Mudbugs Sting Killer Bees in South Texas

February 22, 2011 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs News Release


HIDALGO, TX - Four goals on just 19 shots and a strong defensive effort paced the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs to a 4-1 victory over the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees Tuesday night at the State Farm Arena. The win completes a 4-2 season series win over Rio Grande Valley for the Mudbugs, who improve to 28-21-2 as they head home for "Pink in the Rink" weekend at the CenturyTel Center.

Playing his first game since January 8, Justin Aikins scored a goal and added two assists in the game, while Brett Smith also had a three-point night with that same stat line. Steven Crampton finished with a goal and an assist and John DeCaro (16-10-1) backstopped the effort with 26 saves in goal.

The Mudbugs were outshot 8-6 in the opening period, but killed off an early Killer Bees powerplay as the game stayed scoreless through 20 minutes. The ‚¬ËœBugs then capitalized on their first powerplay of the game as Brett Smith hit Justin Aikins streaking down the left wing. Aikins then drove to the front before backhanding a shot into the top corner to open the scoring in his first game back from a 16-game injury absence.

Bossier-Shreveport made it 2-0 when Steven Crampton broke down the right wing and ripped a perfect slapshot into the top corner over Juliano Pagliero ‚¬â„¢s glove just over three minutes later. The Killer Bees got back within one late in the period when Aaron Lewicki scored on a great pass from Darcy Campbell and it was a 2-1 Mudbug lead heading into the third.

The ‚¬ËœBugs re-gained the two-goal edge with another powerplay tally as Aikins centered a perfect feed to Smith, who slammed it home right in front of the net for a 3-1 lead. James DeLory then capped off the win, backhanding a rebound chance into the net for his sixth goal of the season at the 15:00 mark. The Bees outshot the Mudbugs 11-6

in the final stanza, but DeCaro made all the saves including a point-blank rebound chance from Tomas Klempa mid-way through the period.

Juliano Pagliero (19-19-3) finished the night with 15 saves as the ‚¬ËœBugs were outshot 27-19 in the ontest. Bossier-Shreveport converted both of their powerplays on the night, while Rio Grande Valley went 0 for 3.

The Mudbugs will now return home to host "Pink in the Rink" weekend, which begins Thursday at 6:35 pm against Bloomington and continues Saturday at 7:05 against the rival Texas Brahmas. One dollar from every single game and group ticket sold for the games will be donated to the Northwest Louisiana affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the entire weekend will be devoted to raising donations and awareness about breast cancer.

Mini-plans and group ticket packages for all home games are available now through the Mudbugs office at 752-BUGS. Individual tickets are on sale through Ticketmaster at 318-741-9700, online at www.ticketmaster.com or at the CenturyTel Center main box office. Visit www.mudbugshockey.com for more information about "Pink in the Rink" and all the latest team news.

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



Central Hockey League Stories from February 22, 2011


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