The Rapid City Rush tied the Ray Miron Presidents’ Cup Finals up 2-2 with a 4-2 win over the Allen Americans in Game 4 tonight.
You can read about that game here.
Home ice has not been much of a factor so far, as each team has won in the other's arena, and the only consistency so far seems to be that the Rush win when they score more than two goals.
Game 5 will be played in Allen tomorrow night.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Allen Out in Front
The Americans took a 2-1 lead in the President's Cup Finals with a 5-2 win over the Rapid City Rush in Game 3 tonight.
Game 4 will be played in Allen on Friday.
Game 4 will be played in Allen on Friday.
Ruskowski a Paul Harris Fellow
The Laredo Rotary Club announced its Paul Harris Fellow honorees for 2010 yesterday, and Coach Ruskowski is one of them.
These awards honor people who have contributed to the Laredo community, particularly to the youth in the area, and there will be a ceremony to acknowledge the honorees on June 3 at the Texas A&M International University Fine Arts Recital Hall.
You can read more about the honor here or in Bryan Benway's press release, which focuses on Ruskowski's career and contributions.
These awards honor people who have contributed to the Laredo community, particularly to the youth in the area, and there will be a ceremony to acknowledge the honorees on June 3 at the Texas A&M International University Fine Arts Recital Hall.
You can read more about the honor here or in Bryan Benway's press release, which focuses on Ruskowski's career and contributions.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Finals Under Way
Sorry for yet another delay in posting, but the Ray Miron Presidents' Cup Finals are under way, and the Allen Americans and Rapid City Rush are tied 1-1 in the best-of-seven series.
The Rush knotted the series tonight with a 5-4 overtime win, while the Americans earned a 4-1 win in Game 1 last night.
Prior to the start of the series, Greg Rajan shared the predictions of players, team staff members and writers from around the league.
Brian Sandalow, meanwhile, shared a Q&A with Jim Holland from the Rapid City Journal.
In non-finals news, Kollen Long reported yesterday that the Wichita Thunder have hired head coach Kevin McClelland, who was recently let go by the Colorado Eagles when they put Chris Stewart back in that position.
The Rush knotted the series tonight with a 5-4 overtime win, while the Americans earned a 4-1 win in Game 1 last night.
Prior to the start of the series, Greg Rajan shared the predictions of players, team staff members and writers from around the league.
Brian Sandalow, meanwhile, shared a Q&A with Jim Holland from the Rapid City Journal.
In non-finals news, Kollen Long reported yesterday that the Wichita Thunder have hired head coach Kevin McClelland, who was recently let go by the Colorado Eagles when they put Chris Stewart back in that position.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Bucks Keeping Season Ticket Prices
The Bucks just announced their season ticket prices for the 2010-11 season, and those prices will not be changing for the fourth straight season.
I think it's fair to say season ticket holders are the ones who keep the Bucks going, and this is one of the ways the team has shown their appreciation for that fact.
I think it's fair to say season ticket holders are the ones who keep the Bucks going, and this is one of the ways the team has shown their appreciation for that fact.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Checking In
Sorry for the delay between posts, but I managed to get sick yet again, leaving me away from a computer for the majority of last week.
At this point, the Southern Conference Finals between the Allen Americans and Odessa Jackalopes are tied 3-3 after the Jackalopes managed a 4-3 overtime win last night to keep their season alive.
The Rapid City Rush hold a 3-2 advantage in the Northern Conference Finals and could clinch a spot in the President's Cup Finals in their second season of existence with a win over the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs in Game 6 tonight.
As always, you can catch up with all the league news on the CHL website or on Our Sports Central page.
On the Bucks' front, Bryan Benway has posted an interview with Coach Ruskowski that you can listen to here.
Benway has also written a couple blogs since the end of the season, including one about the Bucks' "needs and wants" and another about who should stay from this season's team.
I will write my own "stay or go" post eventually, but that's going to have to wait until a day when I'm not busy tracking down regional golf and tennis results.
Meanwhile, for those of you interested in game-worn Bucks jerseys, bidding will begin on eBay on Monday.
At this point, the Southern Conference Finals between the Allen Americans and Odessa Jackalopes are tied 3-3 after the Jackalopes managed a 4-3 overtime win last night to keep their season alive.
The Rapid City Rush hold a 3-2 advantage in the Northern Conference Finals and could clinch a spot in the President's Cup Finals in their second season of existence with a win over the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs in Game 6 tonight.
As always, you can catch up with all the league news on the CHL website or on Our Sports Central page.
On the Bucks' front, Bryan Benway has posted an interview with Coach Ruskowski that you can listen to here.
Benway has also written a couple blogs since the end of the season, including one about the Bucks' "needs and wants" and another about who should stay from this season's team.
I will write my own "stay or go" post eventually, but that's going to have to wait until a day when I'm not busy tracking down regional golf and tennis results.
Meanwhile, for those of you interested in game-worn Bucks jerseys, bidding will begin on eBay on Monday.
Monday, April 12, 2010
A Few Links
Both conference finals matchups are now tied after the Northern Conference teams went to OT again yesterday, this time with the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs earning a 4-3 win to hand the Rapid City Rush the franchise's first playoff loss.
The Mudbugs and Rush are tied 1-1, as are the Allen Americans and Odessa Jackalopes in the Southern Conference.
Both series will resume on Wednesday.
In the meantime, you can read more about the playoffs in today's Shots from the Point.
As far as non-playoff news goes, the biggest story is the return of Chris Stewart as head coach of the Colorado Eagles, who let Kevin McClelland go after his team was swept in its first playoff round by the Mudbugs in his second season behind the bench.
Obviously, there is a lot of reaction to this move around the league, and you can check out Eagles beat writer Adam Dunivan's blog and Greg Rajan's blog for more info and their takes on the situation.
Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees Vice President of Communications Rich Bocchini also blogged about the firing/hiring, prior to its occurrence, and also mentioned a cruel little thread that popped up on the CHL Forums recently.
Speaking of those forums, it seems Brent Cullaton has left a message for Bucks fans to thank them for their support, which was also the purpose of tonight's season ticket holder party.
I wasn't able to attend the party because I was alone on desk tonight, but we did have a photographer there, and there is quite a massive photo of Evan Schwabe running on tomorrow's sports front page, haha.
That'll do it for me for now, but I will try to keep posting updates until the CHL season is over and, of course, if anything Bucks-related happens anytime soon.
The Mudbugs and Rush are tied 1-1, as are the Allen Americans and Odessa Jackalopes in the Southern Conference.
Both series will resume on Wednesday.
In the meantime, you can read more about the playoffs in today's Shots from the Point.
As far as non-playoff news goes, the biggest story is the return of Chris Stewart as head coach of the Colorado Eagles, who let Kevin McClelland go after his team was swept in its first playoff round by the Mudbugs in his second season behind the bench.
Obviously, there is a lot of reaction to this move around the league, and you can check out Eagles beat writer Adam Dunivan's blog and Greg Rajan's blog for more info and their takes on the situation.
Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees Vice President of Communications Rich Bocchini also blogged about the firing/hiring, prior to its occurrence, and also mentioned a cruel little thread that popped up on the CHL Forums recently.
Speaking of those forums, it seems Brent Cullaton has left a message for Bucks fans to thank them for their support, which was also the purpose of tonight's season ticket holder party.
I wasn't able to attend the party because I was alone on desk tonight, but we did have a photographer there, and there is quite a massive photo of Evan Schwabe running on tomorrow's sports front page, haha.
That'll do it for me for now, but I will try to keep posting updates until the CHL season is over and, of course, if anything Bucks-related happens anytime soon.
Coach Ruskowski's Thoughts
And now, here is what Coach Ruskowski had to say on Friday:
On where the Bucks fell short against the Americans: It's really tough to say because I think in the series, the home team had a huge advantage. We went up there and took a game out of there, they came here and took a game out of here early then we won the last two. I think it really was a factor that whoever had the home-ice advantage was going to win the series because two teams were very close. Yes, they outplayed us at times, but we outplayed them at times. It was a tough series. It was a chess match between coaches. They'd change systems, we'd change systems, then when we'd change, they'd come back and counter that. It was just back and forth, back and forth. It was a good series. We needed to win one of those last two games to be effective, and we couldn’t pull it out. Unfortunately, that was the case.
On the season as a whole: It was a successful year, but it was also a disappointment. The disappointing part was wanting to go longer, to go higher in the playoffs, but the thing I was really proud of the guys for the adversity that went through. In training camp, two guys that were going to be on the team, we sent home because of things they did off the ice. We had guys going to Europe, guys quitting because they wanted to stay closer to home, our goalie getting called up and staying up, all the injuries that we had... We were playing with four defenseman and eight or nine forwards, which you shouldn’t ever play with, but we did, and we won. We brought in guys who flew in one day and played that night. That's really unheard of, and we did that more than once, I guarantee you. The adversity that we had to go through, new players we had to bring in here and change, show them the system and teach them the system all over again, I'm sure the guys who were here last year, the last couple years or even the start of the season, they were probably pretty bored because I had to re-teach everything over and over and over again because of new people coming in.
On whether problems from the regular season carried over to the playoffs: I don't think in the playoffs it did. It's momentum, it's the willingness to do what you have to do to be successful. We had guys playing with injuries, there's no question, and I think that hampered some of their ability. But they (the Americans) won 16 more games than us in the regular season. They weren't in second place because they were lucky, they were there because they're very good. I thought we played well, but just not well enough to beat them in a seven-game series. We took a team that had 16 more wins than we did, and we took them seven games, and I’m proud of the guys, they should be pretty proud of that. But I'm hoping next year that we can be the team that’s ahead by 16 games and have the opportunity for home-ice advantage and start winning those ones and go on to the third or fourth round and be competitive, really competitive. Even though we were competitive this year, but more competitive next year. It's going to be a tough summer, but I'll be trying to get players in here to play. We have to change things up. We have to have speed, we have to have skill, and we have to have toughness. That's where it's going now. We have to bring young kids here who are willing to do what they have to do to be successful. There are a lot of things you can't teach - you can't teach speed, and you can't teach skill. You can teach them systems, but you can't teach size, either, so those are the things we are going to look at this summer and try to bring more speed in here, more physical presence. I like the guys hitting, and we didn't hit a whole lot. Again, we had a team that didn't hit a lot, like last year. We want to change that up, to be more physical, so that every time they come into our building, they think, 'Gosh, we have to play Laredo at home tonight. You've got to be kidding me.' That's the kind of sense of urgency that we have to have again to get back to the lead.
On taking the series seven game: Taking them seven games really showed their character. The only thing I was a little disappointed in was how we played the sixth and seventh games. We had an opportunity to, even though we didn't play as well as we should, in the sixth game, all we had to do was win one period. All we had to do was win one period, and we'd beat them, and we let it slip away. I think it affected us the seventh game.
On whether the team put its best effort into the last two games: Some players, yes; some players, no. That's what kind of bothers me, and it's going to bother me all summer. Some players really went above the level of what they had to do, and some didn't reach their potential, and it bothers me a little bit.
On what the team could have done differently during the regular season: Here's the scenario - we had all this, not turmoil, but turnovers and different things happen to us, and we ended up third on our power play and fourth on penalty killing. That's pretty darn good for a bunch of guys that were hurt, battered and whatever. That was pretty good, and I thought that was a huge key for us. Other than that, I don't know what I could have done differently, and what the players could have done differently. Defense is a priority with me, and I think in some games in the playoffs we didn't play a very good defensive game, and I think that kind of hurt us. But then you're playing against guys who are just really talented, too. I think the majority of the guys played hard, and there were a couple who didn't meet their potential.
On who impressed him this season: I look at my goaltenders, and (Kevin) Desfosses came in here and was hot and played great for us. But he kind of cooled off a little bit, and then (Pier-Olivier) Pelletier came in and played pretty well, too. I was really fortunate and blessed, and the good Lord blessed me with goalies who came in here and played really well and hot. Obviously, JP Levasseur, when he was here, he did a tremendous job for us, also. Then in the playoffs, Pelletier played great, and you look at the numbers and you look at (Todd) Griffith, he almost scored a goal a game, which is good, and some of our defense stood up and did a pretty good job. I don't want to segregate the other players from the guys that obviously did unbelievable in the playoffs, but they all participated and some did a little better than the others.
On the Americans' postseason potential: The other lines have got to participate. They have (Bruce) Graham's line that is so talented, and they work so well with each other, but it's the other lines that are going to have to come up and be accounted for. Before the last game, they scored 17 or 18 goals, that line and that defensive corps that plays with them scored 12 of their goals. We knew that, but we just couldn't seem to stop them. If they're going to go on to the finals or win, they have to have better participation from the other lines, for them to score and obviously play good defensive hockey, too.
On his pick to win it all: You're talking the four top teams point-wise that are in it. I haven't seen Shreveport play, but they have to be playing pretty well to beat Colorado four in a row. Rapid City has got a very strong team, a veteran team, a very good team. Odessa is the No. 1 team overall. Allen, obviously, is a good team. I don't know if I can predict one, I really don't. I'd like to see the first game live on both of them, then I'd have a better idea, but all four of them are capable of winning.
On whether the returning core of players will be back next season: That's why I'm having the interviews with all the players to see where their interests are. They may retire, they may want to go somewhere else; I can't predict that, I just want to make sure I get a feeling of where they're going to be and contact them in the summer time. If they're interested in coming back, and I feel that they're going to improve my team or be a solid participant on my team, we'll discuss a contract. Other than that, then we'll just part ways.
On new players who are a priority to bring back: There are some guys I'd be interested in calling back and talking to them and see if they're in a place to come back and some guys, if they've improved, if they want to come back to play. But it's interesting. I'll have a better idea of it after I talk to everyone and see where we're at.
On what he wants to bring into training camp next season: It's just like every other year, I try to get captains, assistant captains, because they're leaders on their teams. They know how to win, you know they have character. Other than that, I want speed, I want guys who have skill, good hands, who can score. And if I can get a guy who's tough who can do that, obviously I'll bring as many of those as I can. Those are the priorities. Defense that have good size, that can skate well, move the puck really well, defensively they'll be strong, but also when they get the puck, they'll make that first pass to the forwards or bring the puck up themselves. Those are priorities. Good teams that are successful, they have that.
On the team's goals for next season: Our goals are to try to get as high as we can, try to make first place and try to bring in kids that are good, try to get some older guys that will teach them and blend in with the young kids and play as a team. We can't have individuals, we have to have a team effort. It's all in who's coming in, if they want to come in here, and how they want to play.
On where the Bucks fell short against the Americans: It's really tough to say because I think in the series, the home team had a huge advantage. We went up there and took a game out of there, they came here and took a game out of here early then we won the last two. I think it really was a factor that whoever had the home-ice advantage was going to win the series because two teams were very close. Yes, they outplayed us at times, but we outplayed them at times. It was a tough series. It was a chess match between coaches. They'd change systems, we'd change systems, then when we'd change, they'd come back and counter that. It was just back and forth, back and forth. It was a good series. We needed to win one of those last two games to be effective, and we couldn’t pull it out. Unfortunately, that was the case.
On the season as a whole: It was a successful year, but it was also a disappointment. The disappointing part was wanting to go longer, to go higher in the playoffs, but the thing I was really proud of the guys for the adversity that went through. In training camp, two guys that were going to be on the team, we sent home because of things they did off the ice. We had guys going to Europe, guys quitting because they wanted to stay closer to home, our goalie getting called up and staying up, all the injuries that we had... We were playing with four defenseman and eight or nine forwards, which you shouldn’t ever play with, but we did, and we won. We brought in guys who flew in one day and played that night. That's really unheard of, and we did that more than once, I guarantee you. The adversity that we had to go through, new players we had to bring in here and change, show them the system and teach them the system all over again, I'm sure the guys who were here last year, the last couple years or even the start of the season, they were probably pretty bored because I had to re-teach everything over and over and over again because of new people coming in.
On whether problems from the regular season carried over to the playoffs: I don't think in the playoffs it did. It's momentum, it's the willingness to do what you have to do to be successful. We had guys playing with injuries, there's no question, and I think that hampered some of their ability. But they (the Americans) won 16 more games than us in the regular season. They weren't in second place because they were lucky, they were there because they're very good. I thought we played well, but just not well enough to beat them in a seven-game series. We took a team that had 16 more wins than we did, and we took them seven games, and I’m proud of the guys, they should be pretty proud of that. But I'm hoping next year that we can be the team that’s ahead by 16 games and have the opportunity for home-ice advantage and start winning those ones and go on to the third or fourth round and be competitive, really competitive. Even though we were competitive this year, but more competitive next year. It's going to be a tough summer, but I'll be trying to get players in here to play. We have to change things up. We have to have speed, we have to have skill, and we have to have toughness. That's where it's going now. We have to bring young kids here who are willing to do what they have to do to be successful. There are a lot of things you can't teach - you can't teach speed, and you can't teach skill. You can teach them systems, but you can't teach size, either, so those are the things we are going to look at this summer and try to bring more speed in here, more physical presence. I like the guys hitting, and we didn't hit a whole lot. Again, we had a team that didn't hit a lot, like last year. We want to change that up, to be more physical, so that every time they come into our building, they think, 'Gosh, we have to play Laredo at home tonight. You've got to be kidding me.' That's the kind of sense of urgency that we have to have again to get back to the lead.
On taking the series seven game: Taking them seven games really showed their character. The only thing I was a little disappointed in was how we played the sixth and seventh games. We had an opportunity to, even though we didn't play as well as we should, in the sixth game, all we had to do was win one period. All we had to do was win one period, and we'd beat them, and we let it slip away. I think it affected us the seventh game.
On whether the team put its best effort into the last two games: Some players, yes; some players, no. That's what kind of bothers me, and it's going to bother me all summer. Some players really went above the level of what they had to do, and some didn't reach their potential, and it bothers me a little bit.
On what the team could have done differently during the regular season: Here's the scenario - we had all this, not turmoil, but turnovers and different things happen to us, and we ended up third on our power play and fourth on penalty killing. That's pretty darn good for a bunch of guys that were hurt, battered and whatever. That was pretty good, and I thought that was a huge key for us. Other than that, I don't know what I could have done differently, and what the players could have done differently. Defense is a priority with me, and I think in some games in the playoffs we didn't play a very good defensive game, and I think that kind of hurt us. But then you're playing against guys who are just really talented, too. I think the majority of the guys played hard, and there were a couple who didn't meet their potential.
On who impressed him this season: I look at my goaltenders, and (Kevin) Desfosses came in here and was hot and played great for us. But he kind of cooled off a little bit, and then (Pier-Olivier) Pelletier came in and played pretty well, too. I was really fortunate and blessed, and the good Lord blessed me with goalies who came in here and played really well and hot. Obviously, JP Levasseur, when he was here, he did a tremendous job for us, also. Then in the playoffs, Pelletier played great, and you look at the numbers and you look at (Todd) Griffith, he almost scored a goal a game, which is good, and some of our defense stood up and did a pretty good job. I don't want to segregate the other players from the guys that obviously did unbelievable in the playoffs, but they all participated and some did a little better than the others.
On the Americans' postseason potential: The other lines have got to participate. They have (Bruce) Graham's line that is so talented, and they work so well with each other, but it's the other lines that are going to have to come up and be accounted for. Before the last game, they scored 17 or 18 goals, that line and that defensive corps that plays with them scored 12 of their goals. We knew that, but we just couldn't seem to stop them. If they're going to go on to the finals or win, they have to have better participation from the other lines, for them to score and obviously play good defensive hockey, too.
On his pick to win it all: You're talking the four top teams point-wise that are in it. I haven't seen Shreveport play, but they have to be playing pretty well to beat Colorado four in a row. Rapid City has got a very strong team, a veteran team, a very good team. Odessa is the No. 1 team overall. Allen, obviously, is a good team. I don't know if I can predict one, I really don't. I'd like to see the first game live on both of them, then I'd have a better idea, but all four of them are capable of winning.
On whether the returning core of players will be back next season: That's why I'm having the interviews with all the players to see where their interests are. They may retire, they may want to go somewhere else; I can't predict that, I just want to make sure I get a feeling of where they're going to be and contact them in the summer time. If they're interested in coming back, and I feel that they're going to improve my team or be a solid participant on my team, we'll discuss a contract. Other than that, then we'll just part ways.
On new players who are a priority to bring back: There are some guys I'd be interested in calling back and talking to them and see if they're in a place to come back and some guys, if they've improved, if they want to come back to play. But it's interesting. I'll have a better idea of it after I talk to everyone and see where we're at.
On what he wants to bring into training camp next season: It's just like every other year, I try to get captains, assistant captains, because they're leaders on their teams. They know how to win, you know they have character. Other than that, I want speed, I want guys who have skill, good hands, who can score. And if I can get a guy who's tough who can do that, obviously I'll bring as many of those as I can. Those are the priorities. Defense that have good size, that can skate well, move the puck really well, defensively they'll be strong, but also when they get the puck, they'll make that first pass to the forwards or bring the puck up themselves. Those are priorities. Good teams that are successful, they have that.
On the team's goals for next season: Our goals are to try to get as high as we can, try to make first place and try to bring in kids that are good, try to get some older guys that will teach them and blend in with the young kids and play as a team. We can't have individuals, we have to have a team effort. It's all in who's coming in, if they want to come in here, and how they want to play.
Final Player Quotes
I'm going to break my quotes from the Bucks' final media availability up into two posts so this isn't too overwhelming.
First off, player quotes, starting with some brief thoughts from Brent Cullaton:
On where the Bucks fell short against the Americans: They just came to play, and they were ready to play, and they're a good team. They were No. 2, and we were the No. 3 seed, and that's the way it played out.
On the Americans' postseason potential: I don't know. They're really defensively sound, but Odessa's a good team, too, so I think it's going to be a good battle to see who goes to the finals.
On how coaching helped him as a player: I just practiced really hard, because I stand behind where he (Coach Ruskowski) stands, so I know how it feels to be back there. And I just wanted to give it everything I had.
On his future plans: (I'll be coaching). One hundred percent. That's it (for playing). I don't want to train anymore.
And now, player/assistant coach Jeff Bes:
On where the Bucks fell short against the Americans: They're a very talented team, and we were right there with them. A few lucky breaks or a bounces here or there... I don't know. We could have won, but obviously we didn't, and it's unfortunate. You can go through all the clichés, go through everything and say we could've, should've, would've, but the fact of the matter is we didn't. Unfortunately.
On whether or not that end was a disappointment: Are we disappointed? Absolutely. We want to play hockey, and we want to win, and we felt that we had the opportunity to win, so obviously we're disappointed. But I also believe in each one of the guys in that room, that we went out there and each guy did the best that they could do, and certainly the effort was there. It was just a struggle that we didn't win. But the effort was definitely there. It was just that we came up a little bit short.
On the Americans' postseason potential: They're a talented team, Odessa's a talented team... I just wish them the best. Obviously, the team that beats you, you want them to go on beat everyone else and think to yourself, 'Well, at least we got beat by the champions.' But it's going to be a good series, I think a high-scoring series, and I wish both teams the best of luck, but I wish I was there and wish our team was playing instead of them.
On overcoming adversity this season: You know what, we went through a long season. We played shorthanded for most of the season with guys quitting the team, injuries... I'm proud of the guys in the room that we banded together and did what we had to do. We had the opportunity to win in Game 6, and I wish we would've, but even going to Game 7 was a testament to the pride and the character of the players that we have to battle the way they did all throughout the season and in the playoffs.
On whether he expects to play next season: Yep, I would. I still love playing the game. We'll see where the chips fall, obviously, but I still love the game and still love playing the game, and I would love to still keep playing.
On what the team can build on next season: There's always something that you want to build on and keep on, but I think the one thing that you can take away is that you want to have players who have character and have heart. We had that, and we showed that we'll do anything to compete and try to win, which we tried to do in the playoffs. You want to bring in players like that, and you also want to bring in skilled players and speed because that's where the game is going. You want to have the skill and the speed to bring in to have a quality team. You look at the teams now, Odessa and Rapid City and Allen and Bossier, and they're all fast and skilled teams that are still playing in the playoffs, so obviously that's the way the game is moving.
And finally, 2009-10 captain Adam Rivet:
On where the Bucks fell short against the Americans: They just came out hard against us, and I think that we kind of fell back on our heels and never really got things rolling in the right direction. We had flashes of it, but we just gave them too many opportunities. They're a good team, credit to them, they have some good players, and they're well-coached and stuff. They just came out, and they took it from us, unfortunately. It's disappointing, and you always wish you could have another crack at it, but that's just sometimes the way it goes.
On the Americans' postseason potential: I think right from the get-go, the beginning of this season, they were picked that they'd probably do pretty well. It's going to be a pretty big battle between them and Odessa. Odessa's a strong team, and so are they. It's hard to say right now because those are two really good teams, but I'm sure it will be a great series between those two. From there, who knows; there's two teams that are playing really well in the North, as well. I think this playoffs was up for grabs from the beginning, to be honest with you. I think anybody could have won.
On overcoming adversity this season: I think the guys have a lot of character. Through most of the season, we had a lot of injuries and played shorthanded, had guys coming in and coming out. I think the guys showed a lot of character throughout the season and same with the playoffs. Regardless of what other people thought, we believed that we could win, and we played well, we played strong, we played hard, and we took a really team to a seven-game series. In seven games, you never know what can happen. Unfortunately, it went their way, but the guys played hard and played strong all year. You just leave it out there, leave it all on the ice, and that's all you can ask for.
On whether the season as a whole was a disappointment: Absolutely. For myself, in my first year here, I was fortunate enough to win a championship, so any time we haven’t won, it’s been a disappointment. You can say it was an accomplishment to take a team seven games against a really good team like that, but in reality, to me an accomplishment is winning a championship. The guys played hard, and I don’t think anyone has any regrets on the way they played. In the end, that’s all you can ask for, but as far as accomplishments, the guys wanted to win a championship, and we came up short.
On his own play and leadership this season: I was pretty happy this year. I felt pretty comfortable. There are always ups and downs throughout the season, but for the most part I felt pretty comfortable on the ice and even in the dressing room. We had some other leaders in there, as well; even the young guys knew what they had to do and knew what it took. There are always times here and there when you have to step up and say something, and that's normal in any sport, but for the most part the guys knew how to carry themselves, as well. I was just there helping them out as much as I could. I'm very happy with the way things went this year, just unfortunately we didn't win, and that's what I was hoping for. But I have no regrets.
On whether he wants to return next season: Laredo's been like home to me, and I love playing here. If I play, this is definitely the place I want to be. Right now, obviously the season just finished, and I'm going to take a step back and reflect on things and go from there. But, like I said, I love Laredo, and I've been here for five seasons now, and it's like a home. There's definitely no other place I'd rather play than Laredo.
On what the team learned this season: I think just the experience alone. We had some younger players throughout the season, and I think the guys went through the bumps and the bruises we went through this year. I think every year it's all about experience and learning from the mistakes you made the season before and trying to correct them the following season.
First off, player quotes, starting with some brief thoughts from Brent Cullaton:
On where the Bucks fell short against the Americans: They just came to play, and they were ready to play, and they're a good team. They were No. 2, and we were the No. 3 seed, and that's the way it played out.
On the Americans' postseason potential: I don't know. They're really defensively sound, but Odessa's a good team, too, so I think it's going to be a good battle to see who goes to the finals.
On how coaching helped him as a player: I just practiced really hard, because I stand behind where he (Coach Ruskowski) stands, so I know how it feels to be back there. And I just wanted to give it everything I had.
On his future plans: (I'll be coaching). One hundred percent. That's it (for playing). I don't want to train anymore.
And now, player/assistant coach Jeff Bes:
On where the Bucks fell short against the Americans: They're a very talented team, and we were right there with them. A few lucky breaks or a bounces here or there... I don't know. We could have won, but obviously we didn't, and it's unfortunate. You can go through all the clichés, go through everything and say we could've, should've, would've, but the fact of the matter is we didn't. Unfortunately.
On whether or not that end was a disappointment: Are we disappointed? Absolutely. We want to play hockey, and we want to win, and we felt that we had the opportunity to win, so obviously we're disappointed. But I also believe in each one of the guys in that room, that we went out there and each guy did the best that they could do, and certainly the effort was there. It was just a struggle that we didn't win. But the effort was definitely there. It was just that we came up a little bit short.
On the Americans' postseason potential: They're a talented team, Odessa's a talented team... I just wish them the best. Obviously, the team that beats you, you want them to go on beat everyone else and think to yourself, 'Well, at least we got beat by the champions.' But it's going to be a good series, I think a high-scoring series, and I wish both teams the best of luck, but I wish I was there and wish our team was playing instead of them.
On overcoming adversity this season: You know what, we went through a long season. We played shorthanded for most of the season with guys quitting the team, injuries... I'm proud of the guys in the room that we banded together and did what we had to do. We had the opportunity to win in Game 6, and I wish we would've, but even going to Game 7 was a testament to the pride and the character of the players that we have to battle the way they did all throughout the season and in the playoffs.
On whether he expects to play next season: Yep, I would. I still love playing the game. We'll see where the chips fall, obviously, but I still love the game and still love playing the game, and I would love to still keep playing.
On what the team can build on next season: There's always something that you want to build on and keep on, but I think the one thing that you can take away is that you want to have players who have character and have heart. We had that, and we showed that we'll do anything to compete and try to win, which we tried to do in the playoffs. You want to bring in players like that, and you also want to bring in skilled players and speed because that's where the game is going. You want to have the skill and the speed to bring in to have a quality team. You look at the teams now, Odessa and Rapid City and Allen and Bossier, and they're all fast and skilled teams that are still playing in the playoffs, so obviously that's the way the game is moving.
And finally, 2009-10 captain Adam Rivet:
On where the Bucks fell short against the Americans: They just came out hard against us, and I think that we kind of fell back on our heels and never really got things rolling in the right direction. We had flashes of it, but we just gave them too many opportunities. They're a good team, credit to them, they have some good players, and they're well-coached and stuff. They just came out, and they took it from us, unfortunately. It's disappointing, and you always wish you could have another crack at it, but that's just sometimes the way it goes.
On the Americans' postseason potential: I think right from the get-go, the beginning of this season, they were picked that they'd probably do pretty well. It's going to be a pretty big battle between them and Odessa. Odessa's a strong team, and so are they. It's hard to say right now because those are two really good teams, but I'm sure it will be a great series between those two. From there, who knows; there's two teams that are playing really well in the North, as well. I think this playoffs was up for grabs from the beginning, to be honest with you. I think anybody could have won.
On overcoming adversity this season: I think the guys have a lot of character. Through most of the season, we had a lot of injuries and played shorthanded, had guys coming in and coming out. I think the guys showed a lot of character throughout the season and same with the playoffs. Regardless of what other people thought, we believed that we could win, and we played well, we played strong, we played hard, and we took a really team to a seven-game series. In seven games, you never know what can happen. Unfortunately, it went their way, but the guys played hard and played strong all year. You just leave it out there, leave it all on the ice, and that's all you can ask for.
On whether the season as a whole was a disappointment: Absolutely. For myself, in my first year here, I was fortunate enough to win a championship, so any time we haven’t won, it’s been a disappointment. You can say it was an accomplishment to take a team seven games against a really good team like that, but in reality, to me an accomplishment is winning a championship. The guys played hard, and I don’t think anyone has any regrets on the way they played. In the end, that’s all you can ask for, but as far as accomplishments, the guys wanted to win a championship, and we came up short.
On his own play and leadership this season: I was pretty happy this year. I felt pretty comfortable. There are always ups and downs throughout the season, but for the most part I felt pretty comfortable on the ice and even in the dressing room. We had some other leaders in there, as well; even the young guys knew what they had to do and knew what it took. There are always times here and there when you have to step up and say something, and that's normal in any sport, but for the most part the guys knew how to carry themselves, as well. I was just there helping them out as much as I could. I'm very happy with the way things went this year, just unfortunately we didn't win, and that's what I was hoping for. But I have no regrets.
On whether he wants to return next season: Laredo's been like home to me, and I love playing here. If I play, this is definitely the place I want to be. Right now, obviously the season just finished, and I'm going to take a step back and reflect on things and go from there. But, like I said, I love Laredo, and I've been here for five seasons now, and it's like a home. There's definitely no other place I'd rather play than Laredo.
On what the team learned this season: I think just the experience alone. We had some younger players throughout the season, and I think the guys went through the bumps and the bruises we went through this year. I think every year it's all about experience and learning from the mistakes you made the season before and trying to correct them the following season.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Playoff Update
Both of tonight's conference final games went into overtime, with the Odessa Jackalopes collecting a 3-2 win over the Allen Americans to tie their series and the Rapid City Rush getting a 5-4 win over the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs to jump out to a 1-0 lead.
Just out of curiosity, do those of you who are Bucks fans still follow the CHL playoffs once the Bucks are out, or do you move on to something else or start waiting for next season?
As far as the Bucks go, my "season recap" in tomorrow's paper isn't quite as in-depth as I was hoping it could be due to spacial limitations, but I did try to touch on the team's thoughts on the season as a whole, why they lost in the playoffs and some of what will be needed next season.
Obviously, there was a lot more to say, but print isn't always the place for excessive amounts of information.
I will post all of the quotes from my final interviews on here by some point Monday.
Just out of curiosity, do those of you who are Bucks fans still follow the CHL playoffs once the Bucks are out, or do you move on to something else or start waiting for next season?
As far as the Bucks go, my "season recap" in tomorrow's paper isn't quite as in-depth as I was hoping it could be due to spacial limitations, but I did try to touch on the team's thoughts on the season as a whole, why they lost in the playoffs and some of what will be needed next season.
Obviously, there was a lot more to say, but print isn't always the place for excessive amounts of information.
I will post all of the quotes from my final interviews on here by some point Monday.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Packing It Up
The Bucks held their final media availability this morning at Laredo Energy Arena as Coach Ruskowski conducted player evaluations with everyone on the team.
I talked to him, Jeff Bes, Adam Rivet and Brent Cullaton about a variety of topics, including how their season ended, their thoughts on the season as a whole and their plans for next season.
Cullaton said that he will without a doubt be a full-time coach next season, as another retirement comeback is not in his future.
Bes and Rivet, of course, both do plan to return.
Everyone was both disappointed by the season and happy with the character the team showed throughout an adventure of a campaign.
The players I spoke to all said they felt they and their teammates had left it all on the ice, but Ruskowski did not seem to agree with that statement entirely.
He did not name names, saying he did not want to segregate his players that way, but he did say that some rose to the occasion and others disappeared when they were needed most.
Today was a busy day in the office, and I was told to hold onto my stuff from this morning for a story to run in Sunday's paper, so I don't have quotes typed up yet.
I'll do a massive blog post with all of those once my story - the final one I'll be writing this season - has been printed.
The Southern Conference Finals opened up tonight, and the team that eliminated the Bucks - the Allen Americans - jumped out to a 1-0 series lead with a 4-3 win over the top-seeded Odessa Jackalopes.
Just for kicks, I asked everyone I spoke to this morning who they thought would win this series, or win it all this season, but no one gave me a finite answer.
Bes said he hopes the Americans win it all, of course so the Bucks can say they lost to the eventual champs, and Ruskowski said that the Americans will need more scoring that doesn't come from their top line.
Seems they got a bit of that tonight, but we'll see how the series plays out.
I talked to him, Jeff Bes, Adam Rivet and Brent Cullaton about a variety of topics, including how their season ended, their thoughts on the season as a whole and their plans for next season.
Cullaton said that he will without a doubt be a full-time coach next season, as another retirement comeback is not in his future.
Bes and Rivet, of course, both do plan to return.
Everyone was both disappointed by the season and happy with the character the team showed throughout an adventure of a campaign.
The players I spoke to all said they felt they and their teammates had left it all on the ice, but Ruskowski did not seem to agree with that statement entirely.
He did not name names, saying he did not want to segregate his players that way, but he did say that some rose to the occasion and others disappeared when they were needed most.
Today was a busy day in the office, and I was told to hold onto my stuff from this morning for a story to run in Sunday's paper, so I don't have quotes typed up yet.
I'll do a massive blog post with all of those once my story - the final one I'll be writing this season - has been printed.
The Southern Conference Finals opened up tonight, and the team that eliminated the Bucks - the Allen Americans - jumped out to a 1-0 series lead with a 4-3 win over the top-seeded Odessa Jackalopes.
Just for kicks, I asked everyone I spoke to this morning who they thought would win this series, or win it all this season, but no one gave me a finite answer.
Bes said he hopes the Americans win it all, of course so the Bucks can say they lost to the eventual champs, and Ruskowski said that the Americans will need more scoring that doesn't come from their top line.
Seems they got a bit of that tonight, but we'll see how the series plays out.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Semifinal Game 7 - Americans 4, Bucks 1
A rally was not in the cards for the Bucks, as they scored one goal but then allowed two more en route to a 4-1 loss to the Allen Americans in what will now stand as their final game of the 2009-10 season.
Pier-Olivier Pelletier did not appear to have his best night, allowing four goals on 34 shots, but the team needed to be doing a lot more in front of him if they wanted to win this series.
The Americans are now in the Southern Conference Finals during their first year of existence and will face the top-seeded Odessa Jackalopes in a series set to begin Friday night.
Todd Griffith had the Bucks' only goal tonight to finish the postseason with a team-leading six tallies and nine points.
The Bucks' other leading point getter in the series was Sylvain Deschatelets, who had one goal and seven assists for eight points.
You can see complete individual stats for the playoffs here.
I think it's safe to say that the Bucks did a lot more than everyone expected of them by taking this series to a Game 7, but I'm sure that's not of much comfort to them as they make the long bus ride home.
Considering the time they'll arrive back in Laredo, I doubt the Bucks will be available to the media tomorrow, but I'll be sure to follow up on the end of this series, and the season as a whole, soon.
You can read more about tonight's game in Bryan Benway's press release.
Pier-Olivier Pelletier did not appear to have his best night, allowing four goals on 34 shots, but the team needed to be doing a lot more in front of him if they wanted to win this series.
The Americans are now in the Southern Conference Finals during their first year of existence and will face the top-seeded Odessa Jackalopes in a series set to begin Friday night.
Todd Griffith had the Bucks' only goal tonight to finish the postseason with a team-leading six tallies and nine points.
The Bucks' other leading point getter in the series was Sylvain Deschatelets, who had one goal and seven assists for eight points.
You can see complete individual stats for the playoffs here.
I think it's safe to say that the Bucks did a lot more than everyone expected of them by taking this series to a Game 7, but I'm sure that's not of much comfort to them as they make the long bus ride home.
Considering the time they'll arrive back in Laredo, I doubt the Bucks will be available to the media tomorrow, but I'll be sure to follow up on the end of this series, and the season as a whole, soon.
You can read more about tonight's game in Bryan Benway's press release.
Semifinal Game 7 - Second Intermission
The Bucks are one period away from elimination, as they trail the Allen Americans 2-0 in the second intermission of Game 7 of their Southern Conference Semifinal series.
If the score remains the same, the Bucks will miss the Southern Conference Finals for only the third time in franchise history, and the second time in a row.
We can all take our guesses as to what is going on in the Bucks' dressing room right now, but all of you who are fans of the team better hope some leaders who did not step up every time they were needed during the regular season are doing so now.
The Bucks will need to score at least two goals in the third period if they want their season to last any longer than 20 more minutes of clock time, and they will need to provide some support for goaltender Pier-Olivier Pelletier, who has faced twice as many shots as Chris Whitley has at the other end of the ice.
Taking penalties has not been something the Bucks have avoided tonight, as they've already been called for six minors, and an elbowing penalty on captain Adam Rivet is what put the Americans on the power play during which Tobias Whelan scored the team's second goal.
Nino Musitelli had the first, at even-strength, with 3:19 to play in the first period.
The Americans only outshot the Bucks 7-6 in the first period but held a 15-5 advantage in that category during the second, so I think it's fair to say if the Bucks can't bridge the shot gap in the third, they'll be coming home to Laredo tonight.
If the score remains the same, the Bucks will miss the Southern Conference Finals for only the third time in franchise history, and the second time in a row.
We can all take our guesses as to what is going on in the Bucks' dressing room right now, but all of you who are fans of the team better hope some leaders who did not step up every time they were needed during the regular season are doing so now.
The Bucks will need to score at least two goals in the third period if they want their season to last any longer than 20 more minutes of clock time, and they will need to provide some support for goaltender Pier-Olivier Pelletier, who has faced twice as many shots as Chris Whitley has at the other end of the ice.
Taking penalties has not been something the Bucks have avoided tonight, as they've already been called for six minors, and an elbowing penalty on captain Adam Rivet is what put the Americans on the power play during which Tobias Whelan scored the team's second goal.
Nino Musitelli had the first, at even-strength, with 3:19 to play in the first period.
The Americans only outshot the Bucks 7-6 in the first period but held a 15-5 advantage in that category during the second, so I think it's fair to say if the Bucks can't bridge the shot gap in the third, they'll be coming home to Laredo tonight.
Semifinal Game Day No. 7
The Bucks will face off against the Allen Americans with their season on the line in Game 7 of the teams' Southern Conference Semifinal series in about 10 minutes.
Whoever wins tonight's game will drive over to Odessa to take on the top-seeded Jackalopes in the Southern Conference Finals, and whoever loses will be done until training camp.
The Americans won last night to tie the series up 3-3 when they were on the brink of elimination, now it's time to see which team comes out on top when they are both in the same situation.
You can read more about tonight's game in Bryan Benway's preview, Benway's blog and the Pointstreak pre-game notes.
I'm sure some of you are at the watch party at Hal's, but everyone else can watch the game on CHL-TV, listen on Imagen 94.1 FM or follow on Pointstreak.
I will be posting during the game, but I don't know how often I'll be able to update.
Whoever wins tonight's game will drive over to Odessa to take on the top-seeded Jackalopes in the Southern Conference Finals, and whoever loses will be done until training camp.
The Americans won last night to tie the series up 3-3 when they were on the brink of elimination, now it's time to see which team comes out on top when they are both in the same situation.
You can read more about tonight's game in Bryan Benway's preview, Benway's blog and the Pointstreak pre-game notes.
I'm sure some of you are at the watch party at Hal's, but everyone else can watch the game on CHL-TV, listen on Imagen 94.1 FM or follow on Pointstreak.
I will be posting during the game, but I don't know how often I'll be able to update.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Semifinal Game 6 - Americans 3, Bucks 2
The Bucks could not capitalize on their first chance to clinch a spot in the Southern Conference Finals, as they suffered a 3-2 loss to the Allen Americans in Game 6 of their conference semifinal series tonight.
The series will be decided in Game 7 tomorrow night.
After a scoreless first tonight, the Americans took a 1-0 lead only to have Todd Griffith tie the game with his team-leading fifth playoff goal, but then Matt Radoslovich and Bruce Graham scored in succession in the third to put the Americans up 3-1.
Darryl Smith scored a power-play goal for the Bucks later in the period, but even another power play and an empty net behind them was not enough to let them tie up the game in its final minute.
Pier-Olivier Pelletier made 40 saves on 43 shots but still suffered the loss, while Chris Whitley made 22 on 24 for the win.
Unless Pelletier is completely exhausted, I assume we can expect to see him and his .915 save percentage getting a seventh straight start in Game 7 tomorrow.
The Bucks have referred to several games in this series as the "most important" or "biggest" game of the season, but obviously that title now goes to tomorrow night's game.
With their season on the line, what do you expect to see from the Bucks tomorrow night?
The series will be decided in Game 7 tomorrow night.
After a scoreless first tonight, the Americans took a 1-0 lead only to have Todd Griffith tie the game with his team-leading fifth playoff goal, but then Matt Radoslovich and Bruce Graham scored in succession in the third to put the Americans up 3-1.
Darryl Smith scored a power-play goal for the Bucks later in the period, but even another power play and an empty net behind them was not enough to let them tie up the game in its final minute.
Pier-Olivier Pelletier made 40 saves on 43 shots but still suffered the loss, while Chris Whitley made 22 on 24 for the win.
Unless Pelletier is completely exhausted, I assume we can expect to see him and his .915 save percentage getting a seventh straight start in Game 7 tomorrow.
The Bucks have referred to several games in this series as the "most important" or "biggest" game of the season, but obviously that title now goes to tomorrow night's game.
With their season on the line, what do you expect to see from the Bucks tomorrow night?
Semifinal Game Day No. 6
The Bucks and Allen Americans will square off in Game 6 of their Southern Conference Semifinal series at the Allen Events Center in a couple of hours.
With a 3-2 lead in their possession, the Bucks could clinch the series, and a return to the Southern Conference Finals, with a win tonight.
Of course, they know that won't come easy, and I think everyone involved with the Bucks organization is expecting to see a much stronger Americans team tonight than the one the Bucks captured a 5-1 win over in Game 5.
The Bucks arrived in Allen early last night after practicing in Laredo early yesterday morning, and they hope to be both well-rested and well-prepared for tonight's matchup.
Defenseman Paul Elliott, the only player with an injury of any real concern for the Bucks, will be in the lineup, leaving the Bucks to make a scratch for the fourth straight game.
Matt Radoslovich will be back in the lineup for the Americans, or at least he's available to be, after serving his one-game suspension for his hit on Elliott in Game 4.
You can read more about tonight in my previous blog post, my notebook from today's paper, Bryan Benway's preview and the Pointstreak pre-game notes.
The best way for those of you in Laredo to take in tonight's game would probably be to head over to Hal's Landing for the watch party.
If you can't or don't want to do that, you can watch on CHL-TV in the comfort of your own home, listen on Imagen 94.1 FM or follow it on Pointstreak.
I will try my best to update on here during the game, but I'm alone on desk with a full slate of high school baseball and softball games to be called in, so I make no promises.
With a 3-2 lead in their possession, the Bucks could clinch the series, and a return to the Southern Conference Finals, with a win tonight.
Of course, they know that won't come easy, and I think everyone involved with the Bucks organization is expecting to see a much stronger Americans team tonight than the one the Bucks captured a 5-1 win over in Game 5.
The Bucks arrived in Allen early last night after practicing in Laredo early yesterday morning, and they hope to be both well-rested and well-prepared for tonight's matchup.
Defenseman Paul Elliott, the only player with an injury of any real concern for the Bucks, will be in the lineup, leaving the Bucks to make a scratch for the fourth straight game.
Matt Radoslovich will be back in the lineup for the Americans, or at least he's available to be, after serving his one-game suspension for his hit on Elliott in Game 4.
You can read more about tonight in my previous blog post, my notebook from today's paper, Bryan Benway's preview and the Pointstreak pre-game notes.
The best way for those of you in Laredo to take in tonight's game would probably be to head over to Hal's Landing for the watch party.
If you can't or don't want to do that, you can watch on CHL-TV in the comfort of your own home, listen on Imagen 94.1 FM or follow it on Pointstreak.
I will try my best to update on here during the game, but I'm alone on desk with a full slate of high school baseball and softball games to be called in, so I make no promises.
Notes and Quotes
Sorry I didn't have time to blog yesterday, but I did make it out to the Bucks' early practice before they left for Allen.
There was a new player in the arena - one who was apparently at the games last week - but he will not be signed.
Derek Scanlon, a forward for Brent Cullaton's Buffalo Jr. Bison, made the trip to Laredo with his coach so Coach Ruskowski could see him play and decide if he'd like to make him part of the team.
With the current roster situation not leaving any openings for new players to actually play, Ruskowski has decided not to sign the kid, but it should be clear that he is not the defenseman Ruskowski had been scouting.
There is no official word as to whether or not that defenseman will be signed, but Ruskowski said it would only be a priority if Paul Elliott was too injured to play, and that is not the case.
Elliott did not suit up for yesterday's practice, but he was in attendance and did go out on the ice when the team huddled up to watch Ruskowski draw out plays.
Ruskowski said there is no doubt Elliott will play tonight; yesterday was just an extra day of rest for him because he has been taking a lot of hard hits in the series.
Back to Scanlon, though, you can read more about him and his trip to Laredo on the Boulder Jr. Bison Web site.
Scanlon's coach, Cullaton, seems to think things are going pretty well since he came back to Laredo, and I doubt many would argue with that.
"I think he’s done a very good job," Ruskowski said. "He makes positive plays in our end, their end and in neutral ice; he helps on the power play; he’s smart with the puck – he’ll shoot it, he’ll pass it, and it keeps the other team not knowing what to do. That split-second is a factor in making a good pass or a good shot on net or them interfering or intercepting that pass.
"He’s been a big factor, not just on the ice but also in the dressing room."
Cullaton is a talkative guy in conversation but the farthest thing from that in interviews, so I'm not going to post his quotes the way I normally do things like that on here.
You can read some of what he had to say, along with some quotes from Ruskowski and goaltender Pier-Olivier Pelletier, in my notebook in today's paper.
Cullaton said that when he re-joined the Bucks, he wanted to "come in and contribute and be a part of a team that can win."
The team has won two of the three games its played since he came back, so that goal seems to have been met, and Cullaton's three goals and one assist in those two wins certainly didn't hurt.
He thinks things are going "pretty well," and he says he's "feeling better each day that (he) skate(s)," so he wants to "just keep going."
Cullaton said the key to the Bucks' offensive success in their wins - including his first playoff goal since April 26, 2006 - has been "shooting the puck, driving the net for rebounds; just keeping it simple."
On a slightly random note, Cullaton said that gold stick he's been using in games has no story behind it; it's just another stick. He was not using it at practice yesterday, though, so I'm not sure if he broke it or was just saving it up for the next game.
He also said that in his mind, tonight's game is "the most important game of the year" because it would be "huge" to win the series before ever giving the Americans a chance to clinch it.
Obviously there's no way around that fact, as winning tonight is the best course of action for the Bucks if they want to get back to the Southern Conference Finals after missing out for the first time in seven seasons last year.
Since even before Game 5, Ruskowski has been very focused on the fact that the Bucks having two chances to win the series puts all the pressure on the Americans.
However, that doesn't mean he wants to waste the first chance his team has.
"All I can say is it’s a lot better for us going into their building with it being 3-2 for us than 3-2 against us," Ruskowski said. "It puts a lot of pressure on them because now it’s two games they must win, and for us it’s must win one. But it is a must-win, and nothing is going to be easy. They have a very good hockey team, and we’re very lucky and fortunate to be where we are. I thank God for it, because I think he's been on our side.
"I’d rather have it (tonight) instead of Wednesday if it’s going to happen at all. It would be huge. Momentum is a huge factor in any sport and any situation. Momentum, momentum, momentum. And if you have momentum on your side, it’s a huge factor.We have to keep it on our side, get to them as quickly as possible and score a couple goals and put them on their heels instead of their toes."
Pelletier had similar thoughts.
"We’re pretty happy about (where we are)," he said. "We knew we had to take one over there first, and then our plan was to win all three here, but we let one slip. But with the lead, we have to go in and take one of the two over there, and I think it will be really hard because they’re tough to beat at their home, but I think we can do it.
"The quicker we can win it, the better it will be for resting. In Game 7, you never know what’s going to happen, so we sure want to win that sixth game. But they’re going to be coming out flying, so we have to match their intensity and see what’s going on.
"We have to play the same way, just keep playing hard and leave everything on the ice."
Pelletier and the other players seem pretty pleased with their effort in the 5-1 win over the Americans in Game 5 on Saturday, but Coach Ruskowski said he thought there was a drop-off in their play toward the end of the game.
"The first part of the game, the first half or three-quarters, I thought was pretty good," he said. "We were moving the puck, we were getting timely goals. But we have to play a little bit better defensively. They're a really strong team, and if you don't play really good defense against them, they'll get numerous opportunities. They out-shot us pretty bad, mind you, but it came more or less in the second half where they were just throwing everything at us.
"We just have to be a patient hockey team, and if they throw a lot of things at us, we have to be patient and strong on our position and hopefully catch them in a 2-on-1 advantage."
With that in mind, defense was the main focus when the team watched tape and practiced yesterday. But that isn't the only thing Ruskowski thinks could be better.
"There are a couple things we needed to improve," he said. "We need to improve in the neutral ice area, we need to improve our breakouts and our penalty killing a little bit. We went over that, just to make sure everybody's on the same page and we're doing the right things at the right times."
Even when they haven't been doing things right, the Bucks have been able to count on Pelletier to bail them out more often that not, and Ruskowski thinks that his rookie netminder will need to keep playing just as well if the Bucks are going to win this series.
"He’s the guy that we’ve been counting on,” Ruskowski said. "I’ve said that every time you look at a team that’s successful in the playoffs, the first thing you look at is the goaltending, and he’s been pretty good for us and hopefully he can keep it.
"We need him to play brilliant for us to beat this team because they are a very good hockey team."
Pelletier, of course, doesn't take all the credit for his success, saying that his teammates have been doing a great job in front of him, even on nights that he faces 42 shots.
"They’ve been playing great," he said. "Even if I get a lot of shots, there’s a lot from the outside, not dangerous shots. The d-men always block them; even forwards step in and block the shots lie down, it’s really playoff hockey. The shot count doesn’t really indicate the score. It was 5-1; we scored five goals, but they were on really dangerous shots. We took advantage of our scoring chances."
As far as his own objectives, Pelletier says he just tries to compliment the game his defensemen are playing.
"I try to stop every single shot," he said. "My defensemen check a lot, they hit pretty hard, too, so I try to stop the puck and make plays so we step in front of their forecheckers and we don’t get hit as much as they do."
Obviously stopping every single shot is a very lofty goal, and one Pelletier has not been fortunate enough to achieve in his professional career. However, if he keeps the Americans to one, he can hope that the Bucks can get a couple to give themselves the win, and the best way Ruskowski thinks they can do that is on the power play.
"I'd like to have a lot of power-play goals," he said. "It's going to be a huge factor, that and penalty killing, because we've done a good job killing penalties, but we have to do a better job because they're going to change things around. They move the puck around really well, so we have to make sure we're taking the passing lanes away and try to take away time and space from them and make sure the front of the net is taken care of."
It's worth noting that the Bucks did not have a single power-play goal in the first three games of the series, then went 4-for-11 on the advantage between their Game 4 and Game 5 wins.
They have killed 88 percent (22-of-25) power plays they've faced.
Moving right along, whoever wins this series will be facing the Governors' Cup champion Odessa Jackalopes as they completed their series comeback by rallying to a 5-4 overtime win over the defending President's Cup champion Texas Brahmas last night.
Lee Scheide from the Odessa American has the story from that game, complete with a celebration photo.
The story includes some information that could affect the Bucks:
Obviously, this isn't something the Bucks want to focus on before they've actually clinched a spot in the Southern Conference Finals, but it is a scheduling concern for them, and for us at the paper, if things work out that way.
It also begs the question as to whether or not the Bucks will stay in North Texas after facing the Americans so they don't have to drive back to Laredo then up to Odessa for the weekend if they have a series starting against the Jackalopes on Friday.
I doubt anything about that scheduling past Game 2 will be revealed until after this series has ended, but I'll keep you posted if I get any information.
For more information about each conference semifinal series and the conference finals to come, you can check out today's CHL Shots from the Point.
There was a new player in the arena - one who was apparently at the games last week - but he will not be signed.
Derek Scanlon, a forward for Brent Cullaton's Buffalo Jr. Bison, made the trip to Laredo with his coach so Coach Ruskowski could see him play and decide if he'd like to make him part of the team.
With the current roster situation not leaving any openings for new players to actually play, Ruskowski has decided not to sign the kid, but it should be clear that he is not the defenseman Ruskowski had been scouting.
There is no official word as to whether or not that defenseman will be signed, but Ruskowski said it would only be a priority if Paul Elliott was too injured to play, and that is not the case.
Elliott did not suit up for yesterday's practice, but he was in attendance and did go out on the ice when the team huddled up to watch Ruskowski draw out plays.
Ruskowski said there is no doubt Elliott will play tonight; yesterday was just an extra day of rest for him because he has been taking a lot of hard hits in the series.
Back to Scanlon, though, you can read more about him and his trip to Laredo on the Boulder Jr. Bison Web site.
Scanlon's coach, Cullaton, seems to think things are going pretty well since he came back to Laredo, and I doubt many would argue with that.
"I think he’s done a very good job," Ruskowski said. "He makes positive plays in our end, their end and in neutral ice; he helps on the power play; he’s smart with the puck – he’ll shoot it, he’ll pass it, and it keeps the other team not knowing what to do. That split-second is a factor in making a good pass or a good shot on net or them interfering or intercepting that pass.
"He’s been a big factor, not just on the ice but also in the dressing room."
Cullaton is a talkative guy in conversation but the farthest thing from that in interviews, so I'm not going to post his quotes the way I normally do things like that on here.
You can read some of what he had to say, along with some quotes from Ruskowski and goaltender Pier-Olivier Pelletier, in my notebook in today's paper.
Cullaton said that when he re-joined the Bucks, he wanted to "come in and contribute and be a part of a team that can win."
The team has won two of the three games its played since he came back, so that goal seems to have been met, and Cullaton's three goals and one assist in those two wins certainly didn't hurt.
He thinks things are going "pretty well," and he says he's "feeling better each day that (he) skate(s)," so he wants to "just keep going."
Cullaton said the key to the Bucks' offensive success in their wins - including his first playoff goal since April 26, 2006 - has been "shooting the puck, driving the net for rebounds; just keeping it simple."
On a slightly random note, Cullaton said that gold stick he's been using in games has no story behind it; it's just another stick. He was not using it at practice yesterday, though, so I'm not sure if he broke it or was just saving it up for the next game.
He also said that in his mind, tonight's game is "the most important game of the year" because it would be "huge" to win the series before ever giving the Americans a chance to clinch it.
Obviously there's no way around that fact, as winning tonight is the best course of action for the Bucks if they want to get back to the Southern Conference Finals after missing out for the first time in seven seasons last year.
Since even before Game 5, Ruskowski has been very focused on the fact that the Bucks having two chances to win the series puts all the pressure on the Americans.
However, that doesn't mean he wants to waste the first chance his team has.
"All I can say is it’s a lot better for us going into their building with it being 3-2 for us than 3-2 against us," Ruskowski said. "It puts a lot of pressure on them because now it’s two games they must win, and for us it’s must win one. But it is a must-win, and nothing is going to be easy. They have a very good hockey team, and we’re very lucky and fortunate to be where we are. I thank God for it, because I think he's been on our side.
"I’d rather have it (tonight) instead of Wednesday if it’s going to happen at all. It would be huge. Momentum is a huge factor in any sport and any situation. Momentum, momentum, momentum. And if you have momentum on your side, it’s a huge factor.We have to keep it on our side, get to them as quickly as possible and score a couple goals and put them on their heels instead of their toes."
Pelletier had similar thoughts.
"We’re pretty happy about (where we are)," he said. "We knew we had to take one over there first, and then our plan was to win all three here, but we let one slip. But with the lead, we have to go in and take one of the two over there, and I think it will be really hard because they’re tough to beat at their home, but I think we can do it.
"The quicker we can win it, the better it will be for resting. In Game 7, you never know what’s going to happen, so we sure want to win that sixth game. But they’re going to be coming out flying, so we have to match their intensity and see what’s going on.
"We have to play the same way, just keep playing hard and leave everything on the ice."
Pelletier and the other players seem pretty pleased with their effort in the 5-1 win over the Americans in Game 5 on Saturday, but Coach Ruskowski said he thought there was a drop-off in their play toward the end of the game.
"The first part of the game, the first half or three-quarters, I thought was pretty good," he said. "We were moving the puck, we were getting timely goals. But we have to play a little bit better defensively. They're a really strong team, and if you don't play really good defense against them, they'll get numerous opportunities. They out-shot us pretty bad, mind you, but it came more or less in the second half where they were just throwing everything at us.
"We just have to be a patient hockey team, and if they throw a lot of things at us, we have to be patient and strong on our position and hopefully catch them in a 2-on-1 advantage."
With that in mind, defense was the main focus when the team watched tape and practiced yesterday. But that isn't the only thing Ruskowski thinks could be better.
"There are a couple things we needed to improve," he said. "We need to improve in the neutral ice area, we need to improve our breakouts and our penalty killing a little bit. We went over that, just to make sure everybody's on the same page and we're doing the right things at the right times."
Even when they haven't been doing things right, the Bucks have been able to count on Pelletier to bail them out more often that not, and Ruskowski thinks that his rookie netminder will need to keep playing just as well if the Bucks are going to win this series.
"He’s the guy that we’ve been counting on,” Ruskowski said. "I’ve said that every time you look at a team that’s successful in the playoffs, the first thing you look at is the goaltending, and he’s been pretty good for us and hopefully he can keep it.
"We need him to play brilliant for us to beat this team because they are a very good hockey team."
Pelletier, of course, doesn't take all the credit for his success, saying that his teammates have been doing a great job in front of him, even on nights that he faces 42 shots.
"They’ve been playing great," he said. "Even if I get a lot of shots, there’s a lot from the outside, not dangerous shots. The d-men always block them; even forwards step in and block the shots lie down, it’s really playoff hockey. The shot count doesn’t really indicate the score. It was 5-1; we scored five goals, but they were on really dangerous shots. We took advantage of our scoring chances."
As far as his own objectives, Pelletier says he just tries to compliment the game his defensemen are playing.
"I try to stop every single shot," he said. "My defensemen check a lot, they hit pretty hard, too, so I try to stop the puck and make plays so we step in front of their forecheckers and we don’t get hit as much as they do."
Obviously stopping every single shot is a very lofty goal, and one Pelletier has not been fortunate enough to achieve in his professional career. However, if he keeps the Americans to one, he can hope that the Bucks can get a couple to give themselves the win, and the best way Ruskowski thinks they can do that is on the power play.
"I'd like to have a lot of power-play goals," he said. "It's going to be a huge factor, that and penalty killing, because we've done a good job killing penalties, but we have to do a better job because they're going to change things around. They move the puck around really well, so we have to make sure we're taking the passing lanes away and try to take away time and space from them and make sure the front of the net is taken care of."
It's worth noting that the Bucks did not have a single power-play goal in the first three games of the series, then went 4-for-11 on the advantage between their Game 4 and Game 5 wins.
They have killed 88 percent (22-of-25) power plays they've faced.
Moving right along, whoever wins this series will be facing the Governors' Cup champion Odessa Jackalopes as they completed their series comeback by rallying to a 5-4 overtime win over the defending President's Cup champion Texas Brahmas last night.
Lee Scheide from the Odessa American has the story from that game, complete with a celebration photo.
The story includes some information that could affect the Bucks:
The Jackalopes now await the winner of the Laredo-Allen semifinal series. Laredo holds a 3-2 advantage heading into tonight’s Game 6 in Allen.
Either way, Odessa will open the Southern Conference Finals at 7:05 p.m. Friday at the Ector County Coliseum. Game 2 is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Saturday.
If the Bucks do beat the Americans, tonight or tomorrow, the matchup with the Jackalopes will create quite a few scheduling conflicts at Laredo Energy Arena, which will be using its ice for Disney on Ice events next Thursday through Sunday and may also be hosting some other events earlier in the week.Obviously, this isn't something the Bucks want to focus on before they've actually clinched a spot in the Southern Conference Finals, but it is a scheduling concern for them, and for us at the paper, if things work out that way.
It also begs the question as to whether or not the Bucks will stay in North Texas after facing the Americans so they don't have to drive back to Laredo then up to Odessa for the weekend if they have a series starting against the Jackalopes on Friday.
I doubt anything about that scheduling past Game 2 will be revealed until after this series has ended, but I'll keep you posted if I get any information.
For more information about each conference semifinal series and the conference finals to come, you can check out today's CHL Shots from the Point.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Semifinal Game 5
Starters: Bucks - Igor Agarunov (F), Curtis Billsten (F), Eric Giosa (F), Benjamin Dieude-Fauvel (D), Ryan Lehr (D), Pier-Olivier Pelletier (G); Americans - Erik Adams (D), Jordie Benn (D), Christian Gaudet (F), Liam Huculak (F), Nathan O'Nabigan (F), Chris Whitley (G).
First Period: Defenseman Paul Elliott is in the lineup for the Bucks, and forward Robin Richards is the team's scratch for the third straight game. ... The start of the game is being delayed, but I'm not exactly sure why. ... Other players have joined the starters on the ice to skate around and stay loose. I'm still a bit perplexed as to why this is happening. ... Here we go. ... These three Americans fans and their drum are undoubtedly louder than all the Bucks fans in the arena combined right now. ... Evan Schwabe has been setting up Todd Griffith throughout his current hot streak, and this time, Griffith returned the favor. Schwabe gained the zone, neatly skated a circle around an Americans defender, passed the puck to Griffith then drove to the goal to knock Griffith's pass into the net. That hit the wrong part of Schwabe's stick, and he's actually kind of lucky he got enough of it to send it as far as he did; actually, maybe that's why he was able to beat Whitley in the first place. But whatever the case, the Bucks lead 1-0 just 1:16 into the game. ... That was Schwabe's first goal and fifth point of these playoffs. ... The Americans got their first shot off at 2:40, and Pelletier gloved it away. ... Whitley just came out of his net to try to clear the puck and barely missed hitting teammate Tyler Wooddisse in the face. ... Matt Radoslovich just walked up to take a seat by the drumming fans, reminding me that he has been suspended for tonight's game because of his hit on Elliott Thursday night. ... Decent chance for the Bucks with the top line on the ice, as Jeff Bes passed to Adam Rivet, who tried to pass back but lost the puck, only to have it end up on the stick of Jarred Mohr. Whitley made the save on Mohr's shot. ... Elliott and Colton Yellow Horn just got tangled up and went into the boards together, and Elliott came away without his helmet, which is still in the corner to Pelletier's left. ... Horrible turnover in the Bucks' zone could have been trouble, but Pelletier moved up to cover the puck and stop play. ... Whitley's net was just overturned right on top of him. ... Darryl Smith's backhand attempt off a pass from Brent Cullaton went wide on another decent chance for the top line. ... The Americans get the game's first power play at 9:06 with Brent Cullaton headed to the box for slashing. ... Smith just tried to get right around Fairbarn on a shorthanded chance, but Fairbarn stood his ground and got the puck away. ... Griffith and Mike Salekin just went flying into Pelletier together, and Pelletier did not seem all too thrilled about it. ... Adams to the box for hooking at 13:04 to give the Bucks their first power play. ... Smith and Cullaton both missed the net - high and wide, respectively - on the first shift of the advantage. ... Well, someone just scored, but my view was being screened just as much as Whitley's was, so you'll have to give me a minute to figure out who. ... Okay, it was Smith. Sylvain Deschatelets and Neil Trimm get the assists, and of course, the first goal I couldn't see myself (at home) this series is the first one for which they are not showing a replay. Several players were right around the crease, including Smith, and I guess he jammed home a rebound. Bucks lead 2-0 at 13:50 in the period. That was a power play goal. ... Deschatelets, Griffith and Mike Looby just broke into the zone on a decent chance, and Deschatelets connected with Griffith, who then passed back and had his pass nearly bounce off Looby's stick into the net. Just missed, though. ... Justin Bowers just missed the net wide on one of the Americans' best chances of the game so far. ... End of the first period, Bucks lead 2-0, shots tied 10-10. As the teams skate off the ice, the Bucks fans are finally louder than the Americans fans in front of the press box. ... They have changed the second goal to Deschatelets from Smith and Looby.
Second Period: I do not know how Pelletier dove in front of a shot headed straight for the net when he had been pulled out of it, but he did. His best save of the night, no doubt, and a big one to keep the Americans from scoring early in the period. ... Deschatelets and Griffith just broke into the offensive zone together, and Griffith faked a pass to Deschatelets, then took the shot himself. Whitley stopped the shot, then had some trouble covering the puck, but eventually did. ... Benn to the box at 2:03 to give the Bucks the first power play of the period. ... The Americans just committed way too heavily to a shorthanded chance, turned the puck over and gave the Bucks a 4-on-2 the other way. Bes was carrying the puck and appeared to be passing to Smith, but the puck missed him and ended up right on Cullaton's stick. He wound up and fired a shot top shelf for his second goal in as many games. Deschatelets got the puck after the initial turnover and passed up to Bes, so he'll get the second assist. Bucks lead 3-0 at 3:06 on their second power play goal of the contest. ... Wow. The Americans just pulled Whitley, and the Bucks will now see David McKee for the first time in this series. ... The Bucks scored those three goals on 14 shots, by the way. The Americans have gotten 13 on net. ... The last, and first, time the Bucks faced McKee was in their 6-1 win over the Americans on March 4. He just made his first save of the game, and a pretty big one at that. ... Someone just skated into Pelletier and left their stick caught up in his equipment. He seemed a bit confused as to what he should do with it but dropped it eventually. ... Griffith heading to the box to serve a too many men bench minor penalty committed on the ensuing rush. Americans on the power play at 6:23. Just a bad change for the Bucks. ... Penalty killed. The Bucks had better chances on that than the Americans did. ... Looby just dropped to the ice to block a shot by Yellow Horn on a 2-on-1, and Pelletier gave him a pat on the back for his efforts. ... The refs just whistled a puck dead when Pelletier did not really have it under control on a lucky break for the Bucks who were struggling to settle that one down. ... McKee just made a big save that sent Schwabe flying and kept the Bucks from getting No. 4 on the board. ... Smith just chose to pass to Bes on a 2-on-1 where it seems shooting might have been the better idea, then he was leveled into the boards by Wooddisse. The two players battled a bit along the wall, and Wooddisse's stick caught Smith in the face before Smith's did the same to Wooddisse. Wooddisse put a hand to his face and tried to get a call from that, but the refs ignored it all. ... Americans have jumped out to a 24-20 lead on shots with a recent surge around the Bucks' net, but they're still down 3-0 where it counts. ... Looby just followed up his first goal at home this postseason with an Alexander Ovechkin-esque celebration. I won't comment on how I feel about that. Nice goal, though; just a sharp wrist shot that beat McKee high glove side. Cullaton has what is currently the lone assist, and the Bucks lead 4-0 at 15:57 in the period. ... Rivet going to the box at 16:12 to serve a slashing penalty for his work on Bruce Graham, who then got an earful from Pelletier, who seems to believe Graham interfered with him on the play. ... Graham has added insult to injury - for Pelletier, anyway - by breaking the shutout at 16:59 in the second period. Bucks now lead 4-1. ... Pelletier just leaped into the air to grab a puck that deflected high after a shot by the Americans. ... Things getting a bit feistier now with less than a minute to go in the period. We'll see if that carries over to the third. ... Mohr is the only one being sent to the box for a scrum behind Pelletier's net, and he will serve two for roughing, only 13 seconds of which will take place during this period. ... End of the period, Bucks lead 4-1, Americans up 30-22 on shots. ... The Odessa Jackalopes and Texas Brahmas are in a scoreless tie entering the third period. ... And now the Jackalopes lead 1-0 on a goal by Sebastien Thinel at 5:32 in the third.
Third Period: Americans on the power play. ... Penalty killed. ... Graham looks so tall next to all the Bucks out there, and he is going to the box at 2:29 for hooking Schwabe to put the Bucks on a power play of their own. ... Penalty killed. ... The Americans are taking a lot of shots, but they've only gotten one on net so far this period. ... Jacks up 2-0 now. ... The Bucks just got a 3-on-1 and somehow managed to mess that up. Shots 34-24 right now. ... Elliott just lost his stick, got into a verbal altercation, then realized the play was coming back his way and sprawled out and grabbed Tobias Whelan's leg to try to defend him. That was odd. ... Halfway through the final period. ... Cullaton just got his second of the night on a flukey play I'm sure McKee would love to have back. That was a pretty simple, not very hard shot from the top of the circle that just got around McKee and into the net. Bucks lead 5-1 at 10:55 in the period, meaning there are 9:05 to play in regulation. ... That goal is unassisted, while Fairbarn and Justin Bowers got assists on Graham's last period. Oh, and Deschatelets got the secondary on Schwabe's goal in the first. ... Americans nearing 40 shots, but Pelletier isn't cracking. ... The Jackalopes beat the Brahmas 2-1 to take a 3-2 lead in their series. ... Just FYI, it is already past the deadline for me to go downstairs, so I will not be able to get quotes tonight, which really stinks. I am told there will be a practice on Monday, so hopefully I'll be able to get some thoughts on tonight's performance then. ... Pretty sure Bowers just took himself out into the wall and then skated over to the Bucks bench and slapped the helmet right off of Mohr. Well, I'm definitely sure about the second part. Guess he's not fond of the current score. He'll serve two for unsportsmanlike conduct with 2:46 left on the clock, giving the Bucks a late power play chance. ... Cullaton just ripped one from between the circles to try for the hat trick but missed the net. ... Salekin joining Bowers in the box with 1:45 to play. He's off for abuse of officials. The Bucks have a 5-on-3 here for 59 seconds and will finish the game on the power play. ... Mohr just fired off a nice slap shot that got on net but was stopped. ... Thirty seconds to go. ... The Americans appeared to have gotten the puck across the goal line with 14.2 to go, but the play was whistled dead and devoid of goals. ... Guys are still jumping each other after the final whistle, and Dieude-Fauvel and Wooddisse appear to be having it out.
Game Over: Bucks win 5-1, take a 3-2 series lead heading back to Allen for Game 6. They were outshot 42-28, so Pelletier deserves a lot of credit for another win and will almost definitely start again on Tuesday. I wouldn't say the Bucks played perfectly in this game - their passing can definitely still use some work - but that was a pretty strong effort in a huge game. ... Arena stars are Deschatelets (3), Pelletier (2) and Cullaton (1). Anyone else feel like Pelletier should have maybe been No. 1?
Semifinal Game Day No. 5
The Bucks will be on the ice for warmups for Game 5 of their Southern Conference Semifinal series against the Allen Americans in a matter of minutes.
Defenseman Paul Elliott is a game-time decision but is expected to be on the ice for warmups no matter what.
If he does not play, Robin Richards will get to play in his first home playoff game, and Igor Agarunov will likely move back to the blue line.
Coach Ruskowski said he will be starting Pier-Olivier Pelletier in goal for the fifth straight game, so we can expect to see him lead the Bucks onto the ice.
There are no new players on the the Bucks' roster in the pre-game notes, so it seems if they are getting an amateur defenseman, they will be waiting until at least Game 6.
You can check out those notes, my notebook from today's paper and Bryan Benway's preview for more on tonight's all-important matchup.
Those of you not in attendance can follow tonight's game here or on Pointstreak, watch on CHL-TV or listen on Imagen 94.1 FM.
Teams just skated out, and Pelletier did indeed lead the Bucks, and Chris Whitley expectably did the same for the Americans.
Elliott is out there, but I guess Ruskowski will want to see how he feels when he comes off the ice before he makes a decision about his status for tonight.
The other Southern Conference Semifinal game on the schedule tonight, Game 5 between the Governors' Cup champion Odessa Jackalopes and defending President's Cup champion Texas Brahmas, will begin at 7:05 p.m.
Somehow, the Americans fans with a drum got tickets for seats right in front of the press box. I am not a fan of this.
UPDATE: Elliott will play, and Richards is again the scratch for the Bucks.
More Quotes
Time to share more of the quotes I have, some of which you can read in context in my notebook from today's paper.
First off, the two from Todd Griffith I held because they are in that notebook:
On his play in the postseason: I'm just getting the bounces. My teammates are getting me the puck, and I’m just getting lucky. During the regular season, I struggled a little bit, but things are going my way right now and hopefully they keep going that way for the rest of the playoffs.
On tonight's game: (Today) is huge. Winning (today) gives us a 3-2 edge going back into their rink, and that means we just have to steal one and then it’s all over. (Today) is a big, big game, and I have confidence in our guys.
And now, a lot from Coach Ruskowski:
On Griffith's play in the postseason: He's hot right now. He's a streaky player, so if he gets hot, he gets hot. Right now, he’s hot, so I’m going to keep on playing him as much as I can. He has that knack for scoring goals.
On taking yesterday off: I was watching the guys (Thursday) night, and they looked like they were tired and a little bit slow. I’m just going to give them the day off. We’ll just relax, watch a little game tape and come back (today) for the (morning) skate.
On current injuries: Obviously, (Paul) Elliott, from (Thursday) night's hit, he didn't play the rest of the game. But he says he feels better. There are always going to be aches and pains. My feeling is, if there are 10 or 15 ice guys who have ice bags on, now I know they're playing hard. It's the time that they don't put ice bags on that I don't know if they're playing hard enough.
On Elliott's status: It's questionable. It's questionable if he can play or not. We'll find out later (Friday) or (Saturday) morning.
On the chances of a new player being in the lineup tonight: Maybe. And maybe not. We just have to feel it out. We'll find out how Elliott feels; there's no sense in bringing a kid in here who's not going to play, bringing him in here just to sit the bench. We may fly him into Allen to meet us there if he can play to give us a little more strength in that area up there. But it's pretty hard to fly and play the same day. It's really tough. Obviously, we had to do it this year because we were short players, but we have enough players right now. It's a luxury even having 19 players; I never had that this year. We'll just play it by ear.
On what improved in Game 4: The thing is what we did is that we lost some battles, we won some battles, but we were in better position to, if they did win, to compensate their powers. We were just in a better position that way, which was good. But I can't believe how many shots these guys block. It's absolutely incredible. I just don't see a puck gets to the net because there are like three, four guys blocking shots. They're incredible. I've never seen a team block as many shots as this team. They do a good job, a really good job.
On what still needs to improve: My feeling is we have to be a little more physical. Not dirty hits, but finishing our checks – we have to do that better. And, in their zone, we have to play a little better defense. That's my thinking on how we need to improve our game. And having patience with the puck, making positive, good plays.
On being in the team's current position: I am impressed, I really am. All the adversity that we went through with injuries, guys getting called up and staying up, guys going to Europe, guys actually quitting because they wanted to play closer to home; the adversity these guys played through, it was absolutely amazing. And how we got as far as we've gotten, it's really a show of character on their behalf. They willed it, they played hard enough to do what they had to do to make the playoffs, and here we are, tied 2-2 with a great hockey team in Allen. We're very fortunate and blessed to be in the situation we're in. I thank God for it, to tell you the truth.
On what it would mean to win the series: I would love to see us win, obviously, because I just want to win. But for all the adversity these guys went through, it would be a huge jolt of adrenaline rush for them to know that if you play hard through the adversity they went through, you still can come up to win. It would be a tremendous, tremendous boost for their morale knowing that they played hard and if you do good things and play hard, good things will happen for you. It's a long road to get to that place, though, against this team.
On who will start in goal tonight: Pelletier played so well (Thursday) there’s no way I can not play him.
On the keys to winning tonight: Again, power play and penalty killing are going to be a huge factor. Us being more physical, passing better - if we pass well, we play well, and that's something we had to do better (Thursday) night; we weren't a very good passing team again. I don't know if it just wasn't on, or if they weren't giving us a whole lot of alley ways to pass through.
On the importance of tonight's game: This is obviously the biggest game of the year. When I say big, I mean gigantic. It’s not the seventh game, but it’s like the seventh game because this is a huge game for us. If we can win this one, if the good Lord blesses us and we can win this fifth game, the pressure’s back on them. We'd have to go in there, and just win one out of two games there. I know it's not an easy task, but hopefully we can pull it off.
On what a 3-2 series lead would mean: It puts a whole lot more pressure and stress on them than on us. Obviously they have home-ice advantage, and they played the way they did all season long to get that advantage. But it’s a very different scenario to be up 3-2 than it is to be down 3-2. Either they have two chances to win at home, or we have two chances to beat them in their own building. It's a different feeling, a little more pressure and stress on them because it's a must-win every game. For us, obviously it's a must-win, too, but the second game is more of a must-win for us if we don't lose the fifth game. But, again, it's a long road home because this Allen team is good. Very, very good.
First off, the two from Todd Griffith I held because they are in that notebook:
On his play in the postseason: I'm just getting the bounces. My teammates are getting me the puck, and I’m just getting lucky. During the regular season, I struggled a little bit, but things are going my way right now and hopefully they keep going that way for the rest of the playoffs.
On tonight's game: (Today) is huge. Winning (today) gives us a 3-2 edge going back into their rink, and that means we just have to steal one and then it’s all over. (Today) is a big, big game, and I have confidence in our guys.
And now, a lot from Coach Ruskowski:
On Griffith's play in the postseason: He's hot right now. He's a streaky player, so if he gets hot, he gets hot. Right now, he’s hot, so I’m going to keep on playing him as much as I can. He has that knack for scoring goals.
On taking yesterday off: I was watching the guys (Thursday) night, and they looked like they were tired and a little bit slow. I’m just going to give them the day off. We’ll just relax, watch a little game tape and come back (today) for the (morning) skate.
On current injuries: Obviously, (Paul) Elliott, from (Thursday) night's hit, he didn't play the rest of the game. But he says he feels better. There are always going to be aches and pains. My feeling is, if there are 10 or 15 ice guys who have ice bags on, now I know they're playing hard. It's the time that they don't put ice bags on that I don't know if they're playing hard enough.
On Elliott's status: It's questionable. It's questionable if he can play or not. We'll find out later (Friday) or (Saturday) morning.
On the chances of a new player being in the lineup tonight: Maybe. And maybe not. We just have to feel it out. We'll find out how Elliott feels; there's no sense in bringing a kid in here who's not going to play, bringing him in here just to sit the bench. We may fly him into Allen to meet us there if he can play to give us a little more strength in that area up there. But it's pretty hard to fly and play the same day. It's really tough. Obviously, we had to do it this year because we were short players, but we have enough players right now. It's a luxury even having 19 players; I never had that this year. We'll just play it by ear.
On what improved in Game 4: The thing is what we did is that we lost some battles, we won some battles, but we were in better position to, if they did win, to compensate their powers. We were just in a better position that way, which was good. But I can't believe how many shots these guys block. It's absolutely incredible. I just don't see a puck gets to the net because there are like three, four guys blocking shots. They're incredible. I've never seen a team block as many shots as this team. They do a good job, a really good job.
On what still needs to improve: My feeling is we have to be a little more physical. Not dirty hits, but finishing our checks – we have to do that better. And, in their zone, we have to play a little better defense. That's my thinking on how we need to improve our game. And having patience with the puck, making positive, good plays.
On being in the team's current position: I am impressed, I really am. All the adversity that we went through with injuries, guys getting called up and staying up, guys going to Europe, guys actually quitting because they wanted to play closer to home; the adversity these guys played through, it was absolutely amazing. And how we got as far as we've gotten, it's really a show of character on their behalf. They willed it, they played hard enough to do what they had to do to make the playoffs, and here we are, tied 2-2 with a great hockey team in Allen. We're very fortunate and blessed to be in the situation we're in. I thank God for it, to tell you the truth.
On what it would mean to win the series: I would love to see us win, obviously, because I just want to win. But for all the adversity these guys went through, it would be a huge jolt of adrenaline rush for them to know that if you play hard through the adversity they went through, you still can come up to win. It would be a tremendous, tremendous boost for their morale knowing that they played hard and if you do good things and play hard, good things will happen for you. It's a long road to get to that place, though, against this team.
On who will start in goal tonight: Pelletier played so well (Thursday) there’s no way I can not play him.
On the keys to winning tonight: Again, power play and penalty killing are going to be a huge factor. Us being more physical, passing better - if we pass well, we play well, and that's something we had to do better (Thursday) night; we weren't a very good passing team again. I don't know if it just wasn't on, or if they weren't giving us a whole lot of alley ways to pass through.
On the importance of tonight's game: This is obviously the biggest game of the year. When I say big, I mean gigantic. It’s not the seventh game, but it’s like the seventh game because this is a huge game for us. If we can win this one, if the good Lord blesses us and we can win this fifth game, the pressure’s back on them. We'd have to go in there, and just win one out of two games there. I know it's not an easy task, but hopefully we can pull it off.
On what a 3-2 series lead would mean: It puts a whole lot more pressure and stress on them than on us. Obviously they have home-ice advantage, and they played the way they did all season long to get that advantage. But it’s a very different scenario to be up 3-2 than it is to be down 3-2. Either they have two chances to win at home, or we have two chances to beat them in their own building. It's a different feeling, a little more pressure and stress on them because it's a must-win every game. For us, obviously it's a must-win, too, but the second game is more of a must-win for us if we don't lose the fifth game. But, again, it's a long road home because this Allen team is good. Very, very good.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Some Quotes
These are actually from last night, but I promise the ones from today will be on here well before game time tomorrow:
Coach Ruskowski last night on getting the win: This was a huge win. It’s absolutely huge. This really sets up for a big game Saturday, and we have to come up with a big game.
Pelletier played unbelievably incredible. The puck got deflected three or four times on one shot, and he still made a save on it. He was phenomenal. And finally, our power play came alive and scored two goals for us. That was very important, to get those and obviously kill the penalties as much as we could. Scoring those power play goals and having the opportunity for my goalie to play as well as he did was absolutely tremendous.
On improvements he saw in Game 4: In the third period, I thought we played a little bit better defensively. We have to take away the point shots a little bit more; they’re creating a lot of chances from there, and we have to take that away from them. I’m hoping we can, but it’s an ongoing scenario we have to be faced with. Hopefully we can take that and the rush – they rush four guys, so if we’re not prepared, they’ll come back hard and they’re going to have a lose guy who’s ready to score, so we have to be aware of that, also.
On playing Game 5 at home: The fans were great tonight (Thursday), and hopefully they can come out Saturday and root us on. If we have a lot of crowd, we seem to play a lot better, and hopefully we can do that and we can play that way and get the guys motivated to play because each game gets bigger and bigger, and Saturday night is huge. Huge.
On getting a home playoff win: I didn’t even think about (the fact that it had been so long), but it’s very important to have that happen and have confidence that if the guys play hard and well, and they play disciplined, we have chance. They have a very good team. Let’s call a spade a spade; they have a very hockey team. If we don’t play to the best of our ability, then we’re not going to win.
Todd Griffith on the reasoning behind his confidence the Bucks would win: I thought we had a good day of practice; the guys talked to each other and just really wanted to persevere. We said we’d get pucks to the net, and that’s what we did. I’m confident in our team, and I expect the same thing for next game.
On what the team did right last night: We worked a lot harder, guys were skating both ways tonight, our defense was strong, and our goaltending was terrific. Whenever guys are doing that kind of work, you’re going to win games.
Coach Ruskowski last night on getting the win: This was a huge win. It’s absolutely huge. This really sets up for a big game Saturday, and we have to come up with a big game.
Pelletier played unbelievably incredible. The puck got deflected three or four times on one shot, and he still made a save on it. He was phenomenal. And finally, our power play came alive and scored two goals for us. That was very important, to get those and obviously kill the penalties as much as we could. Scoring those power play goals and having the opportunity for my goalie to play as well as he did was absolutely tremendous.
On improvements he saw in Game 4: In the third period, I thought we played a little bit better defensively. We have to take away the point shots a little bit more; they’re creating a lot of chances from there, and we have to take that away from them. I’m hoping we can, but it’s an ongoing scenario we have to be faced with. Hopefully we can take that and the rush – they rush four guys, so if we’re not prepared, they’ll come back hard and they’re going to have a lose guy who’s ready to score, so we have to be aware of that, also.
On playing Game 5 at home: The fans were great tonight (Thursday), and hopefully they can come out Saturday and root us on. If we have a lot of crowd, we seem to play a lot better, and hopefully we can do that and we can play that way and get the guys motivated to play because each game gets bigger and bigger, and Saturday night is huge. Huge.
On getting a home playoff win: I didn’t even think about (the fact that it had been so long), but it’s very important to have that happen and have confidence that if the guys play hard and well, and they play disciplined, we have chance. They have a very good team. Let’s call a spade a spade; they have a very hockey team. If we don’t play to the best of our ability, then we’re not going to win.
Todd Griffith on the reasoning behind his confidence the Bucks would win: I thought we had a good day of practice; the guys talked to each other and just really wanted to persevere. We said we’d get pucks to the net, and that’s what we did. I’m confident in our team, and I expect the same thing for next game.
On what the team did right last night: We worked a lot harder, guys were skating both ways tonight, our defense was strong, and our goaltending was terrific. Whenever guys are doing that kind of work, you’re going to win games.
Friday Update
I'm already back the arena because it turns out the team was only scheduled to practice today.
Coach Ruskowski decided that the guys looked tired after last night's game, so he canceled today's practice to give them a day to rest.
Because of that, players were told to arrive to the arena at 10:30 to watch tape instead of at 9:30 to get dressed and on the ice.
They were still getting to the arena in small groups when I left, so I only spoke to Coach Ruskowski this morning.
I'll post some quotes from that interview later on, but for now it's worth noting that Paul Elliott's status is currently "questionable."
He is apparently feeling better after being shaken up by that hit from behind by Matt Radoslovich last night, but he isn't a sure thing to play tomorrow.
It's unlikely, though, that he will be replaced in the lineup by an amateur, as Ruskowski said he would likely fly the defenseman he is looking at into Allen for Tuesday's Game 6 if he brings him in at all.
Speaking of Game 6, the Bucks will be hosting a watch party at Hal's for that on Tuesday.
While the Bucks were tying up their series with the Americans last night, the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs were knocking off the Colorado Eagles with a 4-2 win to sweep their Northern Conference Semifinal series.
The Northern Conference Finals could be set tonight if the Rapid City Rush can beat the Missouri Mavericks to sweep that series.
In the other Southern Conference Semifinal series, the defending league champion Texas Brahmas hold a 2-1 lead over the Governors' Cup champion Odessa Jackalopes with Game 4 between the teams set to be played tonight at the NYTEX Center.
You can read more about all the playoff matchups in today's Shots From the Point.
Oh, and you can find my story from last night's game here.
UPDATE: Forgot to mention this earlier, but Jean-Philippe Levasseur has been reassigned to the Springfield Falcons after one game on the bench for the Anaheim Ducks, who have now called up Joey MacDonald from the Toronto Marlies.
Coach Ruskowski decided that the guys looked tired after last night's game, so he canceled today's practice to give them a day to rest.
Because of that, players were told to arrive to the arena at 10:30 to watch tape instead of at 9:30 to get dressed and on the ice.
They were still getting to the arena in small groups when I left, so I only spoke to Coach Ruskowski this morning.
I'll post some quotes from that interview later on, but for now it's worth noting that Paul Elliott's status is currently "questionable."
He is apparently feeling better after being shaken up by that hit from behind by Matt Radoslovich last night, but he isn't a sure thing to play tomorrow.
It's unlikely, though, that he will be replaced in the lineup by an amateur, as Ruskowski said he would likely fly the defenseman he is looking at into Allen for Tuesday's Game 6 if he brings him in at all.
Speaking of Game 6, the Bucks will be hosting a watch party at Hal's for that on Tuesday.
While the Bucks were tying up their series with the Americans last night, the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs were knocking off the Colorado Eagles with a 4-2 win to sweep their Northern Conference Semifinal series.
The Northern Conference Finals could be set tonight if the Rapid City Rush can beat the Missouri Mavericks to sweep that series.
In the other Southern Conference Semifinal series, the defending league champion Texas Brahmas hold a 2-1 lead over the Governors' Cup champion Odessa Jackalopes with Game 4 between the teams set to be played tonight at the NYTEX Center.
You can read more about all the playoff matchups in today's Shots From the Point.
Oh, and you can find my story from last night's game here.
UPDATE: Forgot to mention this earlier, but Jean-Philippe Levasseur has been reassigned to the Springfield Falcons after one game on the bench for the Anaheim Ducks, who have now called up Joey MacDonald from the Toronto Marlies.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Semifinal Game 4
Pre-Game: Pier-Olivier Pelletier will continue his streak of consecutive playoff starts for the Bucks with a fourth tonight. He'll be wearing his black and yellow pads from the start this time, though. ... Robin Richards is again the Bucks' scratch. ... You can get more info about tonight in my notebook from today's paper, Bryan Benway's preview and the Pointstreak pre-game notes. .. You can follow tonight's game here or on Pointstreak, watch on CHL-TV or listen on Imagen 94.1 FM.
Starters: Sylvain Deschatelets (F), Paul Elliott (D), Todd Griffith (F), Mike Looby (D), Pelletier (G), Evan Schwabe (F); Americans - Erik Adams (D), Jordie Benn (D), Jarret Lukin (F), Tobias Whelan (F), Chris Whitley (G), Colton Yellow Horn (F).
First Period: Schwabe draws a penalty right off the bat, with Adams being sent to the box for hooking him up just 36 seconds into the game after Schwabe broke away from the pack after a shot by the Americans and streaked down the ice toward Whitley. Let's see if the Bucks are able to set up on a power play tonight. ... Not so much. Lukin has made it 1-0 on a shorthanded goal. Pelletier stopped the first shot thrown at him on that play, but Lukin was there to flip the puck over his shoulder while he was down trying to cover it up. Americans lead 1-0 at 1:05. ... Seems the Bucks were using four forwards and just one defenseman - Looby - on that power play shift. Wonder if that was the new thing they're trying. ... Two defenseman on the points now that the second unit has come out. ... Bucks finally creating something as the power play expires. ... The Americans were just able to clear it after a close call that saw Whitley flopping around in his crease and struggling to get back into position. They iced the puck, though, so the Bucks will get a faceoff back in front of Whitley. ... Brent Cullaton has gotten his first point back with the bucks on a pretty nifty goal that rang off the post into the net and back out. He and his linemates were entering the zone when Cullaton decided to just shoot the puck instead of passing. Well, technically, he passed the puck to himself off his skate. Nice move. Jeff Bes was open for a drop pass right behind him but seemed pretty content with the end result of him not getting the puck. Game tied 1-1 at 3:19 in the period. ... Looby to the box for elbowing at 4:41 to put the Americans on their first power play. ... Bruce Graham just deflected a pass right out front of Pelletier into the post, and the loose puck seemed to evade the goalie until he turned around entirely and got his glove over it with his back to the rest of the players on the ice. ... Penalty killed. ... Bucks seem to have taken note of what the Americans did to them on Tuesday because they are blocking a lot of shots and breaking up plenty of passes. ... Benjamin Dieude-Fauvel in the box now for a slashing call 1t 6:36. Americans back on the power play. ... Americans helping the Bucks' cause by missing the net on at least half of their shot attempts so far. ... Third time really was the charm for the Bucks as they just scored their second goal with Griffith banging home a third-chance attempt after Whitley stopped the first two shots. No way he was going to miss that, with Whitley down and out in his crease. Bucks have the lead at home for the first time in this series, up 2-1 at 13:27. ... It was pretty non-stop back-and-forth in the minutes leading up to that, with very few stoppages in play. ... Griffith's goal is currently listed as unassisted, but I imagine they'll add a couple of helpers there eventually. Cullaton's goal might stay unassisted, though. We'll see. ... Benn just made a great individual effort to gain the zone, get behind the net, then wrap around and out a bit to take a shot on Pelletier, but Pelletier made the save. ... The top line just entered the zone pretty strongly, but Darryl Smith missed Bes on a pass that ended up behind his back to kill the play. ... Agarunov and Dieude-Fauvel just got a 2-on-1 break against Brandon Straub, and Dieude-Fauvel carried the puck into the zone and shot it only to have Whitley make the stop. ... Matt Radoslavich just took down Paul Elliott from behind, and Elliott is still lying on the ice. The only movement his body has made is Bobby Moore moving him a bit. Okay, now he's sitting up. Deschatelets was the first player to come over and check on him, and a few guys are going back and forth from the corner now. Elliott has stood up and is skating on his own, but you have to wonder if he got knocked out for a second after the way he stayed on the ice like that. He went back to the bench, so I'll monitor his playing time from here on out. ... Radoslavich has been given a five-minute boarding major and a game misconduct. The Bucks will use the first 1:41 of that power play now and the other 3:19 on a fresh sheet of ice at the start of the second period. Let's see what they can do with it. ... Nothing so far. ... End of the period, Bucks lead 2-1, Americans up 15-12 on shots. ... As expected, assists are being added for the Bucks' goals. Smith and Bes get them on Cullaton's, and Schwabe and Deschatelets get them on Griffith's.
Second Period: Elliott is not on the ice or the bench to start the second as far as I can tell. ... Bucks still on the power play. ... And 80 seconds into the period, they have taken advantage of that advantage. Neil Trimm just scored after re-directing a shot by Adam Rivet past Whitley into the net. I guess that could technically have been a pass, but whatever the case, the puck got to the net, and Trimm put it in there. They're announcing assists as Schwabe-Rivet, but Schwabe definitely passed the puck to Rivet, who then got the puck to Trimm. Whitley is losing it with all the corn being thrown in his direction. Bucks lead 3-1 at 1:20. ... The Bucks will get a huge 1:50 5-on-3 advantage now with Straub heading to the box for tripping in the neutral zone at 1:29. ... Jarred Mohr and Rivet made a couple nice touch passes, and Rivet hit a post, but no goals so far with the first 58 seconds of that expired and a puck now out of play. The Americans have yet to clear, and a new unit is coming out for the Bucks now. ... Both penalties killed. The Bucks didn't score, but they did keep the puck in the Americans' zone, get set up and take some shots, so that's an improvement. ... Americans hit a post on their ensuing rush. ... Adams just sent a nice slapper from the top of the circle into the net to cut the Bucks' lead to one goal. They aren't giving out assists now, but they will. Bucks lead 3-2 at 4:57. ... Cullaton just took an elbow to the face, and as a result, Fairbarn is headed to the box to serve two for elbowing at 8:18. ... Penalty killed. ... Tyler Wooddisse just took a stick to the face in a scramble around the Americans' net and tried his best to get a call but did not. ... Cullaton to the box for slashing at 12:56 to put the Americans on a power play. ... And now the Americans get their 5-on-3 for the game, with Mohr joining Cullaton in the sin bin to serve two for hooking at 13:19. The 5-on-3 for them will last 1:23 or until they score. ... Radoslovich just trudged up the steps to take a seat with his teammates who have been in the stands since the start of the second, and his face looked familiar, so I checked his Hockey DB page, and sure enough, he was on the Boston University hockey team my first two years there. Random. ... Bucks get a bit of a break now with Nathan O'Nabigan headed to the box to serve a too-many-men bench minor at 14:32 and make this 4-on-3, then 4-9n-4, then a power play for the Bucks for 1:13. ... Somehow, the Americans managed to stay the aggressor on the ice for the first half of the Bucks' advantage, but now the Bucks get a faceoff in the Americans' zone and a chance to set up. ... I wouldn't say they really set up, but they definitely scored. A wicked wrister from Griffith between the circles ripped past Whitley into the net to make it 4-2 Bucks at 16:21 in the game. He won the (minimal) battle along the wall to get the puck out to where he shot it from, but I'm sure someone will ask for an assist on that eventually. When Griffith told me yesterday he didn't see the Bucks losing tonight, I was wondering if he was a bit over-confident, but I guess he decided to do as much as he can to make sure they don't. ... Griffith now has two goals tonight and four in the series. Game 1 was the only one he didn't score in, but he did have an assist. ... End of the period, Bucks lead 4-2, Americans up 26-23 on shots. The Bucks are getting a standing ovation from mostly everyone in the crowd other than Eric Giosa's brother (his family was at practice yesterday, and I can see them sitting over in 118) as they leave the ice. ... The assist on Griffith's second goal is going to Schwabe. Both goals for the Americans remain unassisted. ... Okay, the refs finally insisted that the off-ice officials give the Americans a couple assists. Mike Salekin and O'Nabigan get them for the goal by Adams.
Third Period: Elliott still not out there. Guess I'll be asking about his status after the game. ... Wooddisse is in the box for hooking at 3:35 to give the Bucks a chance to add to their lead on the power play. ... The Bucks' goal horn has been blown for no reason once again, as a shot by Looby thought to be inside the net was actually on the outside of it, which no one seemed to realize until Deschatelets started jabbing away at it in attempt to give his team a chance to score an actual goal. ... Penalty killed. ... Schwabe just tried to give Griffith a chance for the hat trick, but Griffith couldn't quite get his shot off, and the puck was deflected out of play. ... Whelan just got a couple chances on a loose puck but couldn't elevate it above Pelleterier's pad. ... Smith and Cullaton just had a good chance, but an attempted centering pass was broken up by a diving Whelan. ... Mohr going to the box for slashing at 11:51 to give the Americans a crucial power play chance. ... Very short shifts were apparently the way to go on that penalty kill, because the Bucks have taken care of it with ease. ... And right after I type that, Yellow Horn buried a great pass from a teammate whose number I did not catch. He beat Pelletier top shelf from the left corner of his crease. Just to make things interesting, we have a 4-3 game with 6:02 to play. ... Of course, they are listing that goal as unassisted. It was not, I promise. ... Okay, they had to ask the Americans broadcaster who had the assists, but at least they got them. Lukin and Whelan. ... Griffith and Straub just got tangled up in the neutral zone, and Griffith wanted a call but got nothing. ... Americans taking their time out with 1:39 left on the clock. Whitley will be on the bench when they take the next faceoff, which will be in the Bucks' zone. ... Oh man, the puck just cleared the length of the ice with Griffith all alone chasing it but he couldn't get his stick on it in time to score the empty-netter. So close. ... Those of us in the press box have been forced to stand due to the fact that several of the fans in attendance just had to be placed in the row right in front of us. ... Another faceoff coming with 45.7 seconds to go. ... Bucks using their time out now. ... The Americans players in the stands are on their feet, as well. ... Despite not clearing the puck past the neutral zone a single time, the Bucks held on to that one-goal lead.
Game Over: Bucks win 4-3 despite being outshot 40-30 and have tied the series 2-2. This is their first home playoff win since April 26, 2008.
Quote Post
Sorry to post these so close to game time, but here are the quotes from yesterday, typed up in the order of interviews:
Darryl Smith on the difference between Games 1 and 2 and Game 3: Just the intensity part of it. I think (Tuesday) night we came out a little flat, and they got two kind of lucky goals. You don’t want to say lucky, they worked hard for them, but they got some bounces early. I think our team just has to really realize that it’s a long game; it’s 60 minutes for a reason. If there’s 50 minutes left in the game, it’s still a lot of time. We just have to really come out, and I think the first goal is huge.
On the third period of Game 3: I don’t know if there was really a drop-off, but I just, I don’t know what it was (Tuesday) night. But I think all the guys in the room know we have to play better if we’re going to win a championship. Everybody in the room knows it, coaches know it, players know it, trainers know it – everybody. We just have to come out with a better effort. In playoffs, it’s a 10-minute rule; win or lose, you enjoy it or dwell on it for 10 minutes, then you turn the page. So I think that’s what we have to keep doing.
On working around the Americans’ defense: I think we just have to move the puck a little bit quicker, and when the puck’s on our stick, shoot it right away. Instead of letting them get in the shooting lanes and things like that, we really just have to move it. The puck moves a lot quicker than a person, so if we can just move the puck and get guys to the net and crash the net hard, I’m sure we’ll get some goals like that.
On the Bucks’ defensive play: I think so far our defense has been all right. We’ve played pretty well, and to limit a team like this, with that many skill players to the amount of goals that we have allowed, I think we’ve been doing a pretty good job. But there’s always room for improvement, especially in playoffs. If we could shut them out every game, that’s our goal, but something that we really take pride in is our defense, and I think we really just have to keep working at it and keep talking down low – that really helps everybody.
On needing a win tonight: It’s huge. Either we’re one game away from elimination, or we tie the series back up. I think (tonight’s) going to be a really pivotal game, and I think everybody in the room knows it. We talked about it on the ice today in practice, and everybody just has to come ready to work. I think everybody knows the importance of the game. It would be a lot better having Game 5 here at home, too, tied up at 2 instead of being down 3-1, so I think that’s what everybody’s looking forward to.
Todd Griffith on whether the team’s intensity dropped in Game 3: Not really. Sometimes when they get those two quick goals, it’s a little hit to the ego, but we did come through, and we did try to get back into it, scoring a goal and guys were hitting and stuff like that. You run into those kind of games coming off a long road trip, but I think we’re going to be fine. We’re going to persevere these last two games (at home) and come out on top.
On how the Bucks can score in this series: Just get pucks to the net. The puck that came to the slot just happened to go in for me, so we’re going to need our defense to shoot more and get our big bodies in front of the net and get some screens and get some goals.
On whether the hostility between the teams will carry over: I hope so. You always want the intensity. It brings your heart rate up, and it helps out down the road when you come into the third period if you get guys fighting and guys playing the rough stuff. Usually, they’re the guys who are going to score the goals. I’m pretty sure it’s going to carry over. Obviously, me and (Mike) Salekin really don’t like each other too much, and that’s not just from playing here – we’ve hated each other for the last couple years. Everyone’s going to be into the game, everyone’s going to be hitting and trying to fight and play whatever they have to do. Fighting is part of the game, and if it happens out there, it happens, so it’s going to be a good one.
On winning Game 1 on the road: It’s huge when you go into a rink and steal a game. Obviously, it doesn’t really mean anything now that they’ve come in and beaten us in our rink. Right now, we’re on an even keel, and we’re just trying to take one game at a time. We’re going to play (tonight), and we’re going to win tonight, and then we’re going to play Saturday and hopefully win Saturday, then go into their rink, and we’ll have to steal one.
On the importance of winning tonight: It’s really important. Going down 3-1 is really tough, so winning (tonight) is really, really big for us. Our guys are ready, our guys have been working hard; we’ve gone over quite a few things, and I don’t see us losing (tonight). So we’re going to bear through it, and we’re going to come out on top.
Coach Ruskowski on working around the Americans’ defense: I think we have to be more conscientious when we get the puck back at the point. It doesn’t have to be a blistering slap shot; we just have to get the puck to the net. If it’s a wrist shot, then let’s do a wrist shot. If you have a chance to really wind up and crank it, then we wind up and crank it, shoot hard. But our point men have to be more conscientious; they have to shoot with their heads up, see where they’re shooting. Instead of burying their heads and just hoping it gets the puck to the net, we have to make sure it does get to the net.
On problems with the power play in Game 3: Our passing was off again. When we pass well, we play well, and when we don’t pass well, we struggle. We struggled last night because we didn’t make any good passes. If you want to have a good power play, or if you want to have a good breakout, that first has to be on the stick, it has to be handled, and everybody else has to play the right position to get the puck out and get it in the offensive zone. We didn’t pass very well last night. Every time we pass well, we play well, and every time we don’t, we struggle, and that’s what happened last night. It seems like we were always a step behind. Instead of going right after the guy, we hesitated, and by the time we decided to go, the puck was already going out and we were going in. That’s kind of bothersome, worrisome for me. I don’t know why they did that. They hesitated. They have to read and react quickly and make good passes.
On passing in the neutral zone: It’s crucial. A bad pass makes for a bad play, a good play makes for a good play. The flow is there, you’re forechecking well, everything just falls into place when you pass well. You look at the NHL, you watch their games and how they pass and how they can control the pass when they get it, and it seems like guys are always in position – boom, boom, boom, they’re making offensive chances to score. When you make bad passes, you seem like you’re in your own zone more than you should be, and that was kind of the scenario (Tuesday). We had chances last game, we just couldn’t bury them. When they had chances, they buried them. They’re just a good hockey team.
On the effect of the Americans scoring twice early: It definitely took away from our game plan, no question about that. We had to change game plans and try to now instead of making sure we do something, we had to try to create some offense. So it took us out of our game plan. Those two goals didn’t help at all. It’s tough to score against a team that’s as good as Allen, so we’ll just have to make sure we’re more conscientious (tonight).
On how the defense is playing so far this series: We’ve got to win the 1-on-1 battles in our zone. We have to win them in their zone, too, but it’s crucial to win the 1-on-1 battles in our zone. We say to the guys, ‘If you win the little battles, you’ll win the war,’ and we didn’t win the little battles anywhere on the ice. We did sometimes, but not on a consistent basis, and we have to win those little battles. We have to win those little battles.
On the Bucks’ mentality going into those battles: If I knew the answer to that, I’d probably bottle it and be a millionaire. I don’t know what their mentality is. Their mentality is, ‘This is what we’re supposed to do, let’s do it every time,’ but when they get away from it, I don’t know what they’re thinking. Maybe they’re thinking something different from what I’m thinking. Maybe they’re trying to take away a pass or block this, but they should be doing this – this is what they’re taught to do. Sometimes I walk away kind of scratching my head and go, ‘Huh. That’s not what I taught them.’ It’s frustrating as a coach.
On trying to get on the same page in Wednesday’s practice: We changed around a couple things, and hopefully it’ll work. We’ll see. But again, you can teach it, but they have to execute the game plan. The game plan is what they have to do, they have to execute it to the best of their ability, knowing what they have to do and how to do it. So we changed things up a little bit, and I said, ‘When you have a second today, just go over what we did today, what we went over and what I taught you. That way, when it comes to the game, you’ll be so prepared it will come naturally to you.’
On tonight’s starting goalie: I really haven’t made that decision. I’m really not totally convinced what I’m going to do yet. I really haven’t, I don’t know.
On tonight’s game significance for the entire season: We’ve fought adversity all year. Just look at the weight chart. We had to put another weight chart because we had so many guys come in and leave, either hurt, in here for a short while or gone somewhere else… it’s been a very trying year. We’ve gone through a lot. And we’re going to have to persevere. Knowing that we’re down two games to one, we’re going to have to persevere, come back and win the hockey game (tonight). All I ever ask my players is to give me their best. Do our system and give me your best. If the best isn’t good enough, then we’ll walk away saying, ‘Oh well, we have to improve for next year.’ Our good players that are going to be healthy staying here all year. You take our No. 1 goalie away, (Lance) Monych leaves, bring another goalie in here and he wants to go back; it was just a year that the good Lord really trusted my patience. He really did. It was a difficult year, a lot of ups and downs, and we persevered. We just have to persevere again.
On getting a win at home: It was big (Tuesday); if we could have won that, momentum would have come to (tonight). But it’s huge. Our fans have been there with us through thick and thin. They saw us play badly, they saw us play well, they saw us play inconsistently, and they saw us play consistently. We just need their help. Right now, we need their help. The more we have in here, the louder they are, the better we play, the more consistent we are, and the more energy we have. It’s a big part of our success having people come in here. I sure wish we had won (Tuesday) because then I know momentum would have built for (tonight’s) game, but I just hope people will realize that we need their help and come out and support us.
On the amateur situation: I'm waiting for a number right now on a defenseman. We'll see. Hopefully get that number soon. He's an American kid, so I don't have to worry about visas and all that kind of stuff. So I'm just waiting right now to get a text message to get a number and see if we can bring him in.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)