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.