killerbeefans.com

[puddinman]

After reading Sandalow's article today, along with the musings and grumblings of my fellow posters I've been kind of summing up my own thoughts about this season so far. . .

We all know that there is talent on this team. When they are on, they are hard to beat. The problem lies when they are off, which has been happening way too much this season. How do you play such a good game against Texas -winning 5-2, then fall to Corpus 6-0? How do you rally from behind to beat Colorado 3-2 then fall to Laredo 6-2? This doesn't make logical sense.

So what is it? Locker room issues? This was my leading theory, but I've seen no actual evidence. In fact, everything I hear points to quite the opposite. My next theory is conditioning. Maybe they are so up and down because they aren't in tip-top shape. Maybe nagging injuries, lackadaisical training, off-ice personal issues, 17th Street, or something else? Another issue (that works in conjunction with conditioning) might be the travel schedule. I don't remember that in years past that the travel has been as crazy as this year. Last weekend was a good example. On Wed. they played in Odessa, schlepped to Bossier for Fri, drove all the way back home to play Sat., then hopped to CC for Sun. And how many travelling W-F-Sa-Su weeks have there been this year? That's pretty brutal and has to interfere with practice and training time.

Luckily, the rest of this season isn't too bad travel-wise, so we'll see how much of a factor that was. Also, I'm glad to see that the players acknowledge that there is a problem. I'm not ready to give up hope yet. We are tied for fifth, but still in reach of fourth and even third. The key is winning against our rivals. We have to beat Laredo at every opportunity. If we do that, we overtake them. We have to beat CC just to keep them off our tails. We have 22 games left this season and 14 of them come against LRD or CC. If we can win the majority of those and get a win out of Allen and some of those Northern Conference teams (damn Mudbugs!) we will be in great shape.
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Blog: puddinman.wordpress.com

[beethereorbesquare]

I totally agree and it couldn't be said any better.

[KILRBEES]

Puddin', what are you drinking and can I have some? Let's bee realistic here. This is not about extreme loyatly to our Bees or beeing fairweather fans. This is about keeping things in perspective and having a realistic point of view. While I like your optimism, I do however, strongly disagree. The time has passed, plain and simple. Trades, waivers, adjustments should have been done a month or so ago. I'd like to see Brooks trade or waive at least 4 players and bring in whoever he can gets his hands on. Then make a run for the playoffs. This, in my opinion, would bee better than doing nothing and slowly fading into the night. Brooks was quoted on Brian Sandalow's blog as saying something about the team being above .500 all season and thus no need for changes. Wouldn't this bee mediocre? When this team plays well, they are like a well-tuned engine. But even well-tuned engines need a tune-up every once in a while and this team is well over due for a tune up. I don't think that there has ever been a time when a bees fan has come on this board to demand the cup or even the play offs. What has been demanded though, is hard work and effort. I'd rather see the Bees loose games by 1 or 2 goals and provide us with great entertainment than this inconsistency and the 7-0 embarrassments. Win or not, I'll bee there til the last horn sounds in that last game and I will bee anxiously waiting the drop of the puck for next season. There are just some things that make a fan go WTF!!!
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SPEAK SOFTLY, BUT CARRY A BIG STICK!

[KILRBEES]

More good new for the Bees!

02/04/2010 10:07 AM

Former Captain Dube Returns To Bucks

LAREDO, TX- The Laredo Bucks of the Central Hockey League announced Thursday that former Team Captain Serge Dube has signed with the team. Dube, who retired in October prior to this seasons training camp, is expected to be in the line-up Thursday when the Bucks host Rio Grande Valley at the LEC.

The 30-year-old Dube is the franchises All-Time leader in games played with 381, and has two Championship rings with the Bucks. Dube worked in the Bucks front office as a ticket account executive from June-November 2009.

“We need Serge Dube in our line-up no doubt about it,” said Bucks President/General Manager and Head Coach Terry Ruskowski. “He brings tons of leadership and he’s one of the best at his position.”

Dube, who is considered one of the best defensemen in the CHL, was honored with the 2006 CHL Most Outstanding Defenseman award, and is a three-time CHL All-Star (’04, ’06, ‘0.

Dube has also been honored with the CHL Player of the Month award in November 2005, and the CHL Player of the Week award in January of 2004.

In his seven seasons’ in Laredo, Dube is among the all-time franchise leaders in several categories. Besides being the all-time Bucks leader in games played, Dube is fourth all-time in goals scored with 81, second all-time in assists with 245, and second all-time in points with 326. In addition, Dube is tied for fifth all-time in single-season assists, handing out 50 during the Bucks first CHL championship season of 2003-2004. Dube is also tied for sixth all-time with six game-winning goals during the Bucks second CHL championship season of 2005-06.

In addition to winning two CHL Championships, Dube, an original Buck, helped lead Laredo to four straight Southern Conference Championships (2004-2007), six straight Southern Conference Finals appearances (2003-2008), five straight Southeast Division Championships (2004-2008), and seven straight playoff appearances (2003-2009).

Dube was named Captain at the start of the 2006-07 season after Brent Cullaton left to play in the UHL. During his tenure as captain Dube led the Bucks to the 2007 Southern Conference title, as well as two Southeast Division crowns in 2006-07, and 2007-08. The Bucks were a combined 120-59-13 in his Dube’s three seasons as captain.

Last season Dube put up 42 points (10-32=42) in 57 games, including five power-play goals and 13 power-play assists. In last seasons playoff series against Odessa Dube scored three points (1-2=3) in six games.

In 2007-08 Dube, who is from Sudbury, Ontario but lives in Laredo with his wife Aileen, was selected to his third CHL All-Star game, as he had another solid year. Dube scored nine goals, handed out 37 assists for 46 points, in 57 games.

During the 2008 playoffs Dube knocked in two goals, with nine assists for 11 points. Six of his nine playoff assists were on the power-play.

In 2006-07 Dube put up 53 points (16-37=53) in 60 games in his first season as Captain. Dube picked up 12 (1-11=12) points in the 2007 postseason, leading Laredo to the Southern Conference Championship.

Dube and the Bucks won their second President’s Cup Title in 2005-06, and he played a large role. Dube scored 55 points (14-41=55) in the regular season, and put up nine points (3-6=9) in the 2006 Playoffs.

Dube began the 2004-05 campaign overseas with the Bracknell Bees, playing in 11 games before returning to Laredo.

Upon returning to the Bucks in 2004-05, Dube struggled with injuries, and missed a portion of the season. When he returned to the line-up on February 23, 2005, the Bucks were struggling with a 23-22-2 record. With Dube back in the line-up the Bucks finished up the regular season an incredible 12-0-1, capturing both the Southeast Division Title, and the Southern Conference Championship, before falling in the President’s Cup Finals.

Dube had his best statistical season in Laredo during the 2003-04 championship season. In 59 games Dube posted a career high 18-goals, with 50 assists, for 68 points, in helping the Bucks to a CHL-best 48-8-8 record- best all-time in the CHL. Dube scored the game-tying goal in game seven of the 2004 President’s Cup Finals, knotting the game at 2-2 nearly seven minutes into the third period. The Bucks would win their first Championship in overtime that night.

In the Bucks inaugural season in 2002-03 Dube, then a rookie, would score 46 points (10-36=46) in the regular season. In the 2003 Playoffs Dube knocked in six points (2-4=6).
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SPEAK SOFTLY, BUT CARRY A BIG STICK!

[BeeLady]

At least the Bucks had someone to fall back on. Hey Dennis, are you listening?? On another note, what is this I hear about Mike Harr??!!
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common sense... it's a terrible thing to waste

[KILRBEES]

Are you picking our brains or spilling the beans?
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SPEAK SOFTLY, BUT CARRY A BIG STICK!

[KILRBEES]

Ohh! You mean this:

Rio Grande Valley 02/03/10 Harr, Mike (D) traded to Missouri
Rio Grande Valley 02/03/10 Davis, Andrew (D) acquired in trade from Missouri
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SPEAK SOFTLY, BUT CARRY A BIG STICK!

[KILRBEES]

Wonder when we get him. Probably Saturday up in Allen.


2009/2010 Rio Grande Valley 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
2009/2010 Missouri 41 5 7 12 -3 105 1 3 0 1 2 60 .083
2008/2009 Wichita 41 3 12 15 -23 135 2 5 0 1 0 74 .041
TOTALS 82 8 19 27 -26 240 3 8 0 2 2 134 .06


105 pims. Looks like this guy doesn't take any crap. We can use that. Well, it's a start.
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SPEAK SOFTLY, BUT CARRY A BIG STICK!

[BeeLady]

I'm reserving judgement when I see him on the ice, not depending on stats as the majority and then wonder what happened to the performance if it's lack luster. No added disappointments either.
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common sense... it's a terrible thing to waste

[puddinman]

I hear where you are coming from KILRBEES. I too will be there 'til the bitter end, but I really do think that there is a glimmer of hope. That's ok though, we can disagree on that point.

As for the Harr trade . . . I guess Brooks made good on his statement that he would make a move just shake things up a little. I don't know that I would have decided to trade Harr rather than a couple of other dudes, but I understand why that might not have been an option. That's probably why I'm not a coach! However, I am all for bringing a tougher presence to the blue line.

As for Dube . . . there was a reason that he decided to "retire" this year. Sure, he undoubtedly brings leadership, but are his skills up to snuff?

Anyone hear anything on Kannigan or Seerey?

On all these issues, we shall see . . . .
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Blog: puddinman.wordpress.com