Game No. 19 - Bucks vs. Sundogs

Starters: Bucks - Sebastien Centomo (G), Jason Dixon (F), Alex Goupil (F), Jaye Judd (D), Joey Olson (F), Adam Rivet (D); Sundogs - Peter Cartwright (F), Joel Gistedt (G), Kyle Hood (D), A.J. MacLean (F), Andre Selander (F), Matt Suderman (D).

First Period: Last night's star Darryl Smith just got sent to the box for slashing at 1:28 to give the Sundogs the first power play of the game. Neither team has taken a shot yet. ... Smith came out of the box just in time to blindside Tyler Liebel and lead to a steal that set up a good chance for the Bucks, but they came into the zone offsides and will have to try that one again. ... There's been a lot of pushing and shoving so far, but not much else. Guess these guys become quick enemies last weekend, considering neither team kept most of its players from last season. ... Salvis just stole the puck and went one-on-one with Gistedt but couldn't get it past him. He did, however, draw a slashing penalty against Kyle Hood, which puts the Bucks on their first power play of the game. ... I don't talk much about "going five hole" on here because guys in this league usually don't, but Jeff Bes just did, and the Bucks now lead 1-0 at 12:11 in the period. The score, which came off a pass from Rick Kozak, is Bes' league-leading 36th point. Nice goal. ... The Bucks have gotten a few breakaway chances at this point, but Gistedt has stopped them all. The latest one, an opportunity for Bobby Russell, has resulted in the Bucks' second power play as Rob Lehtinen is in the box for stick holding at 13:25 in the period. ... The Bucks weren't able to do anything with that advantage and have now given one to the Sundogs as Goupil was called for tripping . ... I know I say this a lot, but Smith is seriously an impressive kid. Just scored his team, and league rookie-leading 14th goal of the year. Give Bes some of the credit for a nice feed, but Smith just seems to know exactly where to put the puck. Top shelf over Gistedt's right shoulder and outstretched arm this time. That was a shorthanded goal, as Goupil is still in the box. ... It seems the Killer Bees' woes have followed them back home, as they went down 2-0 early to the IceRays, prompting Chris Brooks to pull goalie Christian Boucher, then Wylie Rogers quickly allowed another goal. Two of the three were power play scores, so I guess that part of the IceRays' game has improved since I saw them last. ... Period is over; Bucks still lead 2-0. They are up 10-8 on shots right now, but that might get updated.

Second Period: The Bucks didn't lose any steam in the dressing room, and Olson has made it a 3-0 lead just 29 seconds into the period, grabbing the rebound of a shot by Goupil to knock in his second goal with the Bucks and first at the LEC. ... I am pretty sure I just witnessed the best goal I have ever seen at this level. Wow. Smith took a pass from Bes around center ice, somehow managed to sneak the puck around a Sundogs defender, then knocked it in as he was upended by one of the two D-men chasing him. Seriously, that was insane; so good, in fact, that my photographer just called me to say he has the "most awesome shot ever" as a result. Basically, the kid was in the air and still managed to send the puck over Gistedt's left shoulder. He kinda ended up in the net, too. Bucks lead 4-0 at 1:11 in the middle period. ... The Sundogs are visibly letting these goals get to them, and they have now given the Bucks another power play on a tripping call against Adam Perry, who has been pretty silent tonight. ... I really need to never say anything opinionated again. The Sundogs just got on the board on a shorthanded goal by Joel Irving. Liebel gets the assist. Bucks lead 4-1 at 4:34 in the period. ... Just realized Smith is now tied for the league lead in goals with Colorado Eagles winger Greg Pankewicz, which means the Bucks have the league's goals and assists leaders. ... Well, each of them can now add one of the other, as Bes just scored on an assist from Smith, who made yet another big play while being taken out by the Sundogs. I guess these guys took offense to me talking about the other lines starting to click because they have been crazy good the past two games. I've seen a lot of people discussing how great the dynamic of that line is, and I can't disagree. Bes does his job, Kozak does his and Smith is just stunning, especially for a rookie. ... Bobby Russell, who was the unsung hero in last night's win, is having another good game tonight; I still find it hard to believe that he's over 30 considering how fast and intense he is. ... The 5-foot-11, 190-pound Hood just pretty much got picked up and tossed to the ice by the 6-foot-3, 225-pound Kozak, yet they both got roughing penalties to make it 4-on-4 for a couple minutes here. ... The Bucks got a few more chances in the final couple minutes of that period but didn't score. They aren't letting up, though, so that's a good sign. Bucks lead 5-1 at the second intermission. ... Someone just actually won the shoot for gas thing. Holy crap.

Third Period: Four minutes and 10 seconds after the puck dropped to open the period, a whistle has finally blown, sending Kozak to the penalty box for roughing and giving the Sundogs their fourth power play. ... Just as Kozak came back on the ice, Mark Kolanos got the puck past Centomo on an assist from Henrik Ivarsson to make it 5-2. ... Judd is in the box now for holding, giving the Sundogs another power play. ... Goupil and Liebel have been in each others' faces all night long and just made something of it, dropping the gloves near center ice. Liebel, who is taller and has a longer reach, landed more punches, but Goupil, who is short but very solid, seemed no worse for the wear as he skated off the ice. The fight came with just 4:58 to play in the game, meaning their 5-minute majors sent them both to the dressing room early. Apparently Liebel also got a game misconduct for instigating, but no matter at this point. ... I'm not sure if the defense is slacking off or if Centomo just isn't on his game not having played in a while, but the Sundogs just pulled within two with 3:07 left in the game on a goal by Martin Gascon. Kolanos had the primary, and at this point only, assist. Nothing too spectacular about that one. Bucks lead 5-3.

Game Over: Bucks win 5-3, improve to 14-5-0 (28 points); Sundogs fall to 8-13-1 (17 pts.). The Jackalopes and Brahmas both won, so the Bucks stay tied atop the Southern Conference and keep their 3-point lead in the Southeast Division. I better hurry up and get interviews because everyone is going to be in a rush to get ready and get on the bus for the drive to North Richland Hills. ... I guess the Killer Bees read Brian Sandalow's game blog between periods and decided to show him exactly where that 5-0-0 team went. Nice comeback. ... My game story in tomorrow's paper will be a bit on the short side (at least for me) to leave more space for the All-District football stories, but I will probably do some blogging between periods of the Pens' 1 p.m. game against the Ottawa Senators tomorrow. ... Seems Mark Messier's kid has already had his first CHL fight. Wonder if that'll be up on YouTube tomorrow.

Other Scores: Jackalopes 3, Oilers 1; Brahmas 4, Mudbugs 0; Killer Bees 5, IceRays 4 (OT); RiverKings 3, Rush 1; Scorpions 8, Gorillas 2.

NHL Scores: Canucks 2, Wild 1; Flames 4, Blue Jackets 3 (OT); Stars 2, Avalanche 1 (SO); Oilers 5, Kings 4 (SO).