'Bugs Rally to Knock Off IceRays

October 17, 2009 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs News Release


CORPUS CHRISTI, TX - The Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs rallied from two separate third-period deficits to earn their first win of the 2009-10 season with a 4-3 victory over the Corpus Christi IceRays Saturday night at the American Bank Center. Neil Clark's game-winning goal with just 3:08 remaining put the ‘Bugs on top to stay and evened their record at 1-1 this season.

Joe Zappala had a goal and an assist, while Tyler Liebel and Jeff MacDermid each scored their first goals in purple and teal in the victory. The Mudbugs outshot the IceRays 11-4 in the third period and 33-26 overall.

Bossier-Shreveport opened the scoring just 1:39 into the game when Tyler Liebel tipped a Joe Blaznek shot past Kevin Defosses to give the ‘Bugs their first lead of the season. Corpus Christi tied the game a few minutes later when Chris Richards fired in the rebound of Maxime Bosclair's shot and then took the lead when Morgan MacLean's long wrister from the blueline snuck into the top corner of John DeCaro's net. The Mudbugs were 3-3 killing penalties in the period, but still trailed 2-1 after one.

Bossier-Shreveport turned up the offensive pressure in the second period of play with a number of quality chances, but Defosses made 11 saves to keep the IceRays in front by a goal heading into the third.

Just 44 seconds into the final period, Simon Mangos' shot from the point was deflected by Jeff MacDermid and into the net, tying the game at two. The IceRays went back on top a short time later though when Jereme Tendler scored off a Mudbugs turnover. Trailing 3-2 and on the powerplay later in the third, the ‘Bugs tied it up at three when Joe Zappala's faceoff win bounced off an IceRay in front and into the net. Then with just 3:08 remaining Clark skated out from behind the Corpus Christi net and backhanded the puck into the top corner for the game-winning goal.

John DeCaro made 23 saves in his first win of the season, while Defosses stopped 29 shots in his IceRays debut. The ‘Bugs finished 1 for 5 on the powerplay, while Corpus Christi was 0 for 4.

The Mudbugs will now have five days off before they are back on the CenturyTel Center ice next Friday night for their second home game of the year. Bossier-Shreveport will play host in that game to the expansion Allen Americans in the first-ever meeting between the two franchises at 7:05 pm.

Mudbugs season ticket packages and mini-plans are still available, so call (318) 752-BUGS or stop by the team office inside CenturyTel Center for more information. Individual tickets for next Friday night are available through Ticketmaster at (318) 741-9700 or online at www.ticketmaster.com.



Central Hockey League Stories from October 17, 2009


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