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CHL Central Hockey League

Can't Miss Events to Close the Regular Season

March 20, 2008 - Central Hockey League (CHL) News Release


BOSSIER CITY, LA - The Central Hockey League regular season comes to an end this weekend, so don't miss your last two chances to see the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs before the 2008 CHL playoffs. The Mudbugs will close the regular season with games on back-to-back nights at CenturyTel Center , Friday vs. Texas and Saturday vs. Rocky Mountain .

Friday night will be the second of our three Boomtown Casino/Hotel trading card giveaway nights. The first 3,000 fans through the CTC doors will receive the second set of seven Mudbugs trading cards featuring Daniel Pegoraro, Karlis Zirnis, Ryan Fairbarn, Neil Poulsen, Tyrel Lucas, Jake Ortmeyer and Equipment Manager Billy T. Welker. Then just before the game against Texas , the Mudbugs will be holding a special awards ceremony to honor both Head Coach Scott Muscutt and goaltender John DeCaro. The CHL announced Wednesday that Muscutt has been selected as the league's 2007-08 Coach of the Year for the first time in his career after leading the team to its second consecutive CHL Governor's Cup Regular Season Championship. DeCaro, who leads all goaltenders in nearly every statistical category and has broken numerous league records this year, was named to his second consecutive All-CHL team on Tuesday. The second-year goalie is a finalist for his second straight Most Outstanding Goaltender award as well, which will be announced by the league on Friday afternoon, and for CHL Most Valuable Player, which will be unveiled on Monday.

Following the ceremony, the Mudbugs will take on the division rival Brahmas for the final time this regular season. Texas officially clinched a playoff spot with their 5-2 victory over Wichita on Wednesday and is looking to lock up the third seed in the Northern Conference. The Brahmas are the only team in the CHL with a winning record against the Mudbugs this season, with six wins in ten previous games against the Governor's Cup Champs.

Saturday will be the final night of the Boomtown Casino/Hotel trading card giveaway before the Bugs take on Rocky Mountain . The third set of cards features John DeCaro, Jason Campbell, Justin Aikins, Kevin Labatte, Matt York and Assistant Coach Trevor Buchanan, along with a special redemption card. That card can be redeemed at Boomtown for both the final set of Mudbugs trading cards featuring Chris Brassard, Quade Lightbody, Jason Basile, Ken Carroll, Joe Ori, Kevin Cooper and Head Coach Scott Muscutt and a 2 for 1 meal discount at Boomtown's Cattleman's Buffet. These cards will only be available prior to puck drop on Saturday.

You won't want to miss the ceremony prior to Saturday's game when banners commemorating the Mudbugs' 2007-08 Northeast Division and Governor's Cup Championships will be unveiled in the CenturyTel Center rafters. Following the hanging of the banners a special guest will be dropping the ceremonial first puck, as former LSU running back and Shreveport native Jacob Hester will be on hand for the pregame events. The former Tigers leading rusher and BCS National Champion will be at Saturday night's game and available for Meet and Greets during both intermissions. In conjunction with Hester's visit will be the last specialty jersey of the season. The Mudbugs wear specialty purple and gold jerseys to be auctioned off to the fans immediately following the contest.

Saturday's game could be pivotal for the Rage, who held the league's best record for much of the first half of the season, but now are struggling to qualify for the playoffs. Rocky Mountain will bring one of the top offensive teams in the CHL to CenturyTel Center in the regular season finale to battle the Mudbugs' number one defense in one last playoff tune-up.

Tickets for both games are available through Ticketmaster at 318-741-9700 for individual seats and the Mudbugs office at 318-752-BUGS for group tickets. Tickets for the 2008 CHL Playoffs are also on sale now at the Mudbugs office.

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Central Hockey League Stories from March 20, 2008


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