Mudbugs Bow Out of Playoffs in Texas
Published on April 5, 2008 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs News Release
NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TX - A Mudbugs season filled with great promise and lofty expectations came to a sudden and disheartening close Saturday evening at the NyTex Sports Center as the Mudbugs fell 5-3 to the Texas Brahmas in Game 4 of their Central Hockey League Northern Conference Semifinal series. The Brahma victory completed a four game sweep of the Governor's Cup Champion Mudbugs, who failed to lead the Brahmas at any point in the four playoff contests despite a 165 to 112 shots on goal series advantage, including a 43-26 disparity in Game 4. The Brahmas advance to the Northern Conference Finals against the defending champion Colorado Eagles, who dispatched the Youngstown SteelHounds in five games in the other CHL Northern Conference Semifinal series.
Joe Ori scored twice and had three points, Daniel Pegoraro had a goal and an assist and Ryan Fairbarn had two assists to help bring the Mudbugs back in the contest, but they never could get the edge in game to avoid the series sweep. Blair Manning had two goals and three points and Scott Sheppard scored twice for Texas in the win.
For the fourth straight time in the series, Texas scored first in the contest. After John DeCaro made an initial save and then two rebounds, Manning finally stuffed the puck past him for a 1-0 Brahmas lead. The Mudbugs battled back to tie it though on their first first-period goal of the series. Daniel Pegoraro's shot was stopped by Cacciola, but Joe Ori was there to poke it between the goaltender's skates and in to knot the score at one. Playing well and with the game tied, the Mudbugs suddenly found themselves down by two after the first period. That's because a defensive zone turnover by Bossier-Shreveport turned into Manning's second goal of the night with less than a minute remaining in the period, and then on a Texas powerplay, Sheppard buried a slapshot from the blueline with just eight seconds left to make it 3-1 Brahmas after one.
The Bugs peppered Cacciola in the second period with a 16-6 shot advantage, but couldn't cut the lead to one. Then just after a series of Cacciola saves on a Bossier-Shreveport powerplay, Texas got a 2-on-1 break when Kevin McLeod exited the penalty box. Grant Jacobsen found McLeod on the 2-on-1 and finished off the play to give Texas a 4-1 lead after two.
The Bugs didn't quit in the final period though, battling back to get back within one goal. Pegoraro scored on a nice backhand shot to the top shelf to put the score at 4-2, and then with about 3:30 left in regulation, Ori scored his second to make it a one goal game. But just as they had all series long, the Mudbugs battled against Cacciola but weren't able to draw even prior to Sheppard's empty net goal.
Game 4 finished with a 43-26 shot edge for Bossier-Shreveport and the Mudbugs 1 for 13 on the powerplay, while Texas was 1 for 3.
The Brahmas now advance to take on Colorado in the Northern Conference Finals, while the Mudbugs will turn their attention to next season. Keep an eye out on mudbugshockey.com for all the latest Mudbugs off-season news.
Central Hockey League Stories from April 5, 2008
- New Mexico Falls In Game Five - New Mexico Scorpions
- Arizona Takes 3-2 Lead as Series Shifts Back to Arizona - Arizona Sundogs
- Sweet sweep- Brahmas beat 'Bugs 5-3 - Fort Worth Brahmas
- Mudbugs Bow Out of Playoffs in Texas - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
- Scorpions Even Up Series With Win - New Mexico Scorpions
- Third's A Charm, Brahmas Beat 'bugs 3-2 In Game Three - Fort Worth Brahmas
- Brahmas Again Hold off Comeback, Lead 3-0 - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
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