Mudbugs Hold on to Take Game 1 in Allen
April 29, 2011 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs News Release
ALLEN, TX - The Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs built a 4-1 lead through two periods and held off a late Allen Americans charge to take Game 1 of the Berry Conference Finals by a final score of 5-4 Friday night at the Allen Event Center. The Mudbugs now hold a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series going into Game 2 Sunday in Allen.
Shawn Limpright scored Bossier-Shreveport's last two goals of the game (including his second consecutive game-winner) and added an assist, while Justin Aikins had a goal and an assist. Brett Smith also contributed a pair of helpers as the âBugs scored twice on the powerplay and once shorthanded on their way to winning Game 1 for the second time in three tries this postseason.
Allen struck first as Dave Bonk tallied just over three minutes in to put the home team ahead 1-0. The Mudbugs tied it with a powerplay goal midway through the period when Simon Mangos snuck a long shot through traffic and then Chris Whitley's five-hole at 10:32. Justin Aikins gave the âBugs a 2-1 lead just over two minutes later when Brett Smith tapped a Kevin Young pass right to him before he cut across the crease and shelved a backhander for another powerplay goal.
Bossier-Shreveport extended the lead to 3-1 halfway through the second stanza as Dave Pszenyczny picked up a rebound along the boards and shot it into an open net past a prone Whitley for his first goal of the playoffs. Then late in the period, Smith grabbed the puck just inside the Mudbugs blueline and made a long pass to Limpright, who skated into Allen ice and ripped a long shot through a screen past Whitley with just two seconds left in the period to make it 4-1 âBugs after two.
At 6:55 of the third, Judd Blackwater tapped in a nice feed from Colton Yellow Horn to get Allen back within two. With Bossier-Shreveport shorthanded five minutes later, Michael Couch cleared the puck into the Allen zone, allowing Limpright to win a race, get around Dave Bonk and tuck it between Whitley's pads to give the âBugs a 5-2 edge. Yellow Horn answered right back with a powerplay goal just over 30 seconds later to get the Americans back within 5-3.
Aikins was whistled for a double-minor penalty for high-sticking with less than five minutes remaining, leading to Jarret Lukin's powerplay goal that cut the Mudbug lead to one. The âBugs were able to kill off the second half of the penalty and finish off a 5-4 victory to take the 1-0 series lead.
John DeCaro (6-1) stopped 28 shots to tie Whitley for the CHL playoff lead with six wins as Bossier-Shreveport was outshot 32-26 in the contest. Chris Whitley (6-3) finished with 21 saves in the loss for Allen. The Mudbugs scored on two of four powerplay chances, while the Americans were 2 for 8.
The Mudbugs will now look to take a 2-0 series lead when the series continues with Game 2 on Sunday at the Allen Event Center. Opening faceoff is set for 6:00 pm, with radio coverage starting at 5:40 on AM 1130 KWKH. The game will also be shown live online on CHL-TV.
Central Hockey League Stories from April 29, 2011
- Boron Wins Goaltenders Duel as Rush Draw First Blood - Rapid City Rush
- Mudbugs Hold on to Take Game 1 in Allen - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
- Rush Take 1-0 Series Lead in Turner Conference Finals - Colorado Eagles
- Shots from the Point for April 29, 2011 - CHL
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