
'Bugs Top Jacks to Clinch Second Place
March 25, 2011 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs News Release
BOSSIER CITY, LA - The Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs clinched the #2 seed in the Berry Conference playoffs with a 3-2 win over the Odessa Jackalopes in their final home game of the regular season Friday night at the CenturyTel Center. The âBugs now stand at 37-25-3 going into Saturday's regular season finale in Odessa.
Steven Crampton posted three assists for the Mudbugs, while Brett Smith scored one goal and set up another in the win. Shawn Limpright and Justin Aikins scored the other two goals and Ryan Munce stopped 27 shots as the âBugs improved to 2-0 against Odessa this year in front of 5,154 fans.
The game remained scoreless after 20 minutes of play, with both goaltenders making big saves in the first. The âBugs jumped on top early in the second frame as Brett Smith led the rush and dished a pass back to Shawn Limpright, who beat Mike Mole for his 20th goal of the season at 1:11. Less than four minutes later, Smith was the recipient of a similar feed, getting a pass from Jim Jorgensen and stepping into the circle before sniping a wrist shot over Mole's glove to make it 2-0 with his 20th of the year.
The Jackalopes rallied in the second half of the period however, cutting into the lead when CHL leading scorers Sebastien Thinel and Todd Robinson set up an Alex Dunn goal at 14:14. Odessa then tied the game just as a powerplay expired when Jeff Pierce's long point shot found its way into the net with less than two minutes left in the second stanza.
Things stayed tight through the third period as the score stayed tied until just 3:37 remained in regulation. That's when Simon Mangos' long shot was directed on goal by Crampton before the rebound landed on the tape of Justin Aikins, who knocked in the go-ahead goal to give Bossier-Shreveport the 3-2 edge. A late powerplay gave the Jackalopes a chance to tie with the net empty, but Munce and the Mudbugs held on to close their home schedule with a five-game winning streak at the CenturyTel Center.
Ryan Munce (5-3-1) won for the fifth time in his last seven starts with 27 saves as the âBugs were outshot 29-23. Mike Mole (6-2-0) finished the night with 20 stops as his three-game win streak ended. Bossier-Shreveport held Odessa scoreless on four powerplays while going 0 for 2 themselves.
The Mudbugs will now travel to Odessa to complete the regular season Saturday at the Ector County Coliseum with another tilt against the Jackalopes. Opening faceoff is set for 7:05 with pregame coverage beginning at 6:45 on News Radio 710 AM KEEL. The game will also be shown live online on CHL-TV.
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Central Hockey League Stories from March 25, 2011
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