Bugs Beat the Rush, Win 5-1

December 13, 2008 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs News Release


RAPID CITY, SD - Three third period goals propelled the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs to a 5-1 victory over the Rapid City Rush on Friday night at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center. Tyrel Lucas scored twice and the Mudbugs scored three powerplay goals to earn their 13th win of the season in their first-ever meeting with the Rush.

Mark DeSantis' five-minute major penalty for kneeing in the third period was the turning point in the contest. The Mudbugs scored two times on that powerplay to break open what had been a 2-1 game after two periods. Joe Blaznek, Chris Brassard, Travis Clayton and Brett Smith all had two assists on the night.

Rapid City actually opened the scoring in this one with Jamie VanderVeeken's wrist shot from the point finding its way past Ryan Mior to make it 1-0 Rush. Just 26 seconds later though, Joe Ori picked up the rebound of a Kevin Cooper shot in front and scored his first goal of the season to tie the game at one. That's how the first period would end, with the shots tied 15-15 and the game tied 1-1.

Bossier-Shreveport took its first lead of the night on a 5-on-3 powerplay in the second period. Just seven seconds into the two-man advantage, Brett Smith's faceoff win set up Chris Brassard on the point. Brassard found Lucas open in the slot for a one-timer that beat Miguel Beaudry to make it 2-1 Mudbugs. The Bugs outshot the Rush 12-5 in the second period and held a one goal lead after 40 minutes.

The Mudbugs stopped two Rapid City powerplays early in the third period to keep the 2-1 lead before the game-changing penalty. Kevin Cooper was streaking through the neutral zone as he made a move and was about to go around DeSantis when the Rush captain knocked Cooper down with a knee-on-knee hit. DeSantis was given a five-minute kneeing major, a game misconduct and a ten-minute misconduct for abuse of officials. Cooper did not return to the game.

Less than a minute into the ensuing powerplay, Dale Lupul fired a wrist shot from the blueline that snuck inside the top corner of the net to give the Mudbugs a two-goal cushion. Then just before the end of the five-minute powerplay, Lucas broke into the offensive zone and picked the top corner over Beaudry's glove hand for his second of the night to make it 4-1 for the Mudbugs. Simon Mangos capped off the scoring with less than three minutes remaining with a highlight-reel goal. Mangos got the puck at the blueline and skated deep into the zone, weaving through multiple defenders before burying the puck top shelf for his fourth goal of the year to complete the 5-1 win.

Ryan Mior stopped 28 shots to earn his sixth win of the year, while Beaudry still made 34 saves in defeat. The Mudbugs outshot the Rush 39-29 in the game and converted 3 of 9 powerplay chances. Rapid City was 0 for 6 on the powerplay.

The same two teams will meet again tomorrow night at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center with the opening faceoff set for 8:05 Central time. The game can be heard on 710 AM KEEL with pregame coverage beginning at 7:45 pm, and will also be shown live on the CHL Network.

Season and group tickets are on sale by calling 318-752-BUGS (2847) or by visiting our website at www.mudbugshockey.com.



Central Hockey League Stories from December 13, 2008


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