While they aren’t yet facing elimination, neither the Wichita Thunder nor the Amarillo Gorillas can feel good about the 0-2 series hole they find themselves in after each team dropped a pair of contests in Colorado and Laredo to begin the Central Hockey League’s 04/05 Conference Finals. Knowing they will ultimately need to win at least one game on enemy ice to advance to the Ray Miron President’s Cup Finals, taking care of business at their own home games is crucial, beginning Wednesday with Game 3’s at the Kansas Coliseum and Amarillo Civic Center. Victory in Game 3 would close either series to 2 games to 1, while a loss would put either club in an 0-3 deathgrip that no team in past CHL/WPHL team has ever recovered from. Only once (Oklahoma City against Wichita in the 97-98 CHL Semi-Finals) has a team trailing 3 games to 0 even managed to force a decisive seventh game.

Live Playoff Scoreboard
Playoff Bracket & Schedule
Game 3 Live Video, Laredo @ Amarillo Live on CHLTV.com
Game 3 Audio, Colorado Eagles Broadcast
Game 3 Audio, Wichita Thunder Broadcast
Game 3 Audio, Laredo Bucks Broadcast
Game 3 Audio, Amarillo Gorillas Broadcast


Northern Conference Finals
Colorado Leads Best of Seven Game Series 2-0
Of utmost concern to Coach Derek Laxdal and the Thunder is the lack of quality scoring chances generated in Game 2, firing just 15 shots on the Colorado net. Forward snipers Travis Clayton, Jason Duda and Joe Blaznek, as well as CHL Most Outstanding Defenseman Paul Esdale, have the ability dominate on any given night, as they did in Game 2 and 4 wins over Bossier-Shreveport the prior round. The group has accounted for all but six of Wichita’s 20 post-season goals, and Colorado has held the quartet to just four assists in the first two games of the series. Conversely, they also need to find an answer for CHL Most Valuable Player Greg Pankewicz, who scored twice in both Games 1 and 2, and has managed 13 total shots. Both teams have had 16 power play chances, with Colorado converting on three occasions and Wichita once. On home ice, the Thunder were a more than capable 21-6-3 at the Kansas Coliseum, and have won two of three home games in the playoffs. Colorado, meanwhile, had the CHL’s best road regular season record (also 21-6-3) and has won twice in three playoff outings away from home.


Southern Conference Finals
Laredo Leads Best of Seven Game Series 2-0
After struggling to just 11 goals in their seven game opening series with San Angelo, the Bucks have already equaled that total through the first two games in the Southern Conference Finals. Amarillo, while well-rested entering the series, has looked rusty, particularly in the series opener, falling behind 6-0. They came through with a better effort in Game 2, but could only muster eight shots on Laredo starter Jeremy Symington through the first two periods of play. The Gorillas showed their frustration late in Game 2, taking part in three fighting majors, and will hope to carry that intensity into Game 3 Wednesday, forced to win at least two of the next three games at home to force the series back to Laredo. Amarillo finished the regular season 18-7-5 at home, while Laredo was three games under .500 (13-16-1) away from the Laredo Entertainment Center. Games 3,4 and 5 (if necessary) are available live on CHLTV.com.