Mudbugs Dethrone 'Kings, Clinch Third Place

March 16, 2010 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs News Release


BOSSIER CITY, LA - The Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs clinched third place in the Northern Conference and a first-round playoff bye with a 5-1 victory over the Mississippi RiverKings Tuesday night at CenturyTel Center. The win improved the Mudbugs to 36-21-4 this season and assured them of a playoff matchup with either Colorado or Rapid City in the Northern Conference Semifinal round.

Shawn Limpright led the way in this one with two goals and two assists, while Jeff Kyrzakos chipped in a goal and an assist as well. Tyrel Lucas and Jamie Milam also found the back of the net and John DeCaro stopped 24 shots while being beaten only once.

The Mudbugs killed off two Mississippi powerplays and were outshot 8-7 in the first period, which ended scoreless. The 'Bugs opened the scoring in the second frame when Dave Pszenyczny held a puck in at the blueline and threaded a pass across the zone to Limpright, who one-timed it past Tim Boron to put Bossier-Shreveport ahead 1-0. Later in the period, David Rutherford and Justin Aikins teamed up to steal a puck in the Mississippi zone and get it in front to Tyrel Lucas, who faked out Tim Boron and scored to extend the lead to 2-0.

The RiverKings answered in the final minute of the period as Ryan Held poked a loose puck between DeCaro's pads to get the visitors on the board, making it 2-1 at 19:03. Before the period was out though, the 'Bugs got the cushion back as Limpright drove around the net and dished out front for a shot from Chris St. Croix, whose rebound was jammed in by Kyrzakos to put the score at 3-1 with just.52 seconds left in the second period.

Milam netted his first goal as a Mudbug early in the third, ripping a long slapshot under Boron's right pad to extend the lead to 4-1 at 2:03. Limpright then capped off the win with his second tally of the night at 8:52, finishing off a beautiful passing play with Kyrzakos and Travis Clayton to provide the final 5-1 margin.

John DeCaro improved to 22-13-1 with the victory as the 'Bugs enjoyed a 32-25 shot advantage. Tim Boron turned aside 27 shots while taking the loss for the 'Kings. Bossier-Shreveport finished 1 for 4 on the powerplay and killed off all four of Mississippi's man-advantages in the contest.

The Mudbugs will continue the final week of the regular season with home games Thursday against Tulsa and Friday in their home finale against Missouri.

Mudbugs group ticket packages are available now, so call (318) 752-BUGS or stop by the team office inside CenturyTel Center for more information. Individual tickets to all Mudbugs home games are available at the CenturyTel Center main box office, through Ticketmaster at (318) 741-9700 or online at www.ticketmaster.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 March 16, 2010


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