Mudbugs Blank Bucks, Sweep Weekend Series

February 12, 2011 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs News Release


LAREDO, TX - John DeCaro earned his first shutout of the season and the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs scored five times to earn their third straight win, 5-0 over the Laredo Bucks Saturday night at Laredo Energy Arena. The win puts the Mudbugs at 25-19-2 this season after a sweep of this weekend's back-to-back set against the Bucks.

DeCaro turned aside all 18 shots he saw and the ‘Bugs got a goal and an assist each from David Rutherford, Brett Smith and Simon Mangos while improving to 5-1 against Laredo this year. Steven Crampton also posted two assists and Jamie Milam and Jeff Martens scored the other two Bossier-Shreveport goals.

The Mudbugs missed on three powerplays in the first period, but got better as the period went along and took a 1-0 lead into the locker room. Brett Smith and David Rutherford teamed up to create a rebound chance for Jamie Milam, who fired home his 12th goal of the season with six minutes left in the opening frame.

A nice lead pass from Simon Mangos in the second stanza sent David Rutherford on a breakaway before he beat Torrie Jung for his 30th goal of the year, giving the ‘Bugs a 2-0 edge and becoming the first Mudbug since Cam Abbott (2006-07) to score 30 goals in a single season. Later in the period Steven Crampton picked up a loose puck at center and fed it across to Simon Mangos, who wristed it past a screened Jung from the high slot to send Bossier-Shreveport into the last 20 minutes with a 3-0 lead.

Crampton set up another goal that was finished off by Brett Smith at 7:34 of the third and then Jeff Martens capped off the win, scoring on a shot that was deflected through traffic in front. The ‘Bugs allowed only three shots in the third period to help DeCaro finish off his 16th career shutout.

DeCaro (13-8-1) has now won two straight and three of his last four decisions. Torrie Jung (10-13-3) finished with 26 saves as the ‘Bugs outshot the Bucks 31-18. Neither team scored a powerplay goal with Bossier-Shreveport going 0 for 5 and Laredo 0 for 2 on the man-advantage.

The Mudbugs will now return home for three games at the CenturyTel Center next week, starting with Tuesday's 6:35 matchup against the Wichita Thunder presented by International Used Truck Center. The ‘Bugs are offering gold level walk-up tickets for just $10 for Tuesday's "Guys Night Out" and the first 1,500 guys through the doors will have a chance to win a $1,500 grill courtesy of Fireplace Specialties.

Mini-plans and group ticket packages for all home games are available now through the Mudbugs office at 752-BUGS. Individual tickets are on sale through Ticketmaster at 318-741-9700, online at www.ticketmaster.com or at the CenturyTel Center main box office.



Central Hockey League Stories from February 12, 2011


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