Mudbugs Weekly
Published on April 27, 2010 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs News Release
LAST WEEK
Northern Conference Finals: #1 Rapid City vs. #3 Bossier-Shreveport
Game 6: Tuesday, April 20 Rushmore Plaza Civic Center W 2-0
SERIES NOTES: Parker Van Buskirk's first professional shutout helped the Mudbugs to a 2-0 victory over Rapid City in Game 6 of the Northern Conference Finals Tuesday at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center. The win tied the best-of-seven series at three for Bossier-Shreveport, forcing a deciding Game 7. Van Buskirk stopped all 27 shots he saw to improve to 3-2 and earn his first pro shutout, regular season or playoffs. Tyrel Lucas and Brett Smith both scored on odd-man rushes in the second period and the 'Bugs killed off all six Rapid City powerplays on their way to the win.
Game 7: Wednesday, April 21 Rushmore Plaza Civic Center L 7-3
SERIES NOTES: The Rapid City Rush scored four first-period goals on their way to a 7-3 win over the Mudbugs in Game 7 of the Northern Conference Finals Wednesday at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center. The loss ended Bossier-Shreveport's season just one win shy of their sixth President's Cup Finals appearance. Rapid City, meanwhile, goes on to represent the Northern Conference in the CHL's Championship series against the Allen Americans. The Rush scored three times in the first eight minutes and never looked back after building the early lead. The 'Bugs tried to battle back with goals from Simon Mangos, Travis Clayton and Tyrel Lucas, but couldn't make up for the early deficit and fell to 0-4 all-time in Game 7's.
THIS WEEK
Tuesday, April 27 Fan Appreciation Night/Season Send-Off 6:30 pm
Shreveport Elks Lodge (310 E. Preston Ave.)
SERIES NOTES: Before we officially say goodbye to the 2009-2010 season, the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs would like to take one last opportunity to thank all our fans and supporters with our 2010 Fan Appreciation Night/Season Send-Off! The event is set for Tuesday evening from 6:30 to 8:30 at the Elks Club & Lodge No. 122 at 310 E. Preston Avenue in Shreveport. All fans are invited to join us as we celebrate the 13th season of Mudbugs hockey. Head Coach Scott Muscutt and Owners Tommy & Leslie Scott will speak at the event as we recap the accomplishments of the season and salute the fans who continue to make Bossier-Shreveport one of the best home cities in the CHL. Mudbugs players will be in attendance to sign autographs and visit with fans one last time before they depart for the summer.
WEEKLY NOTES
Six Months Decided by One Night Unfortunately for the Mudbugs, their entire 2009-2010 season came down to one night's work - and it wasn't one of their better nights. After shutting out Rapid City in Game 6 of the Northern Conference Finals to tie the series the night before, the 'Bugs struggled to get going in Game 7. The Rush scored four times in the first eight minutes of the contest and built a 6-1 lead at the halfway point in an eventual 7-3 victory. It was the first time this season that Bossier-Shreveport surrendered seven goals in a game, and the only time they trailed by five goals at any point since losing to Laredo 6-1 on opening night.
Riding the Roller Coaster Momentum was fickle in this year's Northern Conference Finals, with neither team ever managing to win back-to-back games in the seven-game series. In fact, the Mudbugs and Rush have alternated wins and losses in all of their last ten meetings including regular season and playoff competition. Neither Bossier-Shreveport nor Rapid City has ever won two straight games in the head to head series in the same season.
So Much for Seventh Heaven Despite all the success over their 13 years and 27 all-time playoff series, the Mudbugs have still never won a playoff Game 7. This year's defeat in the deciding game of the Northern Conference Finals dropped Bossier-Shreveport to 0-4 all-time in seventh games. Three of those four losses have come after the 'Bugs rallied from a 3-2 series deficit to force a Game 7. The loss kept the Mudbugs from becoming the first team since the 2001 CHL/WPHL merger to overcome a 3-2 series deficit with back-to-back road wins. The 2000 Indianapolis Ice was the last team to accomplish that feat, beating Columbus in the Ray Miron Cup Finals.
Mudbugs All-time Game 7 History:
Year Opponent Game 7 Score Round
2002 Memphis RiverKings 4-2 Northern Conference Finals
2004 Laredo Bucks 3-2 (OT) President's Cup Finals
2005 Wichita Thunder 2-1 (OT) Northern Conference Semifinals
2010 Rapid City Rush 7-3 Northern Conference Finals
PVB Does His Part
In a span of just two weeks from the time he first stepped on the ice as a Mudbug, Goaltender Parker Van Buskirk became one of the top goaltenders in the CHL playoffs. In six starts in the postseason, Van Buskirk posted a 3-3 record and ranked among the top six CHL playoff netminders with a 2.79 goals-against average and a .914 saves percentage. The 22-year-old Windsor, Ontario native earned his first professional shutout in Game 6 of the Northern Conference Finals; stopping all 27 shots he faced to help the 'Bugs force a Game 7. Van Buskirk signed as the Mudbugs' emergency goalie when John DeCaro was lost for the playoffs with a long-term injury in the Colorado series and made his first start in Game 2 against Rapid City after Ken Carroll was injured in Game 1.
Spreading the Wealth
The Mudbugs finished with a four-way tie for the team lead in playoff scoring in 2010, as Travis Clayton, Shawn Limpright, Tyrel Lucas and Joe Blaznek all totaled ten points. 11 different Mudbugs finished with at least six points and 14 of the team's 18 skaters scored at least one goal. Travis Clayton led the team with five playoff goals, while Blaznek paced the club with eight assists. Enforcer James DeLory is the only Mudbugs skater who did not record a point in the playoffs.
Going Both Ways
After helping Bossier-Shreveport finish with the fewest goals against in the CHL this season, the 'Bugs defensive corps made big contributions offensively in the playoffs. 11 of the 37 goals scored by the Mudbugs in the playoffs came from defensemen, accounting for nearly one-third of the team's offensive production. Jamie Milam scored twice in Game 4 to tie Dave Pszenyczny for the team lead among D-men with three playoff goals, while Simon Mangos and Clay Plume each chipped in two. Chris St. Croix tied for fifth on the team in playoff scoring with eight points (1g, 7a).
Special Teams Success
The Mudbugs' special teams units were exceptional in the playoffs, starting with their production on the man-advantage. The 'Bugs converted 15 of 55 powerplay opportunities for a success rate of over 27% in the playoffs. The club scored multiple powerplay goals in six of 11 postseason games and did it in five straight contests at one point. At the other end of the ice, the 'Bugs shut down Rapid City's powerplay in the Northern Conference Finals, killing off 30 of 32 Rush powerplays over seven games. Rapid City scored only a 5-on-3 goal Game 2 and during a five-minute major in Game 7.
Welcome to the Pros
Amateur forward Adam Basford looked right at home in his first professional game in Game 6, assisting on the eventual game-winning goal and finishing +1 in his Mudbugs debut. Playing on a line with Justin Aikins and Tyrel Lucas, Basford played a smart, simple game and got his first pro point. During a 2-on-1 break in the second period, Basford got a pass from Lucas before calmly giving the puck right back to #9, who buried his second goal of the playoffs to give the Mudbugs a 1-0 lead. The 21-year-old Richmond, BC native also played in Game 7 against the Rush.
Loose Pucks
The 'Bugs played without F Shawn Limpright in Games 6 and 7... Amateur G Torrie Jung saw his first professional action when he replaced Parker Van Buskirk in goal halfway through Game 7, stopping seven of eight shots he faced in 30 minutes... F Travis Clayton has 21 points (12g, 9a) in 18 playoff games as a Mudbug... F Joe Blaznek has 14 assists in 18 playoff games with the 'Bugs... F Joe Ori has 20 points (7g, 14a) in his last 22 playoff games dating back to 2008... F Brett Smith has 13 points (7g, 6a) in his last 15 playoff games... the Mudbugs were been outshot by their opponent in eight of 11 playoff games...
TICKET INFORMATION:
Mini-plans and group ticket 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 games on the CHL's regular season schedule for a small 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.
Central Hockey League Stories from April 27, 2010
- Oilers Raise H.O.P.E. - Tulsa Oilers
- Mudbugs Weekly - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
- Bucks Community Update - Laredo Bucks
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
