Gorillas Slip by Mudbugs

Published on December 4, 2009 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs News Release


BOSSIER CITY, LA - Another big night from the forward line of Travis Clayton, Jeff Kyrzakos and Shawn Limpright wasn't enough for the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs Friday night in a 5-4 loss to the Amarillo Gorillas at the CenturyTel Center. All three forwards had multi-point nights, but Amarillo kept the ‘Bugs playing from behind all game long and held on to give Bossier-Shreveport its ninth loss of the year.

Clayton scored a goal and added two assists, Kyrzakos had three assists and Limpright scored two goals for the Mudbugs, who saw their comeback effort fall just short. Stuart MacRae (goal, 3 assists) and Andrew Smale, (2 goals, assist) led the way offensively for the Gorillas, who won for just the second time in their past 12 games.

It didn't take long for Amarillo to open to the scoring in this one as Smale picked up a Mudbugs turnover and beat Ken Carroll over the right shoulder to make it 1-0 at 3:41. The ‘Bugs answered back just nine seconds later as Limpright knocked his first goal past Mike Brown to tie the score at one. Later in the period Smale got his second goal of the game on a scramble in front, banging home a rebound after Carroll had made two saves on the play to give the Gorillas a 2-1 lead after 20 minutes.

Shaun Arvai added to the lead early in the second, picking up a turnover outside the Mudbugs blueline and beating Carroll from the right circle to put Amarillo up 3-1. Just over two minutes later, Bossier-Shreveport answered again with Limpright's second goal of the night after a nice passing play with Kyrzakos and Clayton helped get the ‘Bugs back within a goal. Amarillo then made it 4-2 during a 5-on-3 powerplay when Jake Morissette scored on a back-door pass mid-way through the period. With just 1:55 left to go in the second, Joe Blaznek finished off a give-and-go with Tyler Liebel to notch his eighth goal of the season and pull the Mudbugs back within a 4-3 margin heading into the final period.

Less than three minutes into the third, Stuart MacRae finished off a 2-on-1 break to make it a two-goal game once again at 5-3. The ‘Bugs fought back one last time to get within a goal when Clayton followed his own rebound to score his seventh goal of the year with 6:44 remaining. A late penalty call to Gordon Bell put the Mudbugs on a 4:00 powerplay in the final minutes, but Amarillo held off the comeback to seal a 5-4 victory.

Ken Carroll made 20 saves on 25 shots but took the loss to snap his four-game personal winning streak. Mike Brown stopped 32 of 36 shots for the Gorillas in the win. Bossier-Shreveport finished 0 for 5 on the powerplay, while Amarillo was 1 for 2.

With their three-game homestand now completed, the Mudbugs will head to Texas for their third meeting of the season with the Brahmas tomorrow night at the NyTex Sports Centre. Opening puck drop is set for 7:05 pm, with pregame coverage beginning at 6:45 on News Radio 710 AM KEEL. The game will also be shown live online on CHL TV.

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Central Hockey League Stories from December 4, 2009


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