K.C.'s Help Mudbugs Slow the Rush

January 30, 2009 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs News Release


BOSSIER CITY, LA - Ken Carroll made 44 saves and Kevin Cooper scored two goals in his first game back from a long injury absence as the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs defeated the Rapid City Rush 4-2 on Friday night at the CenturyTel Center. The Mudbugs' winning streak now stands at three games heading into tomorrow's contest against Wichita.

Cooper, who was playing in his first game since December 12, scored twice in the first period to help the Mudbugs to a 2-1 lead after one. Mark Johnson's second-period goal gave Bossier-Shreveport a 3-2 lead and Carroll did the rest in goal, winning his 15th game of the season as the 'Bugs stayed in a tie with Oklahoma City for first place in the Northeast Division. Dale Lupul and Simon Mangos each added two assists in the contest as well.

The game started with a heavyweight bout just 1:25 in as Brett Angel dropped the gloves with Jason Goulet. Kevin Cooper opened the scoring shortly after, getting the puck in the slot from Dale Lupul and firing a high wrist shot glove side on Miguel Beaudry to give the 'Bugs a 1-0 lead. The Rush answered back though when Paul Kelly blocked a Dale Lupul shot to spring Rapid City on a 2 on 1 break. Chris Lipsett then fired a great shot off the post and in to tie it the game at one. The Mudbugs took the lead back when Chris Brassard hit Cooper in stride on his way across the blueline and into the zone. Cooper stickhandled around a Rapid City defenseman and tucked the puck under Beaudry's pad to make it a 2-1 game after the first.

Gio Flamminio tied it up for Rapid City in the second when Blaine Jarvis' long shot bounced off Dave Pszenyczny in front and right to Flamminio, who slid it into the net to make the score 2-2 at 7:47. The 'Bugs then got the lead back on a hard-working goal from Mark Johnson at 12:35. Brett Angel's shot from the circle was stopped in front, but Johnson had two cracks at the rebound, putting the first one off the post and then batting the second chance out of mid-air and into the net to make it 3-2 after 40 minutes.

The score stayed that way through most of the third period, thanks in part to Carroll's 13 third-period saves. Joe Ori then scored on the rebound of a Dale Lupul shot during a Mudbugs powerplay with just 1:11 remaining in the game to seal a 4-2 Bossier-Shreveport win.

Ken Carroll moved to 8-1-1 in his last ten starts after making 44 saves to improve his season record to 15-4-2. Miguel Beaudry made 27 saves in the loss as the Rush outshot the 'Bugs 46-31. The Mudbugs finished 2 for 6 on the powerplay, while Rapid City was 0 for 6.

Tomorrow night the Mudbugs will be right back on home ice for their third meeting of the year with the Wichita Thunder at 7:05 pm. The 'Bugs won a pair of games against the Thunder back in early December, winning 1-0 at home and then 2-1 in Wichita two days later. Individual seats are on sale through Ticketmaster at 318-741-9700, while group tickets and Mudbugs flex ticket packages are available at the Mudbugs office inside CenturyTel or by calling 318-752-BUGS.



Central Hockey League Stories from January 30, 2009


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