Bucks Rally Falls Short in 2-1 Loss

Mar. 18, 2011- RAPID CITY, SD- The Laredo Bucks of the Central Hockey League fell to the Rapid City Rush 2-1 Friday night at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center. Rio Grande Valley also lost Friday night keeping the Bucks two points behind the Killer Bees for the final playoff spot in the Berry Conference with four games remaining. The Bucks lost their second straight game to fall to 22-32-8 (52 points).

Danny Battochio stopped 23 of 24 shots he faced as the Rush improves to 37-22-4 (78 points).

The Bucks mounted a furious rally in the third period cutting the Rush lead to 2-1 with just 2:51 left when Jeff Hazelwood scored a power-play goal from the blue line. The goal was Hazelwood’s 17th of the season.

Laredo was granted another power-play with less than two minutes left and had several chances to tie the game but Battochio made key saves as the Rush hung on.

The Bucks were outshot 10-4 in the third period and for the game 29-24.

Pier Pelletier stopped 27 of 29 shots as the Bucks lost their second straight game.

The Rush jumped out of the Bucks scoring twice in the first period to take a 2-0 lead.

Derek LeBlanc put Rapid City 1-0 at the 4:29 mark of the first when he scored from an odd-angle just above the end line. The goal was LeBlanc’s 24th of the season.

The Rush would go up 2-0 with 3:52 left in the first when Ryan Menei scored from the top of the right circle on an odd-man rush to collect his team-leading 37th goal of the season.

Rapid City outshot Laredo 13-6 in the first period.

Neither team was able to the lamp in the second period as the Rush held a 2-0 lead after 40 minutes of play.

Rapid City improves to 27-0 this season when leading after two periods.

Laredo outshot Rapid City 14-6 in the second period.

The Bucks continue their four-game road trip Saturday in Rapid City. Game time is 8:05pm. 

*BIKER NIGHT, GIVE BLOOD, PLAY HOCKEY MARCH 26th*

On Saturday March 26th the Bucks host Missouri on Biker Night and will host their semi-annual Give Blood Play Hockey Blood drive at Laredo Energy Arena.

The Bucks will wear special biker jerseys that will be auctioned off after the game.

The Give Blood, Play Hockey blood drive is from 10am-6pm in the LEA concourse with everyone who donates blood receiving FREE BUCKS TICKETS and other great gifts. Call 718-BUCK for info.

The Bucks will also hold their first-ever Biker Poker Run that day with registration starting at 2:30pm at Harley Davidson. Bikers who participate in the poker run will get TWO tickets to the game, receive beer specials that night and are registered to win great prizes. Pre-register for the poker run by calling Samantha Cuppen at 523-6593.

*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.

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