Sports stats



Clark, 'Bugs Bite 'Dogs in AZ

February 20, 2009 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs News Release


PRESCOTT VALLEY, AZ - Neil Clark's second goal of the game early in the third period proved to be the difference as the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs knocked off the Arizona Sundogs 4-3 Friday night at the Tim's Toyota Center. The win, which was also the 350th of Head Coach Scott Muscutt's career, kept the Mudbugs just two points off the division lead and moved them within seven points of the Northern Conference lead.

In addition to Clark's pair of goals, Brett Angel contributed a goal and an assist and Dave Pszenyczny chipped in two assists offensively for the ‘Bugs. Jon Horrell made 30 saves, including a number of tough ones late in the third, to earn his ninth win of the year in goal.

The Sundogs had the territorial advantage early on in the first, but the ‘Bugs would actually score the first goal on the powerplay when Pszenyczny's long shot from the point was tipped in by Clark to give Bossier-Shreveport the lead. Not long after that, Matt Craig split the Mudbugs' defense and backhanded the puck between Horrell's legs to tie it for Arizona. Chris Bartolone got a weak-side pass from Rob Lehtinen a few minutes later and redirected it into the net to give the Sundogs a 2-1 lead mid-way through the period. Angel then scored from the right circle, putting a pass from J.J. Martin over Joel Gistedt's shoulder to tie the game at two for Bossier-Shreveport. Before the period was out, Dale Lupul gave the Mudbugs a 3-2 lead, finding the twine for his tenth of the year during a 5-on-3 powerplay to put the ‘Bugs back on top after one period.

Arizona controlled much of the second, outshooting Bossier-Shreveport 19-10, but the Mudbugs held the 3-2 lead until the last minute of the period. Dwayne Hay took a pass from Bartolone in the slot and spun around to backhand the puck past Horrell on an Arizona powerplay, tying the game at three with just 53 seconds left in the middle frame.

Clark's game-winner came when he skated through the neutral zone and into Sundogs territory, shooting the puck right past an Arizona defender and over Gistedt's left pad to give the ‘Bugs a 4-3 lead just 3:10 into the third. The ‘Dogs pushed to tie the game with the net empty late in the period, but Horrell made a few key saves and the Mudbugs held on for the 4-3 win.

Bossier-Shreveport outshot Arizona 36-33 in the contest and scored on two of its five powerplay opportunities. The Sundogs were 1 for 5 on the man-advantage. Horrell improves to 9-2-1 this year after the 30-save winning effort, while Joel Gistedt falls to 8-13-0 despite making 32 saves.

The two teams will be right back at it again tomorrow night at the Tim's Toyota Center in their third and final meeting of the year, which will also break a 1-1 tie in the season series. Opening faceoff is again set for 8:05 pm Central time, with pregame coverage beginning at 7:45 on News radio 710 AM KEEL. The game will also be shown live online on the CHL Network.

• Discuss this story on the Central Hockey League message board...

Central Hockey League Stories from February 20, 2009


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central