Eagles Take Early Series Lead with Game 1 Win
Published on March 30, 2009 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs News Release
LOVELAND, CO - The Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs came up just short in Game 1 of the Northern Conference Semifinals, falling 4-2 to the Colorado Eagles on Sunday night at the Budweiser Events Center. Colorado takes a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series heading into tomorrow night's Game 2.
Joe Blaznek's goal late in the second period tied the game at two for Bossier-Shreveport, but a pair of Eagles tallies in the third were too much for the âBugs to overcome. Blaznek and Brett Smith each finished with a goal and an assist on the night, while Jon Horrell made 34 saves in goal.
After an evenly played first few minutes, Colorado took the lead at 10:30 of the opening period when Aaron Schneekloth cut into the zone and beat Jon Horrell through a screen to make it 1-0. Just 2:27 later, Kevin Ulanski fired a shot from high in the zone that Horrell stopped, but Ulanski poked in his own rebound to make it 2-0 for Colorado. Late in the period, Joe Ori circled the net and sent a pass into the high slot for Brett Smith, who fired it home with just 34 seconds remaining in the period to make it 2-1 after one.
The Mudbugs were 0 for 3 on the powerplay in the second period, but generated more scoring chances and outshot the Eagles 12-9. Then with less than two minutes left in the middle frame, Joe Blaznek skated coast-to-coast and beat Andrew Penner with a hard slapshot just under the crossbar to tie the game at two after two.
Colorado re-took the lead early in the third when the Mudbugs turned the puck over just inside the Eagles' blueline on a powerplay. Ulanski raced in on a breakaway and beat Horrell with a low backhander to make it 3-2 at 4:47 of the third. Later in the period, a long shot from the point by Greg Pankewicz snuck through traffic and inside the right post to give Colorado a 4-2 advantage. With the net empty in the final minute, the Mudbugs pulled closer when Smith set up Simon Mangos' goal that made it 4-3 with 19 seconds remaining. The âBugs couldn't get the equalizer in the final seconds though and fell behind in the series 0-1.
Horrell put on a solid showing in net despite the loss, stopping 34 shots. Andrew Penner made 31 saves as Colorado outshot Bossier-Shreveport 38-34. The Eagles went 2 for 4 on the powerplay, while the âBugs finished 0 for 4.
The teams will be right back at it tomorrow night for Game 2 of the series at the BEC. The Mudbugs will be looking to even the series up a one game apiece Monday night before the series shifts back to CenturyTel Center for Games 3, 4, and 5 (if necessary). The opening puck drop for Game 2 is again set for 8:05 pm Central time with pregame coverage starting at 6:45 pm on 1130 AM KWKH. The contest will also be shown live online on the CHL Network and on television on Altitude Sports & Entertainment.
Central Hockey League Stories from March 30, 2009
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- Jacks Down 0-2 in Conference Semifinal Series Against Laredo - Odessa Jackalopes
- Shots from the Point - CHL
- Bucks Players, Staff Buy Tickets For Sacred Heart Children's Home - Laredo Bucks
- Eagles Take Early Series Lead with Game 1 Win - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
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- Eagles Power Past 'Bugs in Game 1 - Colorado Eagles
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