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'Bugs Finish Weekend Sweep of Mississippi

December 12, 2009 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs News Release


SOUTHAVEN, MS - The Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs moved into fourth place in the Northern Conference standings and finished a two-game weekend sweep of the rival Mississippi RiverKings with a 3-1 victory Saturday night at the DeSoto Civic Center. The Mudbugs (12-10-0) have now won five of six meetings against the RiverKings this season.

The ‘Bugs broke the game wide open with three goals in the second period and Ken Carroll was just 1:57 away from his second shutout of the season when Mississippi scored its only goal of the night. Team Captain Brett Smith scored his 13th career shorthanded goal in the game, breaking the all-time franchise record for career shorthanded tallies.

Neither team could muster much offense in a tight-checking first period, which saw Mississippi outshoot Bossier-Shreveport 8-7 and both teams miss on one powerplay chance. The highlight of the period was a fight between Kirk Medernach and David Simoes, who squared off at center ice for the second consecutive night.

The Mudbugs exploded for three goals in the second period to take control of the game. Joe Blaznek got it started with his team-leading tenth goal of the season, beating Ray Jean with a shot to the far post after Tyrel Lucas stole a puck in the offensive zone.

With Mississippi on a powerplay later on in the second, Brett Smith won a race to a loose puck and went on a shorthanded breakaway. Smith avoided a diving Louis Dumont and slipped the puck into Jean's five-hole to put the ‘Bugs up 2-0. Then with just 2.8 seconds remaining in the period, Tyler Liebel finished off a quick 2-on-1 break with a perfectly placed shot over Jean's left shoulder to give the visitors a commanding 3-0 advantage after 40 minutes.

The ‘Bugs were outshot 18-4 in the third period, but protected the lead nicely and held the shutout through 58 minutes. After pulling their goaltender for an extra attacker with almost four minutes left, the RiverKings finally got on the board on a goal from Steve Makway with just 1:57 remaining. The ‘Bugs were able to hold on in the final moments to get their fourth straight win over Mississippi.

Ken Carroll stopped 34 shots in his fifth win of the season, improving his record to 5-4-0. Ray Jean made 21 saves and dropped to 8-8-1. The RiverKings outshot the Mudbugs 35-24 in the contest. Neither team scored on the powerplay in the game, with the ‘Bugs missing on six chances and the ‘Kings finishing 0 for 4.

The ‘Bugs will now have five days off leading up to a set of three games in three days next weekend. Bossier-Shreveport travels to Wichita to take on the Thunder at the Kansas Coliseum on Friday and Saturday before returning home to host Tulsa in their last game before Christmas on Sunday, December 20.

Opening faceoff for that Sunday afternoon game at CenturyTel Center is set for 4:05 pm. Group ticket packages and mini-plans are available through the Mudbugs office at 752-BUGS and individual tickets are on sale through Ticketmaster at 741-9700.

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