Carroll, Mudbugs Shutout RiverKings

Published on March 20, 2009 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs News Release


BOSSIER CITY, LA - Ken Carroll made 45 saves to earn his third shutout of the season as the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs blanked the Mississippi RiverKings 4-0 on Friday night at the CenturyTel Center. The win, paired with Oklahoma City's 3-2 loss in Odessa, means the Mudbugs can clinch the third seed in the Northern Conference playoffs with a win against Corpus Christi tomorrow night in the regular season finale.

The Mudbugs built their lead on goals from Joe Ori and Joe Blaznek during the first two periods and held a 2-0 lead until Kevin Cooper and Chris Brassard helped them salt away the win late in the third. Tyrel Lucas and Brett Smith each chipped in two assists as well as the ‘Bugs won their second straight over the RiverKings to finish 7-4-1 against their biggest division rivals this year. Bossier-Shreveport can now finish third in the conference with a win or an Oklahoma City loss tomorrow, which would match them up with Mississippi again in the Northern Conference semifinals.

The ‘Bugs came out flying from the drop of the puck, creating multiple scoring chances that just missed in the opening minutes. The RiverKings countered with a few shots of their own, and just when it seemed the period would end scoreless, Bossier-Shreveport made a big play. Tyrel Lucas sent a long pass through the neutral zone that somehow made it past two RiverKings and onto the tape of Joe Ori. Ori raced in on a breakaway and beat Kevin Beech with a glove-side backhander to make it 1-0 with just 53 seconds to go in the period.

The Mudbugs added to the lead on the powerplay at 4:38 of the second period when Joe Blaznek skated into the offensive zone and smoked a hard wrist shot over Beech's glove hand and into the top corner to make it a 2-0 game. Mississippi came on though as the period progressed, eventually outshooting the ‘Bugs 19-15 in the period. Even still, Bossier-Shreveport killed off three RiverKing powerplays and held the two goal lead after 40 minutes.

Mississippi kept coming in the third period, but Carroll made all the saves, including a glove save on Bobby Chaumont's point-blank chance and a shoulder stop on Stephen Margeson from right on the doorstep. Before the ‘Kings had a chance to pull the goaltender late, the Mudbugs got a 2-on-1 with Brett Smith hitting the post only to have Kevin Cooper put in the rebound with 1:43 remaining. Brassard then capped off the win with a long-range empty net goal to make it 4-0 with only 20 seconds remaining.

With the huge 45-save effort, Carroll earned his 21st win of the year and extended his own league-record total to 29 shutouts in his CHL career. Kevin Beech made 34 saves in defeat as the RiverKings outshot the Mudbugs 45-38 in the contest. The ‘Bugs finished 1 for 7 on the powerplay while the ‘Kings went 0 for 6.

Tomorrow night the Mudbugs will close out the 2008-09 regular season against the Corpus Christi IceRays at 7:05 pm. Corpus Christi lost 3-1 Friday night at Rio Grande Valley, meaning the IceRays need a win at the CenturyTel Center to clinch the fifth and final playoff spot in the Southern Conference. Saturday's game will break a 2-2 tie in the season series between the ‘Bugs and Rays. Individual seats are on sale through Ticketmaster at 318-741-9700 or online at www.ticketmaster.com. Group ticket packages and Mudbugs playoff tickets are available at the team office inside CenturyTel Center or by calling 318-752-BUGS.

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Central Hockey League Stories from March 20, 2009


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