Mudbugs Start Playoffs with Game 1 Win
April 1, 2011 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs News Release
BOSSIER CITY, LA - David Rutherford scored two goals and the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs overcame two deficits to edge the Arizona Sundogs 3-2 in Game 1 of their Berry Conference Opening Round series Friday night at the CenturyTel Center. The Mudbugs will now have the chance to take a 2-0 series lead in Saturday's Game 2 at the CenturyTel Center.
Special teams were the difference in Game 1 as Bossier-Shreveport scored two powerplay goals on six chances and put up a stifling 6-6 penalty killing effort. Rutherford's first tally tied the game in the second period, while his second put the âBugs ahead for good. Jeff Kyrzakos notched the other Mudbugs goal and Ryan Munce made 27 saves to win his first playoff appearance with the club.
After a feeling-out period early in the opening frame, Arizona scored the first goal of the series as Munce made a great save on Joey Sides in the slot only to see him knock in the rebound. The âBugs tied the game on the powerplay as Shawn Limpright drove the puck out front before Jeff Kyrzakos chipped a second chance past Scott Reid at 14:40 to even the score at one. Only 17 seconds later however, Craig MacDonald stole a puck in the Mudbugs' zone and buried it to give Arizona a 2-1 edge through 20 minutes.
Bossier-Shreveport knotted the scored again on the powerplay early in the second frame when Justin Aikins sent a pass from the corner back to the point for David Rutherford, who one-timed a shot into the top corner 1:08. That score remained through most of the period until Andy Contois slipped a pass out front that deflected off Rutherford's skate and through Reid's five-hole at 15:07 to give the Mudbugs the lead at 3-2 going into the third.
The âBugs were able to maintain that lead throughout the final period while outshooting the Sundogs 8-6. Three more successful penalty kills capped the victory, including one in the final minutes when Arizona pulled Reid to gain a 6-on-4 advantage.
Ryan Munce (1-0) looked strong in his first CHL playoff game with 27 saves including a number of tough ones. Scott Reid (0-1) stopped 29 shots in the loss as the Mudbugs finished with a 32-29 shot advantage.
The teams will now get ready for Saturday's Game 2 of the series, which is set for 7:05 pm at the CenturyTel Center as Bossier-Shreveport looks to take a 2-0 series lead before traveling to Arizona for Game 3 on Tuesday.
Mudbugs playoff packages and group tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by phone at 318-752-BUGS or in person at the team office inside the CenturyTel. Single game playoff tickets are also available now and can be purchased at the CenturyTel Center box office, through Ticketmaster at 318-741-9700 or online at www.ticketmaster.com. For all the latest team news and information, visit www.mudbugshockey.com.
Central Hockey League Stories from April 1, 2011
- Marino, Mallards Rally Past Eagles in O.T. 4-3 - Quad City Mallards
- Rush Score Five Unanswered to Top Gems 5-4 in Game #1 - Rapid City Rush
- Mudbugs Start Playoffs with Game 1 Win - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
- Gems drop playoff opener to Rapid City, 5-4 - Dayton Gems
- Americans Fool Bees 4-2, Take 2-0 Series Lead - Allen Americans
- RiverKings Hold Back Oilers, Lead Series 2-0 - Mississippi RiverKings
- Nolan's shutout, Coccimiglio's hat trick tie series at 1-1 - Kansas City Mavericks
- Bees fall to Allen - Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees
- Sundogs Drop Game 1, Fall 3-2 to Mudbugs - Arizona Sundogs
- Mavs Power Past Thunder to Even Series - Wichita Thunder
- Shots from the Point for April 1, 2011 - CHL
- Mudbugs to Open Playoffs Tonight - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
- Bloomington PrairieThunder Weekend Preview - Bloomington PrairieThunder
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