Brahmas Take Game 1 at CenturyTel
Published on March 30, 2008 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs News Release
BOSSIER CITY, LA - Two first period goals gave the Texas Brahmas a lead they wouldn't relinquish as they went on to a 3-1 win over the Mudbugs to take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven Northern Conference Semifinal series. David Cacciola made 37 saves in the contest as Texas held the Mudbugs scoreless on five powerplay chances, including four of them in the second period alone. An odd goal that deflected in off the skate of an unknowing Anders Strome sealed the Brahmas' Game 1 victory.
Texas got on the board early in the first when Scott Sheppard found himself all alone in front of John DeCaro and scored his fourth goal of the playoffs to make it 1-0 Brahmas just three minutes in. Bossier-Shreveport righted the ship as the period moved along, generating a few great scoring chances on Cacciola, who finished the first period with 13 saves. Texas then took a two-goal advantage on a powerplay goal with just 1:30 remaining in the period. Blair Manning fed a centering pass to Anders Strome, who beat DeCaro for his third of the playoffs and give the Brahmas a 2-0 lead after one.
The Brahmas' penalty killers were the difference in the second, keeping the Bugs off the scoreboard on all four of their powerplay chances. Bossier-Shreveport tightened up in the defensive end and held Texas to just nine second period shots, but never could get on the board. Four times the Bugs saw powerplay chances slip away without converting, and the second period ended like the first, 2-0 for the road team.
Bossier-Shreveport showed some renewed vigor in the third period, drawing back within one on a Tyrel Lucas goal. After Joe Ori created a neutral zone turnover, Daniel Pegoraro had an odd-man rush with Lucas on his left. Lucas beat Cacciola to the stick side after getting a pass from Pegoraro to make it 2-1 halfway through the third. Then with the Mudbugs buzzing to try and get the game-tying goal, Texas got a lucky bounce to pull back on top by two. Chris Thompson brought the puck into the Mudbugs zone and sent it towards the net, where it bounced off the Bugs' defenseman and then Anders Strome in front before trickling through DeCaro's legs to give the Brahmas the final 3-1 margin of victory.
The Mudbugs outshot the Brahmas 14-6 in the third period and 38-30 for the game. Bossier-Shreveport finished 0 for 5 on the powerplay, while Texas was 1 for 4.
The Brahmas now have a 1-0 lead in the Northern Conference Semifinal Series. The Mudbugs are 3-5 All-time when losing Game 1 of a best-of-seven series. Game 2 is set for 7:05 Monday night at the CenturyTel Center before it shifts to the NyTex Sports Centre for Games 3 and 4. Individual tickets for game two are currently available through Ticketmaster at 318-741-9700 and group seats are on sale through the Mudbugs office at 318-752-BUGS.
Central Hockey League Stories from March 30, 2008
- Brahmas Take Game 1 at CenturyTel - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
- Brahmas win big - beat 'Bugs 3-1 - Fort Worth Brahmas
- Bucks Look For 2-0 Series Lead Monday Night - Laredo Bucks
- Scorpions Tie Series With Win - New Mexico Scorpions
- Sundogs Fall to Scorpions, Series Tied at 1-1 - Arizona Sundogs
- Laplante Leads Eagles to 2-0 Series Lead - Colorado Eagles
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.
