LAST WEEKThursday, November 19 vs. Mississippi CenturyTel Center W 3-1
GAME NOTES: The Mudbugs jumped out to a 2-0 lead over the RiverKings by the mid-way point of the second period thanks to goals from Mark Johnson and Travis Clayton. Mississippi outshot the 'Bugs 30-13 during the last two periods of the game, but got only Ryan Held's powerplay goal as John DeCaro finished the night with 40 saves. Neil Clark's empty net goal finished off the 3-1 win as the Mudbugs won back to back games for the first time this year.
Friday, November 20 at Mississippi DeSoto Civic Center W 3-2 (OT)
GAME NOTES: It was more of the same Friday night in the second game of a home-and-home series between the Mudbugs and RiverKings. Mississippi held a significant shot advantage throughout the night, but the shorthanded 'Bugs hung with them despite finishing the game with only seven forwards. The teams traded goals in the first and the 1-1 tie lasted into the third period before Dave Pszenyczny gave the Mudbugs the lead with a powerplay goal. Darrell Stoddard answered back for Mississippi and the game went to overtime, where Simon Mangos' shot bounced off Shawn Limpright in front of the net to give the 'Bugs a 3-2 victory.
THIS WEEK
Wednesday, November 25 at Rio Grande Valley Dodge Arena 7:35 pm
GAME NOTES: Bossier-Shreveport will continue a three-game road trip on Wednesday night in Hidalgo, Texas against the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees, who are closing out a four-game homestand. The Bees won two straight games over Texas and Odessa last weekend, while the 'Bugs will bring a three-game winning streak to town. The Mudbugs dropped three out of four decisions to Rio last season.
Friday, November 27 at Laredo Laredo Entertainment Center 7:30 pm
GAME NOTES: The Mudbugs will have payback their minds from their worst loss of the young season when they travel to Laredo on Black Friday. The Bucks came to CenturyTel Center on opening night this year and handed the 'Bugs a 6-1 loss for their first-ever regular season victory in Bossier City. This game at the LEC will be the second and final regular season meeting between the two rivals this year.
Saturday, November 28 vs. Missouri CenturyTel Center 7:05 pm
GAME NOTES: The Mudbugs will return from their longest road trip so far this year to host the Missouri Mavericks in the first-ever meeting between the two clubs on Saturday night. The expansion Mavericks come to the CTC for the first of three trips to Bossier-Shreveport this year, while the 'Bugs will play in Missouri twice. After a 0-5 start to the year, the Mavs have gone 4-3-1 in their last eight games.
WEEKLY NOTES
Wins of Change The Mudbugs are on their first winning streak of the season after sweeping a home-and-home series with conference rival Mississippi last week. Bossier-Shreveport has won three straight games after beating Rapid City in a shootout (3-2) and then topping the RiverKings 3-1 at the CTC on Thursday and 3-2 in overtime at Mississippi on Friday. The 'Bugs are above.500 for the first time this year at 7-6-0 and stand only three points out of second place in the Northern Conference.
Heart & Hustle The Mudbugs have found a way to win recently despite being forced to switch personnel in and out of the lineup with injuries piling up and new players finding their way into the mix. Over the past two weeks, forwards Justin Aikins, Neil Clark, Jeff Kyrzakos, Shawn Limpright, Brett Smith and Joe Zappala and Defenseman Dale Lupul have all missed time with various ailments, while F Tyler Liebel missed Friday's game due to a family emergency. Rookie James DeLory also left the team when he was recalled by the AHL's Rochester Americans last week. During that same span, the 'Bugs have welcomed F Tyrel Lucas back from IR and signed forwards Matt Cook and Adam Krug and D Scott Kalinchuk to help shore up the roster.
The Dynamic Duo Both Mudbugs wins over Mississippi last week were made possible by stellar goaltending from the team's two netminders. The 'Bugs were outshot 88-48 in the two contests, yet managed to surrender just three goals for a combined saves percentage of nearly 97%. John DeCaro stopped 40 shots on Thursday and gave up just one powerplay goal as Bossier-Shreveport won 3-1 at home. Ken Carroll followed that up with a season-high 45 saves Friday night as the Mudbugs topped Mississippi 3-2 in overtime.
Going Past 60:00? Call on #64 Every time a Mudbugs game has gone past regulation time this season, defenseman Simon Mangos has had the knack for making sure the game ends in a Mudbugs victory. Mangos has been involved in all three Mudbugs victories that have come in overtime or a shootout this year. Back on October 24, he scored on both of his shootout attempts to clinch the win and had two assists as the 'Bugs beat Odessa 5-4. On November 14, Mangos had an assist and scored the shootout-winner over Rapid City in a 3-2 win. Finally, #64 set up Friday's game-winner at Mississippi, sending a puck toward the goal that bounced off F Shawn Limpright and into the net to give the 'Bugs a 3-2 win.
Clutch 'Bugs The Mudbugs have performed remarkably well in close games so far this season, winning six of their seven games that have been decided by one goal. All five of Bossier-Shreveport's victories before Thursday had come by a single goal, including three games in which the team came from behind to win and two that were decided in shootouts. The Mudbugs had their overtime decision Friday night, winning 3-2 at Mississippi. The only one-goal game the 'Bugs have lost was a 2-1 defeat against Allen on 10/23. They also fell 6-4 to Texas after the Brahmas scored a late empty-net goal on 10/30.
Muscutt Passes Stewart Now in his tenth season behind the Mudbugs bench, Head Coach Scott Muscutt coached his 591st and 592nd career games last week. That total puts Muscutt ahead of former Huntsville Channel Cats and Colorado Eagles bench boss Chris Stewart for third on the CHL's All-time games coached list. Only Doug Sauter (918) and Bill McDonald (626) have coached more games in the history of the league. Muscutt is also the third-winningest Coach in CHL/WPHL history (364 victories) and ranks fourth in winning percentage (.663%) with a career record of 364-171-57.
Loose Pucks Rookie F Adam Krug has decided to leave the Mudbugs to pursue a job opportunity outside hockey... Rookie F James DeLory was recalled by the AHL's Rochester Americans last week... Last week's 3-2 overtime win at Mississippi marked the first time this year the 'Bugs have won on a Friday... Bossier-Shreveport is the only team in the CHL who has not had a shorthanded goal scored for or against in any game so far this season... The Mudbugs will play their 800th regular season game in the history of the franchise in Laredo on Friday night...
TICKET INFORMATION: Season tickets, mini-plans and group packages for the 2009-10 season of Mudbugs hockey are available at the team office: 2000 CenturyTel Center Drive, Bossier City, LA 71112. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. Individual game tickets can be purchased at the CenturyTel Center box office between 9:30 am and 4:30 pm Monday - Friday, by calling Ticketmaster at (318) 741-9700, or online at Ticketmaster.com. For more information, visit www.mudbugshockey.com or call the team office at (318) 752-2847.
MUDBUGS RADIO: Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs games, both home and away, are broadcast live on "The Home of the Legends" AM 1130 KWKH and News Radio 710 AM KEEL in Shreveport. Both stations provide free online streaming online at www.kwkhonline.com and www.710keel.com.
CHL TV: New for 2009-10 is the latest version of CHL-TV, powered by Insinc Netcasting. Fans will have the chance to watch all 480 of the CHL's regular season schedule with a $5.95 pay-per-view price. Packages are available as well that give fans the chance to order a month at a time or the entire season. All game archives are offered to catch up on the games you missed for just $3.95. Visit http://chltv.insinc.com for more information.
Season and group tickets are on sale by calling 318-752-BUGS (2847) or by visiting our website at www.mudbugshockey.com.
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