All Even: \'Bugs Top Eagles in Game 2

May 14, 2011 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs News Release


LOVELAND, CO - Five different players scored goals for the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs in a 5-3 victory over the Colorado Eagles in Game 2 of the Ray Miron President's Cup Finals Saturday night at the Budweiser Events Center. The Mudbugs have now tied the best-of-seven series at one game apiece as the teams travel to Bossier City for the next three games, starting with Game 3 Tuesday night at the CenturyTel Center.

The forward line of Brett Smith, Steven Crampton and Andy Contois accounted for three of Bossier-Shreveport's five goals in the contest, led by three assists for Contois. Smith, Crampton and Simon Mangos each finished with a goal and an assist as well. John DeCaro put on a solid performance with 33 saves as the ‘Bugs were outshot 36-19, and Jeff Kryzakos tied the Mudbugs' single-season playoff record with his tenth goal of the postseason.

It didn't take long for the action to start in Game 2 as Brett Smith skated into the Colorado zone and beat Kyle Jones with a top-shelf slapshot from the left circle to put the ‘Bugs on top only 30 seconds in. The Eagles answered exactly three minutes later however, as Adam Chorneyko knocked a centering feed past John DeCaro to tie the game at one.

Colorado built a heavy shot advantage as the period continued, but DeCaro looked poised with 13 saves in the first 20 minutes. The ‘Bugs missed on 1:26 of 5-on-3 powerplay time late in the period as the score stayed tied at one.

The Mudbugs re-took the lead midway through the second on a great offensive shift as Steven Crampton fed the puck into the high slot for Mangos, who put a wrister just inside the far post to make it 2-1 for the visitors. Riley Nelson tied the score again for the Eagles three minutes later, backhanding a loose puck past DeCaro at 13:58. Then with just over three minutes remaining in the second, Justin Aikins and David Rutherford sprung through the neutral zone on a 2-on-1 break. Aikins faked the pass before sneaking a perfect shot past Jones to put Bossier-Shreveport back on top at 3-2 after two.

The lead became 4-2 six minutes into the third when Shawn Limpright and Travis Clayton teamed up to find Jeff Kyrzakos, who sent a shot through traffic and past Jones from the top of the circle. The Mudbugs kept coming on a beautiful passing play as Brett Smith sent a cross-ice pass to Andy Contois, who then centered the puck to Steven Crampton for a tap-in goal and a three-goal Bossier-Shreveport lead.

Colorado made it 5-3 on Chorneyko's second goal of the night at 14:05, but the Eagles were not able to score again despite a late powerplay chance and a 6-on-4 opportunity with the net empty in the final minute. Bossier-Shreveport held the Eagles without a powerplay goal yet in the series with three successful penalty kills, but also finished 0 for 5 on its own powerplay.

John DeCaro (10-3) earned his league-leading 10th victory of the playoffs with 33 stops, his second-highest save total of the postseason. Kyle Jones (4-4) dropped back to .500 after making 14 saves in the game.

With the President's Cup Finals now tied at one game apiece, the series will shift to the CenturyTel Center for the next three games, starting with Game 3 on Tuesday night. Game 4 will then be on Thursday, with Game 5 following on Friday.

Opening faceoff for all three games is set for 7:05 pm at the CenturyTel Center. Mudbugs group ticket packages can be purchased by phone at 318-752-BUGS or in person at the team office inside the CenturyTel Center.

Single game playoff tickets are also available at the CenturyTel Center box office, through Ticketmaster at 318-741-9700 or online at www.ticketmaster.com. For all the latest team news and information, visit www.mudbugshockey.com.



Central Hockey League Stories from May 14, 2011


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