'Bugs Hold Off IceRays In 5-4 Win
March 14, 2010 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs News Release
BOSSIER CITY, LA - The Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs held off a Corpus Christi rally to defeat the IceRays 5-4 and earn their 35th victory of the season Sunday afternoon at the CenturyTel Center. With the win, the Mudbugs move to within one point of clinching the third seed in the Northern Conference playoffs.
Brett Smith and Joe Blaznek each scored shorthanded goals and added assists in the game as the 'Bugs built a 3-0 lead before Corpus Christi started its comeback. Tyrel Lucas added two assists to help Bossier-Shreveport to its fifth win in six games against the IceRays this season.
The Mudbugs lead 2-0 after one period thanks to two goals from the same line. Justin Aikins started it off for Bossier-Shreveport with a powerplay goal, cutting in from the boards and beating Kevin Beech top corner on the stick side at 4:42. David Rutherford added to the lead later in the period, driving the front of the net and sneaking a backhand shot through traffic and past Beech to put the 'Bugs up by a pair.
The Mudbugs' first shorthanded goal extended the lead to 3-0 as Brett Smith sent a back-door pass to Joe Blaznek, who tapped in his 22nd of the year at 5:12. The IceRays then answered with two goals in just over two minutes as Chris Richards scored on the powerplay and Jereme Tendler followed at even strength to cut the lead to 3-2. Smith then scored on a shorthanded breakaway to give the 'Bugs a 4-2 advantage at 16:13. In the final minute of the period though, Richards slid a rebound opportunity past a prone John DeCaro to make it 4-3 with his second of the period.
Dave Pszenyczny got the two-goal lead back for Bossier-Shreveport at 5-3, knifing in from the point and backhanding the puck over Beech's shoulder just 2:04 into the third. Corpus again fought back to within one though when Jesse Dudas stickhandled through the Mudbugs defense and beat DeCaro with a great move to make it 5-4 midway through the period. DeCaro wouldn't be beaten again though, stopping a Tendler breakaway later in the period to help preserve the 5-4 win.
John DeCaro improves to 21-13-1 after making 27 saves to earn the victory. Kevin Beech stopped 17 shots in the loss as Corpus Christi outshot Bossier-Shreveport 31-22. Both teams finished 1 for 5 on the powerplay.
The Mudbugs will continue a four-game homestand Tuesday night at 7:05 pm against the Mississippi RiverKings, needing just one point to lock up third place in the conference.
Group ticket packages and are available through the Mudbugs office at 752-BUGS, while individual tickets are on sale through Ticketmaster at 741-9700 or online at www.ticketmaster.com.
Season and group tickets are on sale by calling 318-752-BUGS (2847) or by visiting our website at www.mudbugshockey.com.
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Central Hockey League Stories from March 14, 2010
- Mavericks Secure Playoff Spot In 5-2 Win Over Wichita - Kansas City Mavericks
- 'Bugs Hold Off IceRays In 5-4 Win - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
- Thunder Closes Home Schedule With Loss - Wichita Thunder
- Jacks Outlast Amarillo In 2-1 Win - Odessa Jackalopes
- Texas Battles And Earns Point In South Standings - Fort Worth Brahmas
- Bucks, Pelletier Win In Shootout To Increase Lead For Third - Laredo Bucks
- IceRays Run Out Of Time In 5-4 Loss At Bossier - Corpus Christi IceRays
- Odessa Over Amarillo 2-1 - Amarillo Gorillas
- Bucks Battle Texas In Huge Game Today - Laredo Bucks
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