Bucks 3, Scorpions 1

There's really not much to say, as this had to be of the most aggressively mediocre hockey games I have ever seen. In short, fans only got to see 20 minutes of well-contested hockey.

Observations:

• The only other time I've had any quarrel with officiating was after Colorado's 2-1 "victory" on Dec. 20, but there was no getting past Kevin Graber's performance tonight. I know it makes me sound like a complete homer, but what game was Graber watching? The second period effectively killed any excitement, energy or rhythm that the game had after 20 minutes. It wasn't just the calls against the Scorpions either -- it started with the interference call to Alex Goupil that lead to the game's first goal. No player is dumb enough to level someone in open ice when his team is setting up a rush from behind the net. It was an incidental collision between Goupil and Mike MacDonald, and it should have gone uncalled. But to even things up by giving the Bucks consecutive 5-on-3 powerplays in the span of 7 minutes? And these were LONG two-man advantages, too. I also have trouble understanding how Chris Robertson gets called for an everyday slash when Laredo's first goal came because Robertson's stick got slashed clean out of his hands on the faceoff. If a referee is has make-up calls on his agenda, he needs to ensure that he goes about making those calls tastefully. Five consecutive penalties and a pair of extended 5-on-3's is just ridiculous
• Sebastian Centomo really didn't have much in the way of difficult saves tonight, but he responded admirably when called upon. He made a great save on a Seth Leonard tip during the second period, and the right pad he flashed to rob Ross McCain in the third was arguably a game-saver. For the most part, however, his teammates were doing a good job of limiting the Scorpions to outside shots and letting Centomo see them when they came. The Scorps can't afford to put the bulk of their shots into Centomo's chest if they want to win round 2
• Two controversial goals tonight, one for each side. First was Torren Delforte's tally, which Centomo argued should not have counted because the net was rocking back and forth on the moorings. As I could best tell, the net never came completely dislodged, and the puck rolled down Centomo's back and in, so there's no chance that it snuck through the side when the net was lifted up. For Laredo's part, there's a big question mark surrounding the go-ahead goal in the second. Serge Dube was given credit for the goal, but I think everyone in attendance (even the guys in the press box at the other end of the arena) saw Dube make at least two dramatic kicking motions at the puck prior to it crossing the line. There was a huge scramble in front so I couldn't see what ultimately happened, but I am in agreement with a few other folks that, if Dube was getting credit for the goal, it should not have counted. I wouldn't have a problem with someone else stuffing the puck in, but Dube's part in the play definitely constitutes a "distinct kicking motion"
• Aside from the sweet two-man save between Kyle McNulty and Tom Maldonado, the Scorpions did next to nothing to get their fans or their team into the game. I was talking to Adam Minnick about this after the game, and we were both pretty surprised that Adam Knight didn't try to mix things up with someone after the Bucks went up 2-1. When momentum shifts that dramatically, someone needs to do something to give his team a spark, and nobody really stepped up for the Scorpions. Then again, who knows what Graber may have called...?
• Lastly, and this is petty grumbling on my part, but why isn't Goupil's goal an empty-netter on pointstreak? Again, it's just a minor issue, but that goal shouldn't be counted towards McNulty's goals against average. Hopefully they get that sorted out.