Kyrzakos Nets OT Winner as Bugs Tie Series
May 20, 2011 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs News Release
BOSSIER CITY, LA - Jeff Kyrzakos one-timed a Nick Layton pass into the net at 4:31 of overtime to lift the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs to a 5-4 victory over the Colorado Eagles in Game 4 of the Ray Miron Presidents' Cup Finals Thursday at the CenturyTel Center. The goal tied the CHL's Championship series at two games apiece for the Mudbugs with Game 5 set for Friday night at the CenturyTel Center.
Shawn Limpright scored two goals in the game, including the one that tied it in the third period, while Simon Mangos and Nathan Moon also found the back of the net for Bossier-Shreveport. The goal by Kryzakos capped a comeback similar to the one the Mudbugs fell victim to just two days ago in Game 3 and made him the franchise record holder for goals in a single playoff season with 11. Ryan Munce relieved John DeCaro halfway through the contest after Colorado made it 4-2, stopping all 13 shots he saw to earn the win in goal.
Much like Game 3, Colorado got off to a quick start in the contest with an early 7-1 shot advantage. This time the Eagles got the first goal when Adam Hogg's sharp-angle shot went wide but bounced off the boards to the far side of John DeCaro, where Steve Haddon quickly tapped it into an open net just over one minute in.
The ¬ËBugs gained momentum as the period progressed, tying it up at 9:58 when Nathan Moon picked up a loose puck in the high slot and fired it through traffic past Andrew Penner's right pad. Just 15 seconds later off the ensuing faceoff, Travis Clayton forced the puck out front past a prone Penner, where Shawn Limpright jammed it in to put Bossier-Shreveport on top 2-1 after 20 minutes.
Colorado scored three goals on its first four shots of the second period to take the lead, starting with Adam Hogg's five-hole shot from the low circle that tied it at two. Scott May then scored an impressive shorthanded goal two minutes later, batting Adam Chorneyko's pass out of mid-air and into the net to put the Eagles on top. Chorneyko added another assist on Kevin Ulanski's goal three minutes after that to make it 4-2 Colorado.
DeCaro was then relieved in goal by Ryan Munce, who made a huge save late in the period on a chance from in tight, but not before the ¬ËBugs had drawn back within one. On that tally Andy Contois broke down the left boards and centered a feed across to Simon Mangos, who re-directed it into the net at 15:18 to give the Mudbugs life going into the third down just one.
Michael Couch then helped set up the game-tying goal in the third frame, rushing into the offensive zone and wristing a shot that was blocked near the top of the circles. The puck then bounced directly onto the stick of Limpright, who wasted no time in wiring the rebound chance into the net to tie the game at 7:47. Munce stopped nine shots in the third and Colorado hit three posts to preserve the tie into overtime.
After an unsuccessful Mudbugs powerplay early in the extra session, Jamie Milam sent the puck deep into the Eagles zone for Nick Layton, who was alone in the corner. Layton's perfect pass into the low slot was then one-timed into the net by Kyrzakos, who broke John Vecchiarelli's 12-year-old franchise record with his 11th goal of the playoffs.
John DeCaro stopped 11 shots in the first 30 minutes of the contest, while Ryan Munce (2-2) finished with 13 saves and the win. Andrew Penner (8-3) suffered the loss after a 21-save effort as Colorado outshot Bossier-Shreveport 28-26. The ¬ËBugs were 0 for 6 on the powerplay, but held the Eagles scoreless on four powerplays as well.
With the best-of-seven series now even at two games apiece, the teams will now turn their attention to Friday's Game 5 at the CenturyTel Center. The winner of that game will hold a 3-2 series lead and have a chance to clinch the championship when the series returns to Colorado for Game 6 next Wednesday.
Opening faceoff for Friday's Game 5 is set for 7:05 pm at the CenturyTel Center. Mudbugs group ticket packages can be purchased by phone at 318-752-BUGS or in person at the team office inside the CenturyTel Center.
Single game playoff tickets are also available at the CenturyTel Center box office, through Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000 or online at www.ticketmaster.com. For all the latest team news and information, visit www.mudbugshockey.com .
Season and group tickets are on sale by calling 318-752-BUGS (2847) or by visiting our website at www.mudbugshockey.com.
Central Hockey League Stories from May 20, 2011
- Mudbugs Soar Over Eagles in Game 5, Take Series Lead - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
- Ray Miron Presidents' Cup Finals Game 5 Recap - CHL
- Rutherford Leads 'Bugs to Lopsided Win in Game 5 - Colorado Eagles
- RiverKings Celebrities Take Part in Autism Fundraiser - Mississippi RiverKings
- Laredo Has Spoken - Laredo Bucks
- Shots from the Point for May 20, 2011 - CHL
- Kyrzakos Nets OT Winner as Bugs Tie Series - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
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.
