Mississippi Drops 'Bugs 3-2

March 13, 2009 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs News Release


SOUTHAVEN, MS - The Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs couldn't recover from Mississippi's three-goal second period in a 3-2 loss to the RiverKings Friday night at the DeSoto Civic Center. The Mudbugs scored first and last in the contest, but couldn't tie the game late in the third period and suffered their third consecutive loss to Mississippi.

Chris Brassard scored a first-period goal to reach the milestone of 400 points in his Mudbugs career, making him just the third player in franchise history to accomplish that feat. Mark Johnson scored the ‘Bugs other goal that brought them back within one in the third period. Despite the loss, Ken Carroll had another solid night in goal with 41 saves.

Mississippi started the game with a few solid shifts, building a 9-2 shot advantage in the opening minutes. The ‘Bugs got stronger as the period went on though, eventually taking a 1-0 lead at exactly the 10:00 mark. Neil Clark brought the puck up the left wing side and found a wide open Chris Brassard streaking to the front. Brassard got the pass from Clark and fired a perfectly placed shot over Kevin Beech's glove hand to put Bossier-Shreveport on top in the game. The RiverKings ended the first period with a 17-9 shot advantage and had one powerplay, but Ken Carroll made all the saves and the Mudbugs took a 1-0 lead into the locker room.

Mississippi controlled most of the second period though, outshooting the ‘Bugs 19-6 and scoring three times. Dane Marshall's long shot through a screen made it past Ken Carroll to tie the game at one at 5:20. Jeff Nelson put the RiverKings on top with a tap on in a 2-on-1 break mid-way through the period. Then with just over a minute remaining in the period, Martin Gascon set up Garrett Larson's powerplay goal that gave the ‘Kings a 3-1 advantage after 40 minutes.

The ‘Bugs battled in the third though, getting within one just over five minutes into the period. Evgeny Saidachev and Kevin Cooper were battling in the corner when Cooper started to drive the net and got the puck to Johnson, who put a wrist shot through traffic and over Beech's shoulder to cut the deficit to 3-2. It looked as though the ‘Bugs might tie the game a few minutes later during a scrum in front of the Mississippi net, but the ‘Kings kept the puck out and held the lead. The Mudbugs couldn't get the equalizer late with the net empty and fell to 5-4 against the RiverKings this year.

Ken Carroll drops to 19-7-2 in the loss, while Kevin Beech made 18 saves to earn the victory. Mississippi outshot Bossier-Shreveport 44-20 in the game. Both teams finished with two powerplays, with the ‘Kings scoring the game's only powerplay goal.

The Mudbugs get another shot at the RiverKings at the DCC again tomorrow night for the second game of their back-to-back set with the ‘Kings this weekend before returning return home Sunday afternoon to face Rio Grande Valley at 4:05 pm. Saturday night's game starts at 7:05 pm and can be heard on 1130 AM KWKH with pregame coverage starting at 6:45 pm. The game will also air live online on the CHL Network.



Central Hockey League Stories from March 13, 2009


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