Mudbugs, Blair Shutout Bees 2-0

Published on November 9, 2004 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees News Release


Hidalgo, Tx - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs goaltender Jeff Blair collected his fifth career shutout and second consecutive shutout against the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees, as he stopped all 38 Bees shots to lead the Mudbugs to a 2-0 win in front of a sellout crowd of 5,600 Tuesday afternoon at the Dodge Arena.

5,000 of the fans were area fifth and third graders, who were attending the game as part of the "Reading & Writing with the Bees" education program. They were treated to back-and-forth hockey filled with outstanding goaltending.

The back-and-forth play was established in the first period, as the Bees were awarded five power play opportunities, but unfortunately they could not take advantage of any of their opportunities. Bossier received six consecutive power play opportunities following the Bees five and they too were held from converting on their opportunities. They did score a pair of even strength goals early in the second period 2:12 apart, which proved to be the game's only scoring. Ryan Manitowich scored his first of the season, flipping the puck over Jeff Levy's shoulder 2:52 into the second period, to give the 'Bugs a 1-0 lead. Brent Smith assisted Manitowich's goal and then grabbed one himself, firing a shot through a massive screen from the right circle that found the back of the net.

Bees goaltender Jeff Levy made some outstanding saves to keep the Bees within two, but the Bees offense could not get anything past Blair. Blair shutout the Bees the last time the two clubs met (3/14/04) and has built an all-time series shutout sequence of 154:30, which is a record shutout sequence for an opposing Bees goaltender.

The Killer Bees continue atop the Southeast Division, but the loss drops them to 3-2-0 and ends their three game winning streak. It was the Bees first loss at the Dodge Arena this season. The Bees will now hit the road for four games in a five night span beginning this Friday and Saturday in Fort Collins, Colorado with a two-game set with the Colorado Eagles.

-------------------------------------------------- Bossier-Shreveport 0 2 0 -- 2 Rio Grande Valley 0 0 0 -- 0 --------------------------------------------------

FIRST PERIOD -- Penalties: Bell, BOS (Holding Stick, Minor, 2 min) 2:09. Holland, RGV (Roughing, Minor, 2 min) 6:20. Nicholson, BOS (Roughing, Double Minor, 4 min) 6:20. Bell, BOS (High Sticking, Minor, 2 min) 7:11. Wildfong, BOS (Unsportsmanlike Conduct, Minor, 2 min) 9:24. Sheppard, BOS (Abuse of Officials, Bench Minor, 2 min) 11:02. Tessier, RGV (Roughing, Minor, 2 min) 12:55. Emersic, RGV (Tripping, Minor, 2 min) 14:37. Guenther, RGV (Holding Stick, Minor, 2 min) 19:20.

SECOND PERIOD -- Scoring: BOS-Manitowich (Smith) 2:52. BOS-Smith (Manitowich) 5:04. Penalties: Aslund, RGV (Interference, Minor, 2 min) 5:38. Newson, RGV (Hooking, Minor, 2 min) 8:48. Newson, RGV (Roughing, Minor, 2 min) 11:29. Wildfong, BOS (High Sticking, Double Minor, 4 min) 11:39. Tessier, RGV (Roughing, Minor, 2 min) 19:10. Wildfong, BOS (Roughing, Minor, 2 min) 19:10.

THIRD PERIOD -- Penalties: Aslund, RGV (Hooking, Minor, 2 min) 11:23. Smith, BOS (Diving, Minor, 2 min) 11:23. Manitowich, BOS (Hooking, Minor, 2 min)15:21.

Shots on goal: -------------------------------------------------- Bossier-Shreveport 3 16 6 -- 25 Rio Grande Valley 11 14 13 -- 38 --------------------------------------------------

Power-play Conversions: Bossier-Shreveport - 0 of 6, Rio Grande Valley - 0 of 8 Goalies: Bossier-Shreveport, Jeff Blair (38 shots, 38 saves;) Rio Grande Valley, Jeff Levy (25 shots, 23 saves;) A: 7,002. Referees Frederick LEcuyer. Linesmen: Chris Libett, Moe LeBlanc.

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Central Hockey League Stories from November 9, 2004


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