Sunday Evening

The Bucks are probably resting happily on the bus right now after going to Prescott Valley and sweeping their 2-game series against the Arizona Sundogs in spite of the majority of the team (and staff) having colds and being a bit downtrodden after two poor efforts to end that 7-game homestand.

I wasn't able to watch the majority of each game for various reasons, but I did keep up with them, and it seems the third period in Friday's 5-4 win and the first two in Saturday's 5-2 win had to have been some of the best the Bucks have had this season. The first two on Friday and the third on Saturday are probably going to get some complaints, though, but I'm going to wait until tomorrow to find out because I think Coach Ruskowski deserves a break.

With those wins, the Bucks improved to 12-5-0 on the season, and their 24 points have them in first place in the Southeast Division, just ahead of the Texas Brahmas with 23 (11-5-1). The Bucks are also tied with the Odessa Jackalopes (11-5-2) atop the Southern Conference standings after the Jackalopes swept their weekend games, finally winning one at home.

Oddly enough, the New Mexico Scorpions came out of that 6-2 loss to the Jackalopes and went to Oklahoma City to hand the Blazers just their second regulation loss of the season. Considering the way the Scorpions and Blazers had each been playing, that results kind of stunned me last night, and Bob Przybylo didn't seem any less surprised, as he called thefirst two periods "the worst 40 minutes I’ve seen." Seems the third period wasn't much better.

In Wichita, the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees took a 2-0 lead, let the Thunder tie it, took another lead, let the Thunder tie it, then scored with 21 seconds left in the game to grab a 4-3 win, their first regulation victory since Nov. 14.

Killer Bees winger Trevor Weisgerber left late in the game after being knocked unconscious, as noted in Vice President of Communications Rich Bocchini's press release. I didn't think too much of that, as I've seen it happen a few times and the guys be back at practice the next day, but I guess Weisgerber was a bit more shaken up than I expected, as Brian Sandalow posted an update on his condition today. If it was really that bad, I'm glad I wasn't watching that game. Hopefully Weisberger's flight home was a pleasant one. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

One game I would have liked to see was the Mississippi RiverKings' 1-0 win over the Corpus Christi IceRays, which Greg Rajan certainly seemed to enjoy. When the goalies get the first two stars in a game, you know it was a good one...and that the person choosing the three stars isn't preoccupied with flashy scoring or flying fists. Too bad only 2,749 fans were on hand for that one.
The Rapid City Rush had a bit of a better turnout for their home opener, in spite of the early start and the impending lights parade. In addition to the fans, the Rush had at least two reporters from the Rapid City Journal at the game, and Jim Holland and Jeff Budlong were clearly, and understandably, impressed.

Anyway, I know I probably talk a bit too much about the Penguins on here, all things considered, but I just feel obligated to share Sidney Crosby's hat trick from last night.




That first goal was insane. And who thought an empty netter could ever be remotely interesting? Awesome stuff.

The CHL is off today, while in the NHL, the Florida Panthers shut out the New York Rangers in a 4-0 win, the St. Louis Blues beat the Atlanta Thrashers 4-2, the puck just dropped between the Edmonton Oilers and Dallas Stars, and the Anaheim Ducks are at the Carolina Panthers in about an hour.

There was not a single OT game last night in the NHL or the CHL, which is pretty rare this season, especially for the NHL. But anyway, it's time to finish watching a team I dislike (the Pittsburgh Steelers) beat a team I hate (the New England Patriots). I'll update all scores when they go final.

NHL Scores: Panthers 4, Rangers 0; Blues 4, Thrashers 2; Stars 4, Oilers 3; Ducks 4, Hurricanes 1.