Bucks Eliminated From Playoff Race

Mar. 26, 2011- LAREDO, TX- The Laredo Bucks of the Central Hockey League beat the Missouri Mavericks 2-1 Saturday night at Laredo Energy Arena. Although Laredo won, they were eliminated from the playoff race when Rio Grande Valley defeated Texas 5-4 to clinch the final playoff spot in the Berry Conference. The Bucks failed to make the postseason for the first time in their nine year franchise history.

Torrie Jung stopped 33 of 34 shots he faced to help the Bucks snap a four-game losing streak. Laredo improves to 6-1 in their last seven home games including winning three straight.

The Bucks (23-34-8, 54 points) scored first for the second straight game as they took a 2-0 lead just 4:15 into the first period.

Laredo went up 1-0 just 1:23 into the game when Daniel Koger re-directed Benjamin Dieude-Fauvel’s slap shot from the point to pick up his team-leading 29th goal of the season. Koger has goals in back to back games for the Bucks.

The Bucks would increase their lead to 2-0 at the 4:15 mark of the first when Serge Dube took a drop pass from Neil Trimm on an odd-man rush and scored from the right circle. The tally was Dube’s fourth of the season and his first since November 13th. Dube’s goal was the 85th of his Bucks career.

Laredo outshot Missouri 14-12 in the first period.

Missouri (37-23-8) cut the Laredo lead to 2-1 at the 3:34 mark of the second when Brandon Coccimigilo scored on the power-play from right in front of the Bucks net. Coccimigilo, who had a hat trick Friday night, picked up his seventh of the year.

Neither team scored in the third period as the Bucks hung on for the win. Laredo was outshot 8-7 in the third period as well as for the game 34-30.

Gerry Festa stopped 28 of 30 shots for the Mavericks.

The Bucks improve to just 5-33-6 this season when scoring three or less goals in a game.

*GIVE BLOOD, PLAY HOCKEY REACHES GOAL*

Prior to Saturday’s game the Bucks held their semi-annual Give Blood, Play Hockey Blood Drive and reached their goal of collecting 113 units of blood. The South Texas Blood and Tissue Center, along with the Laredo Bucks thank everyone who donated blood to help reach the goal.

*PUCKS & PAWS DAY MARCH 27th*

On Sunday March 27th the Bucks host Texas in the regular season finale at Laredo Energy Arena with a special start time of 4pm. The Bucks will host their first-ever Pucks and Paws day, where fans can bring their dog to the game for only $10 per dog.  The dog must be 25 pounds or less. $5 out of the $10 will go directly to the Laredo Animal Shelter. There will be special activities for the dogs that day, including a Dog Photo Booth, "Category Dog Contests" such as owner/dog look-a-like, a dog obstacle course, and City of Laredo/Animal Control tutorials. Each person bringing a dog, must register their dog before entering the arena. Call 718-BUCK (2825) for tickets.

*BUCKS TO GIVEAWAY ATV ON MARCH 27th*

The Bucks will give away a one-of-a-kind Laredo Bucks ATV during the regular season finale on March 27th at Laredo Energy Arena. The first 500 people ages 18 and over to enter the LEA will receive one FREE chance to win the ATV. Everyone will be able to purchase more chances to win the ATV at the Bucks team store. The drawing will be held during the second intermission. Call 718-BUCK (2825) for tickets.

2010-11 BUCKS SEASON TICKETS
Contact your personal Bucks representative or call 718-BUCK (2825) today to get your 2010-11 Bucks season tickets!

BUCKS IN THE COMMUNITY
To schedule an appearance by a Bucks player, coach, Bucky, or member of the front office staff contact Nicole Kupaks at (956)523-6590, or e-mail her at nkupaks@laredobucks.com.

BECOME A BUCKS CORPORATE PARTNER
Your company can become a vital part of the Laredo Bucks family by reaching our fans with your business message. To create a customized advertising package for your company, contact Donald Thomson at (956) 523-7711, or dthomson@laredobucks.com. 

BUCKS RADIO HOME
All 66 of the Bucks regular-season games, plus any additional post-season games can be heard live all-season on Imagen 94.1-FM, as well as online at laredobucks.com. You can also watch all Bucks games online via CHL-TV.

JOIN THE BUCKS BOOSTER CLUB
To join the Laredo Bucks Booster Club contact club President Janie Moore at j.moore.44@hotmail.com.

2004 & 2006 CHL President’s Cup Champions
2003-04 Governors’ Cup Regular Season Champions
Laredo Bucks -- 2002-03 CHL Franchise of the Year