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Mudbugs Weekly

October 25, 2010 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs News Release


LAST WEEK

Tuesday, October 19 vs. Tulsa CenturyTel Center W 6-4

GAME NOTES: Three unanswered goals to end the second period helped the Mudbugs to a 6-4 win over Tulsa Thursday at the CenturyTel Center. The forward line of Justin Aikins, David Rutherford and Jeff Martens accounted for four of Bossier-Shreveport's goals in their 15th consecutive win against Tulsa, led by Aikins four-point night on a goal and three assists. Rutherford scored two goals (including the game-winner) and added an assist, while Martens scored for the first time as a Mudbug and chipped in two helpers as well.

Thursday, October 21 vs. Allen CenturyTel Center L 6-4

GAME NOTES: Dustin Donaghy's third period goal broke a 4-4 tie and propelled Allen to a 6-4 victory over the Mudbugs Thursday at the CenturyTel Center. Bossier-Shreveport's first loss of the season dropped them to 3-1-0 on the year, while Allen stayed unbeaten at 3-0 heading into Friday's rematch. Steven Crampton scored twice for the Mudbugs, who also got a goal and an assist from David Rutherford and two assists from Jim Jorgensen while going 3 for 5 on the powerplay. Newly signed goaltender Archie Henderson played most of the game for the 'Bugs after Jeff Harvey left the game with an injury.

Friday, October 22 vs. Allen CenturyTel Center L 5-3

GAME NOTES: Judd Blackwater scored a powerplay goal with only 1:24 left in regulation as Allen knocked off the Mudbugs 5-3 Friday at the CenturyTel Center. A late empty-net goal then sealed Allen's second win over the Mudbugs in as many nights. Jeff Martens scored a pair of goals for Bossier-Shreveport, with Jeff Kyrzakos notching the other. In his first Mudbugs start since 2006, goaltender David Cacciola came out of retirement to make 20 saves as the 'Bugs fell to 3-2.

Saturday, October 23 at Texas NyTex Sports Centre W 4-2

GAME NOTES: Rookie goaltender Brian Foster made 29 saves in his professional debut to help the Mudbugs earn a 4-2 victory over Texas Saturday at the NyTex Sports Centre. The win snapped a two-game losing streak at the end of a three-in-three weekend for the Mudbugs, who are now 4-2-0 this season. Travis Clayton and Shawn Limpright each had a goal and an assist, with Brett Smith and David Rutherford tallying the other two Bossier-Shreveport goals. The 'Bugs held Texas off the scoreboard in seven powerplay chances while going 1 for 6 on their own man-advantage in the win.

THIS WEEK

Tuesday, October 26 at Allen Allen Events Center 7:30 pm

GAME NOTES: The Mudbugs travel to Allen to battle the unbeaten Americans for the third time in a six-day span on Tuesday, making their first appearance of the year at the AEC. Allen swept a set of back-to-back games at the CenturyTel Center last week, winning both by one goal plus an empty netter. The 'Bugs are 1-5-1 all-time against the Americans.

Thursday, October 28 vs. Rio Grande Valley CenturyTel Center 6:35 pm

GAME NOTES: The Mudbugs will celebrate 10 years at the CenturyTel Center and honor goaltender Ken Carroll as they face the Killer Bees for the first time this season on Thursday. Four of the six meetings between the teams will take place here in Bossier City this season. Rio Grande Valley (2-1-1) won last year's season series three games to two.

Saturday, October 30 at Missouri Independence Events Center 7:05 pm

GAME NOTES: The 'Bugs will have Friday off before traveling to the greater Kansas City area to face the Missouri Mavericks (2-1-1) for the first of three times this season. Last year Bossier-Shreveport won the last two meetings of the season with the expansion Mavs to win the five-game season series 3-1-1. The Mudbugs will also visit Missouri in February, with Missouri making its only trip to the CTC next month.

WEEKLY NOTES

Busy 'Bugs Win Four of Six

Despite opening the season with one of the most grueling stretches they will face all year, the Mudbugs have fared pretty well so far this season. Saturday's game at Texas finished a run of six games in the first nine days of 2010-11, four of which were Bossier-Shreveport victories. Allen is the only other team in the CHL to have played more than four games already this season. A look at the calendar including three more games this week shows the Mudbugs competing in nine games over the first 16 days of the season, during which the 'Bugs never have more than two consecutive days without a game.

Revolving Door Between the Pipes

In the four games they played last week, the Mudbugs used four different goaltenders. Including emergency backups, the club has also dressed six total goalies so far this year after only six games. Jeff Harvey started the 'Bugs first four games of the year before leaving in the first period of Thursday's contest with an injury and being replaced by Archie Henderson. David Cacciola came out of retirement to start Friday's game, and then Brian Foster returned from his call-up with Rochester of the AHL in time to help the 'Bugs beat Texas on Saturday. Dating back to last year's playoffs, ten different goaltenders have dressed for the Mudbugs in their last 16 games. John DeCaro, Ken Carroll, Parker Van Buskirk and Torrie Jung all played for the 'Bugs in the postseason, while Brad Dennis and Dave Barry have both served as emergency backups behind the four goalies who have already seen the ice this year for Bossier-Shreveport.

Points All Around

Of the 18 skaters who have played for the Mudbugs so far this year, only two have yet to record a point. A team scoring average of nearly five goals-per-game and a powerplay clicking at over 28 percent so far this season will certainly help dole out the offense. Eight Bossier-Shreveport skaters are averaging at least one point-per-game so far this season, while four more have multiple points in the first six games of the year. Even goaltender Jeff Harvey is on the scoresheet this season with a shorthanded assist from the season opener.

The R-A-M Line is Born

The forward line of David Rutherford, Justin Aikins and Jeff Martens has accounted for nine of Bossier-Shreveport's 18 goals in the past four games. Aikins is the only player on the team to record at least one point in every game this year and is tied with Brett Smith for the CHL scoring lead with 11 points (4g, 7a). Martens has moved into third place on the team in scoring with seven points in his last four games, including his first two-goal game as a Mudbug Friday vs. Allen. After missing the season opener, Rutherford has collected points in every game he has played this year to rank fourth on the club with eight points (4g, 4a).

Muscutt Closing on Milestone

With four wins already this season, Mudbugs 11th year Head Coach Scott Muscutt is now just one victory away from 400 in his coaching career. Muscutt, who is currently the longest tenured bench boss in the CHL, has coached the 'Bugs to a 399-189-61 record since taking over the coaching reins from Jean LaForest in 2000. Since that time, the Appin, Ontario native has led Bossier-Shreveport to a President's Cup title, two Northern Conference Championships and two Governors' Cups. Doug Sauter, who won 544 career games with Oklahoma City, is the only coach in CHL history with more wins than Muscutt.

A Familiar Face Returns

With Jeff Harvey and John DeCaro injured and Brian Foster on recall with the AHL's Rochester Americans, the Mudbugs reached into their past for help between the pipes Friday vs. Allen. Making his first pro start since 2009 was former Mudbugs netminder David Cacciola, who came out of retirement to help out his old club. Cacciola turned aside 20 of 24 Allen shots to keep the 'Bugs in the game, although the Americans came away with a 5-3 win. Cacciola starred for the 'Bugs in his rookie season of 2005-06, going 18-5-4 with a 2.54 goals-against average and a .926 saves percentage while splitting time with Ken Carroll. However, he's probably best remembered in Bossier-Shreveport for his stellar play in the 2006 CHL playoffs, when he went 8-3-0 with a glistening 1.76 GAA and .951 SV% as the Mudbugs upset the defending Champion Colorado Eagles on their way t o the President's Cup Finals.

Loose Pucks

D Simon Mangos made his season debut Thursday vs. Allen after returning from a personal leave of absence... CHL Player of the Week Brett Smith scored a goal Saturday to maintain his CHL scoring lead with 11 points (6g, 5a) this year... The 'Bugs are two home wins away from 300 home victories in franchise history... D Clay Plume is out of the Mudbugs lineup on a leave of absence... G John DeCaro, F Shane Hart, F Tyrel Lucas and D Kevin Seibel are all currently on injured reserve... G Archie Henderson was waived when Brian Foster returned from his AHL call-up on Saturday...

TICKET INFORMATION: Season tickets, mini-plans and group ticket packages for the 2010-11 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: Back for 2010-11 is the latest version of CHL-TV, powered by NeuLion, Inc. Fans will have the chance to watch nearly 600 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 only their team's away games, an all-access league pass or many other options. All game archives are offered to catch up on the games you missed for just $4.00. Visit http://chltv.neulion.com/chltv/ for more information.

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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.

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