Brahmas Again Hold off Comeback, Lead 3-0
Published on April 5, 2008 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs News Release
NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TX - The Texas Brahmas put the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs on the brink of elimination with a 3-2 victory in Game 3 of the Northern Conference Semifinals that gave them a commanding 3-0 series lead. David Cacciola's 39 saves and two goals from Anders Strome led Texas to within one win of facing the Colorado Eagles in the Northern Conference Finals.
Joe Ori scored a shorthanded goal and had an assist to help bring the Mudbugs back from a 2-0 deficit, but the Bugs never could get the score tied while going 0 for 10 on the powerplay.
Bossier-Shreveport looked good in the opening period, outshooting Texas 14-6 and battling hard. It was the Brahmas though, who would score first. Anders Strome got a puck past Ken Carroll from the high slot to draw first blood for Texas at 4:49. That's how the first period would end, with Texas on top after one for the third straight game in this series.
The Mudbugs played a solid second period as well but still couldn't solve Cacciola, who made 16 more stops in the frame. With only about two minutes remaining, the Brahmas then ran their lead to 2-0 on Strome's second goal. Blair Manning sent Strome into the Mudbugs' zone on a powerplay breakaway to give Texas a two-goal lead after forty minutes.
Bossier-Shreveport finally got on the board in the third period at an unlikely time. Joe Ori and Daniel Pegoraro connected on Ori's nice shorthanded goal that cut the lead in half at the eight minute mark of the third. Texas countered with another powerplay tally though, as Grant Jacobsen tipped Jordan Cameron's shot over Carroll's shoulder to give the Brahmas the two-goal lead once again. The Bugs still weren't done though, getting back within a goal again as Tyrel Lucas scored for the third straight game in the series. Lucas fought off a Texas defender at the side of the net long enough to get around Cacciola and tuck the puck past him to put the score at 3-2. A late, empty-net rally from the Mudbugs couldn't tie the score though, and the Brahmas took a strangle hold on the series.
Bossier-Shreveport finished with a 41-21 shot advantage in the game, but also missed on ten powerplay opportunities. Texas meanwhile, scored twice on its ten powerplays.
Now the Mudbugs will attempt to start a rally and become the first CHL team ever to overcome a 0-3 deficit to win a playoff series. Game 4 in the series is Saturday night at the NyTex Sports Centre. If the Bugs can win and keep their season alive, Game 5 will be at 5:05 on Sunday evening back at CenturyTel Center . Opening faceoff for Game 4 is set for 7:05 pm on Saturday night, with pregame coverage beginning at 6:45 on 1130 AM KWKH. The game will also be shown live on the CHL Network online.
Central Hockey League Stories from April 5, 2008
- New Mexico Falls In Game Five - New Mexico Scorpions
- Arizona Takes 3-2 Lead as Series Shifts Back to Arizona - Arizona Sundogs
- Sweet sweep- Brahmas beat 'Bugs 5-3 - Fort Worth Brahmas
- Mudbugs Bow Out of Playoffs in Texas - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
- Scorpions Even Up Series With Win - New Mexico Scorpions
- Third's A Charm, Brahmas Beat 'bugs 3-2 In Game Three - Fort Worth Brahmas
- Brahmas Again Hold off Comeback, Lead 3-0 - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
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.
