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Mudbugs Get Defensive in Win Over Rush

January 7, 2011 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs News Release


RAPID CITY, SD - The Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs got a small measure of revenge against the team that knocked them out of last year's playoffs with a 3-1 victory over the Rapid City Rush Friday night at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center. The Mudbugs now stand at 21-1-1 heading into a showdown with the Colorado Eagles tomorrow night.

Steven Crampton scored a goal and assisted on another as the "˜Bugs built a 2-0 lead in the first period. Shane Hart and Clay Plume notched the other two Mudbugs tallies and John DeCaro allowed only one goal to earn his 99th career victory.

The Mudbugs enjoyed a strong first period buoyed by three successful penalty kills. Steven Crampton opened the scoring on the powerplay at 12:22, tucking in the rebound of a Jim Jorgensen shot to put Bossier-Shreveport on top. Then with just 17 seconds left in the period, Joe Blaznek centered a pass in front to Shane Hart, who buried his fifth goal of the season to make it a 2-0 "˜Bugs lead after one.

While the Mudbugs generated numerous quality scoring chances in the second stanza, Danny Battochio stood his ground to keep them from extending the lead. Rapid City then found the back of the net on their fifth powerplay chance of the night as Derek LeBlanc scored on a rebound in front of John DeCaro at 12:14 and the "˜Bugs led the contest 2-1 heading into the third.

The Mudbugs got only one shot on net in the final frame, but former Rush defenseman Clay Plume made it count, burying a feed from Justin Aikins at 12:44 to extend the lead to 3-1. Rapid City tried to harness their home-ice advantage and mount a late comeback, but DeCaro stopped all seven shots he saw in the third to preserve the win.

John DeCaro (10-4-1) stopped 22 shots to get within one win of 100 for his career as the "˜Bugs killed off five of six Rush powerplays while going 1 for 3 on their own man-advantage. Danny Battochio (13-10-4) finished with 21 saves as Bossier-Shreveport outshot Rapid City 24-23.

The Mudbugs' longest road trip of the season continues tomorrow against the Colorado Eagles at the Budweiser Events Center. Note that tomorrow's opening faceoff is set for 9:05 pm Central rather than the normal 8:05 start time in Colorado. Radio coverage gets underway at 8:45 on News Radio 710 AM KEEL and the game will also be shown line online on CHL-TV.

Season and group tickets are on sale by calling 318-752-BUGS (2847) or by visiting our website at www.mudbugshockey.com.

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