Mudbugs Red-Hot Powerplay Burns Brahmas

Published on March 22, 2008 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs News Release


BOSSIER CITY, LA - A season high five powerplay goals propelled the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs to a dominating 7-1 victory over the Texas Brahmas on Friday night at CenturyTel Center . Four second period goals put the Bugs in control and helped them to their fifth win of the season over Texas in the 11th and final regular season meeting between the teams.

Kevin Cooper had two goals and an assist, Karlis Zirnis scored twice and both Ryan Fairbarn and Tyrel Lucas had a goal and an assist as Bossier-Shreveport reached the seven goal mark for the fourth time this season. The Mudbugs converted five of nine powerplay chances in the game, including both of their 5-on-3's.

The game started with an early penalty to Chris Brassard that put Texas on the powerplay. Kevin McLeod stuffed the puck past John DeCaro to complete a give-and-go with Jordan Cameron and put Texas on top early on. The lead wouldn't last long though, as Bossier-Shreveport countered with a powerplay goal of its own. With Brent MacSween in the penalty box, Elias Godoy fired a shot from the left circle that was stopped by Brett Jaeger. Lucas was there to pick up the rebound and put it home on his second try to tie the game at one just 1:06 after the Brahmas scored. The Bugs missed on two more powerplays and the Brahmas missed on three more as the first period ended 1-1.

Then Bossier-Shreveport took over in the second period, scoring four times and finishing with a 16-2 shot advantage. Cooper got things started in the middle frame, picking up the second chance rebound of a Ryan Fairbarn shot and tucking it behind Jaeger on the first two-man advantage to put the Bugs on top 2-1. Fairbarn then got a 5-on-3 goal of his own, following his own shot this time and sliding home his 7th of the year a few minutes later. Then the momentum carried over to even strength when Cooper's wraparound try deflected in for his second of the night and 27th of the year. That goal was followed exactly 30 seconds later by Daniel Pegoraro's laser to the top shelf off of a great feed from Lucas to complete the second period with a 5-1 Mudbugs lead.

Zirnis then scored both of his goals on the powerplay in the latter half of the third period to complete the scoring. Brassard set up the first one with a sweet cross-ice pass that Zirnis one-timed home to make it 6-1. Zirnis then buried a powerplay rebound with just under two minutes remaining for his 8th of the year to cap the 7-1 victory.

Bossier-Shreveport outshot Texas by a 46-16 margin overall in the contest, holding the Brahmas to a 1 for 7 night on the powerplay compared to the Bugs' five-goal outburst on the man advantage. DeCaro stopped 15 shots to earn his 26th win of the year, putting the CHL's Most Outstanding Goaltender award winner back into a tie with Texas ' David Cacciola for the league lead in wins.

The Mudbugs' focus now turns to the regular season finale Saturday night at CenturyTel Center against Rocky Mountain . Saturday's game at 7:05 could make or break the Rage's season. A late come-from-behind win over Tulsa on Friday, paired with Colorado's second straight loss in Youngstown means that Rocky Mountain still has hope of qualifying for the playoffs. If the Eagles lose in regulation Saturday in Youngstown , a Rage win would make them the 2008 Northwest Division champions and earn them the second seed in the Northern Conference playoffs. A Colorado win or overtime loss or a Rocky Mountain non-win eliminates the Rage from playoff contention.

Don't miss the regular season finale as we raise the Mudbugs' division and Governor's Cup championship banners, welcome former LSU running back and Shreveport native Jacob Hester, wear special purple and gold jerseys to be auctioned off after the game, and giveaway the third set of Boomtown Mudbugs trading cards. All of those great events happen Saturday night for the Mudbugs and Rage at 7:05 at CenturyTel Center . Call Ticketmaster at 318-741-9700 for individual tickets or the Mudbugs office at 318-752-BUGS for group seats.

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Central Hockey League Stories from March 22, 2008


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