Mudbugs Make Statement Against Blazers

February 3, 2009 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs News Release


BOSSIER CITY, LA - Five different players scored goals and Ken Carroll made 28 saves for his first shutout of the season as the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs earned an impressive 5-0 victory over the Oklahoma City Blazers on Tuesday night at the CenturyTel Center. The win extends the Mudbugs' win streak to a season-high five games and puts the Mudbugs back into sole possession of first place in the Northeast Division.

The ‘Bugs scored three times in the first period and twice more in the second to build the lead, getting three points from Simon Mangos and two from Chris Brassard. Carroll then had to make 16 third-period saves to preserve his 27th career CHL shutout, extending his own league record. Travis Clayton also had an assist in the game, giving him 875 points in his CHL career and moving him into a tie with Doug Lawrence for second in CHL history in scoring.

The Mudbugs dominated the first period, outshooting Oklahoma City 12-7 and taking a 3-0 lead. Bossier-Shreveport struck first less than three minutes into the game right off a faceoff win by Joe Blaznek. Dale Lupul fired a long shot right off the draw that Andy Franck stopped, but Kevin Cooper came in and poked the rebound into the net before Franck could control it to give the ‘Bugs a 1-0 lead. It stayed that way through much of the period before Chris Brassard made it 2-0. Blaznek skated the puck into the offensive zone and drew two defenders toward him before sliding a pass across to a wide-open Brassard, who then roofed the puck over Franck's glove for his 13th goal of the season. Then with just 16 seconds left in the period, Mangos was open in the high slot and got a pass from Clayton in the corner before firing a high wrister into the top corner to give the Mudbugs a three-goal advantage after one.

The ‘Bugs kept coming in the second period, going up 4-0 when J.R. Bria's slapshot from the point made it into the net with Neil Clark screening Franck in front. Just 1:09 later, Tyrel Lucas broke into the zone and put a hard, perfectly placed wrist shot off the far post and into the net to make it a 5-0 Mudbugs lead after two periods.

Oklahoma City finally got some offensive pressure in the third, putting 16 shots on net and getting a few good chances, but Carroll made the saves and the Mudbugs again buckled down on the penalty kill to preserve the 5-0 shutout win.

There were also six fights in the physical contest, including three between heavyweights Brett Angel of the Mudbugs and Justin Sawyer of the Blazers, who were subsequently given game misconducts with 11:09 to go in the third period. The ‘Bugs Clay Thoring also fought Jeff MacDermid, Chris Brassard dropped the gloves with Tyler Harder and Neil Clark squared off with Reagan Leslie.

Carroll is 16-5-2 this year after posting his first shutout of the year, which was also his fourth straight victory. Franck made 24 saves but fell to 12-8-3 on the season. The Mudbugs finished the night with a 29-28 shot advantage, but were held scoreless on eight powerplay chances. Oklahoma City was 0 for 5 on the powerplay.

Up next the Mudbugs will continue a seven-game homestand this weekend, taking on the Blazers again on Friday night and then hosting the rival Texas Brahmas on Saturday night. Both games are set for 7:05 pm. Individual tickets are available through Ticketmaster at 318-741-9700 and group and flex ticket packages are on sale through the Mudbugs office at 318-752-BUGS.



Central Hockey League Stories from February 3, 2009


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