn't bet on that lasting too long. ... Actually, it seems like he might be too mad to yell. Their play this period has been sloppy to say the least. Same score with five to play. ... Goupil has been called for tripping with 4:51 to play, which resulted in a shoving match and war of words between Weidlich and Voltera. Bicek and Goupil seemed a bit testy with each other, as well. ... Everyone thought the Bees might be tired following the long bus ride last night, but their offense certainly isn't missing any beats as far as shots on goal, of which they have 48 with 2:30 left in the game. I am glad I didn't come on the bus with the team to this game. ... Smith just missed by inches again. No offense to Boucher's performance tonight, but he is getting pretty lucky with some of these shots. ... Centomo is out, and the Bucks have six guys in the Bees' zone for the last 1:11 or so, if they can keep the puck. Dixon, Dube, Goupil, Kozak, Rivet and Russell are out there. ... And now they will all get a point taken off their plus/minus, as Banga scored an empty netter to make it 3-1 with 32.9 seconds in the game.

Game Over: Killer Bees 3, Bucks 1. I'm sure no one expected to hear this when last season ended, but the Bees are officially the last undefeated team in the CHL. They improve to 5-0-0, while the Bucks fall t0 5-3-0, leaving the teams tied atop the Southest Division standings with 10 points apiece.

Notes: When I spoke to Ruskowski after the game, his first words were about the fact that he will be making more roster moves this weekend. Who do you think will be out? I have some guesses, especially after tonight...

Other Scores: RiverKings 6, Eagles 2 (F); Blazers 2, IceRays 1 (F); Sundogs 3, Jackalopes 2 (SO); Oilers 3, Thunder 1 (F); Rage 6, Scorpions 3 (F).

NHL Scores: Edmonton Oilers 3, Carolina Hurricanes 1; Chicago Blackhawks 4, Columbus Blue Jackets 3 (SO); New Jersey Devils 6, Atlanta Thrashers 1; Toronto Maple Leafs 5, New York Rangers 2; Montreal Canadiens 5, New York Islanders 4; Boston Bruins 5, Dallas Stars 1; Buffalo Sabres 5, Washington Capitals 0; Tampa Bay Lightning 3, Ottawa Senators 2 (SO); Calgary Flames 3, Los Angeles Kings 2; Minnesota Wild 3, Phoenix Coyotes 2.