Bugs Fall in Laredo But Clinch Playoff Berth
March 9, 2008 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs News Release
LAREDO, TX - Jeff Bes scored the game-winning goal and added three assists to reach the 100-point mark on the season as the Laredo Bucks handed the Mudbugs their third consecutive loss, 4-2 on Saturday night at the Laredo Entertainment Center. Despite the loss, Bossier-Shreveport did officially clinch a playoff spot thanks to shootout losses by both Texas and Youngstown on Saturday.
Tyrel Lucas and Elias Godoy had the goals for the Mudbugs, who still need two more points to lock up their fifth consecutive Northeast Division title. The 'Bugs have now lost four of their past five games and watched their lead over Laredo for first overall in the CHL shrink to just four points. Bossier-Shreveport does still have two games in hand on the Bucks, however.
Ken Carroll had to be alert early in this one as Laredo created scoring chances that Carroll was forced to stop in the first few minutes. The tide then turned in favor of Bossier-Shreveport in the period though, and the Bugs would eventually score the game's first goal. Lucas beat Dustin Traylen to the top shelf after a nice feed from Daniel Pegoraro at 6:33 for his 21st goal of the season and a 1-0 Mudbugs lead. The Bucks tied it up later in the period on Steve Weidlich's powerplay goal that made it a 1-1 game after one despite an 18-10 shot advantage for Bossier-Shreveport.
Both teams settled into the contest in the second period, with quality scoring chances coming few and far between. The Mudbugs outshot the Bucks 13-7 in the middle frame and had three powerplays but couldn't get the puck past Traylen and the score stayed 1-1 after forty minutes.
The intensity picked up as the third period began and Laredo took its first lead of the game courtesy of James Hiebert. After the Bucks chipped the puck out of their own zone, Bes gave a nice touch pass to Hiebert, sending him on a breakaway. Hiebert scored his 25th through Carroll's five-hole to put Laredo on top 2-1. Bossier-Shreveport would then respond just 37 seconds later to knot the game at two. Justin Aikins found Kevin Cooper streaking into the Laredo zone and Cooper drove toward the net before finding Godoy on the back-door. Godoy finished his 18th goal of the year and the game was tied once again. Midway through the period, a Mudbugs powerplay chance would bring about the Bucks' go-ahead goal. As Bes tried to chase down a loose puck in the Bossier-Shreveport zone that could have given him a breakaway chance, Carroll charged out of the net trying to beat him to the puck. Bes won the footrace and lifted a high floater that found its way into the net before Ryan Fairbarn could get back to keep it out. The goal was Bes' 43rd of the season and put Laredo on top to stay. The Mudbugs came close to tying the game with the extra attacker on before Bes assisted on Andrew Desjardins' empty net goal for his fourth point of the game and 100th of the season.
The Bugs finished the loss with a 38-29 shot advantage, but missed on all of their eight powerplay chances. Laredo converted 1 of 6 man-advantages in the contest.
The Mudbugs will now try to break the slump on Tuesday in their last game against a team from the Southern Conference. Bossier-Shreveport will take on the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees in a Kid's Day game at the Dodge Arena at 10:30 am on Tuesday before heading home for four of their final six games at the CenturyTel Center . The puck will drop between the Mudbugs and Killer Bees at 10:30 in the morning Tuesday at the Dodge Arena and pregame coverage will begin at 10:10 on 1130 AM KWKH. That game can also be seen on the CHL Network.
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Central Hockey League Stories from March 9, 2008
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- Beech Blanks Thunder 6-0 In Hounds Final Road Game - Youngstown SteelHounds
- Penalty Shot Stuns The Ice Bats, 3-2 - Austin Ice Bats
- Bugs Fall in Laredo But Clinch Playoff Berth - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
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