Clayton's OT Goal Downs Eagles

Published on January 30, 2010 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs News Release


BOSSIER CITY, LA - Travis Clayton's unassisted goal with 1:01 remaining in overtime lifted the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs to a 4-3 victory over the Colorado Eagles Saturday night at the CenturyTel Center. The win extended Bossier-Shreveport's home winning streak to five games and ended a nine-game losing skid against the Eagles dating back to last year.

Clayton's overtime goal completed an impressive comeback for the Mudbugs, who trailed 3-1 after two periods. Simon Mangos and Jeff Kryzakos scored in the third period to draw the ‘Bugs even and set up the OT winner, which came on the powerplay. Scott Kalinchuk scored the other Mudbugs goal and John DeCaro stopped 38 shots in his fourth consecutive victory.

The Mudbugs killed off three Colorado powerplays in the first period to keep the Eagles off the scoreboard and took a 1-0 lead into the locker room thanks to Scott Kalinchuk's second goal in as many nights. After Mike Mole made a blocker save on Mark Johnson from the right side, Kalinchuk picked up the rebound in the left circle and fired a quick shot off the crossbar and into the net to put the ‘Bugs on top after one period.

Colorado came out firing in the second, scoring three goals in the first half of the period to take a 3-1 lead. First it was Jim Jackson finishing off a cross-ice pass from Riley Nelson on the powerplay at 2:09. Steve Haddon jammed a rebound chance behind John DeCaro just under one minute later to give the Eagles the lead, and then Ryan Tobler scored another powerplay goal at 8:43 extend that lead. The Mudbugs tested Mike Mole with numerous scoring chances later in the period, but couldn't break through and trailed 3-1 after 40 minutes.

After an 0-for-23 stretch on the powerplay, the ‘Bugs finally converted early in the third period when Dave Pszenyczny and Neil Clark set up Simon Mangos for a tap-in goal at 2:18, cutting the Eagles' advantage to one. The equalizer came midway through the period as Shawn Limpright stepped out from behind the Colorado net and fed a pass into the slot for Jeff Kyrzakos, who fired home his 12th of the year to knot the score at three and force overtime.

Then with Riley Nelson in the penalty box for tripping late in the extra session, Clayton picked up the puck behind his own net and skated end-to-end, getting around one Eagle and then rifling a shot into the top corner from the high slot for his fourth game-winner of the season.

John DeCaro improved to 14-8-1 with the win, while Mike Mole made 35 saves in the overtime defeat. Both teams finished 2 for 8 on the powerplay as Colorado outshot Bossier-Shreveport 41-39 in the game.

The ‘Bugs will now take five days off before hosting another set of back-to-back games next weekend at the CTC. The Wichita Thunder come to town Friday night to face the Mudbugs for the fourth time this year and the ‘Bugs will close out a five-game homestand against the rival Texas Brahmas Saturday night.

Group ticket packages and mini-plans for both games are available now through the Mudbugs office at 752-BUGS, while individual tickets are on sale through Ticketmaster at 741-9700 or online at www.ticketmaster.com

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Central Hockey League Stories from January 30, 2010


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