Blaznek's OT Goal Completes Game 1 Rally

March 26, 2010 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs News Release


LOVELAND, CO - Joe Blaznek scored just 42 seconds into overtime to complete a furious rally and lift the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs to a 4-3 victory over the Colorado Eagles in Game 1 of the Northern Conference Semifinals Friday night at the Budweiser Events Center. The Mudbugs now hold a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series after winning a Game 1 for the first time in their last eight playoff series.

Bossier-Shreveport trailed 3-0 entering the third period, but scored three times in a span of just three minutes to tie it up and force the overtime session. Blaznek then ended the game in the first minute of the extra session to give the ‘Bugs a 1-0 series lead for the first time since their opening series in the 2006 playoffs.

The Mudbugs got off to a great start in the opening period, outshooting the Eagles 14-6 and generating a few good scoring chances. Colorado did take a 1-0 lead into the locker room though as Jim Jackson's long shot from the wing bounced off John DeCaro's arm and then off the post before finding the net at 2:14 of the first.

The second period brought more of the same with Bossier-Shreveport skating to a 12-9 shot advantage but still unable to solve Andrew Penner. The Eagles scored twice more in the second, going up 2-0 when DeCaro stopped Riley Nelson's shot from the left circle only to see the rebound bounce off a skate and into the net at 5:34. Later in the period Ed McGrane broke down the left wing and fired a shot into the top corner to extend the lead to 3-0 for Colorado after 40 minutes.

The ‘Bugs then stormed back in the third starting when Adam Hogg was whistled on a four-minute double minor for high sticking. Shawn Limpright started the scoring at 8:10, redirecting a Jeff Kyrzakos shot past Penner to get the Mudbugs on the board. On the second half of the double-minor, Tyrel Lucas got a pass from Chris St. Croix and beat Penner from the bottom of the circle to make it 3-2.

With Colorado on the powerplay just over a minute later, Brett Smith created a shorthanded 2-on-1 break and found Dave Pszenyczny, who buried the game-tying goal at 11:11. DeCaro made a number of big saves in the third to preserve the tie and force overtime.

In the first minute of OT, Colorado turned the puck over in their own zone and Blaznek jumped on it, roofing a hard wrister top-corner over Penner's glove to give Bossier-Shreveport the 4-3 win.

John DeCaro stopped 20 shots in the game as the Mudbugs outshot the Eagles 37-23. Andrew Penner made 33 saves in his first-ever loss to the ‘Bugs. Bossier-Shreveport converted 2 of 7 powerplay opportunities, while Colorado finished 1 for 4.

The ‘Bugs will now look to take a 2-0 series lead tomorrow night in Game 2 at the Budweiser Events Center. Opening faceoff is once again set for 8:05 pm Central Time with radio coverage starting at 7:45 on AM 1130 KWKH. The game will also be shown live online on CHL TV.



Central Hockey League Stories from March 26, 2010


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