Mudbugs Week in Review
March 10, 2003 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs News Release
WILDFONG TAKES CARE OF TULSA â The Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs began the week desperately needing a win against the Tulsa Oilers on Friday to keep their playoff hopes alive. With three goals and two assists from Dan Wildfong, the Mudbugs defeated Tulsa 3-1. Both teams scored twice in the first period, including a shorthanded goal from Tulsa's Dallas Anderson. However, the Mudbugs took control of the game in the second period with Jay McGee scoring from the blue line and Wildfong completing the hat trick with his 26th goal of the season. Early in the third period, Jason Basile scored on a beautiful rush and Trevor Buchanan later added an empty-netter to seal the Mudbugs' 30th win of the season. Ken Carroll made 24 saves to help keep the Bugs' playoff hopes alive.
CARROLL OUTLASTS BARNES ONCE AGAIN â On Saturday, the Mudbugs made their final visit of the regular season to Austin in search of their third straight win over the Ice Bats. After a scoreless first period, Chris Brassard scored on the power play just thirty-six seconds into the second period with assists from Jim Sprott and Tony Bergin. Dan Wildfong then continued his hot streak with his 27th goal of the season, taking advantage of an Austin turnover. However, Austin's Shawn Legault made things interesting with a power play goal with fifteen seconds left in the second period. In the third, the Mudbugs shifted to defensive mode and got an insurance goal from David Oliver to claim a 3-1 win. Ken Carroll allowed one goal on 30 shots and Matt Barnes suffered the loss for Austin.
BUGS DEFEAT AUSTIN AGAIN IN SHOOTOUT â Bossier-Shreveport and Austin locked up for the second consecutive night on Sunday as the scene shifted to the CenturyTel Center. Again the game's key matchup featured goaltenders Matt Barnes and Ken Carroll going head-to-head for the fifth time this year. After playing nearly 40 minutes of scoreless hockey, Forbes MacPherson's last-second wrist shot from along the boards with 1.6 seconds left in the second period was tipped in by Jim Sprott to give the Mudbugs a 1-0 lead. In the third period, Austin would then get goals from Shawn Legault and Mike Rees to take a 2-1 lead. With just under four minutes left in the game, Jay McGee found Dru Burgess in the slot for a one-timer past Matt Barnes to tie the game. After a scoreless overtime, the Mudbugs and Ice Bats battled to a sixth round in the shootout with Craig Minard scoring the game-winning goal for a 3-2 Mudbugs win. Ken Carroll made 21 saves in the game and five shootout stops to improve to 4-1-0 with a 0.97 goals against average versus Austin this year.
MUDBUGS STARS OF THE WEEK
Dan Wildfong â Four goals and two assists including his five-point game on Friday vs. Tulsa
Ken Carroll â 3-0-0 in three games, including 29 saves on Saturday vs. Austin
Jay McGee â 1 goal, 1 assist and strong defensive play throughout the week
PLAYOFF PICTURE â The Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs are currently one point out of a playoff spot with three games remaining on the 2002-03 regular season. Indianapolis (85 points, 4 games left), Oklahoma City (77 points, 4 games left), Amarillo (74 points, 4 games left), and Memphis (74 points, 4 games left) are the top four seeds in the current Northern Conference standings.
THIS WEEK â The Mudbugs will host the Amarillo Gorillas on Friday in a pivotal Northern Conference matchup at the CenturyTel Center at 7:05 p.m. On Saturday, the Laredo Bucks will make their first ever visit to Bossier City, LA with a 7:05 face-off in the Mudbugs' regular season home finale. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster by calling 741-9700 or by visiting www.ticketmaster.com. The Bugs will then finish the 2002-03 regular season on Sunday at Corpus Christi for a 3:05 p.m. start.
Central Hockey League Stories from March 10, 2003
- Grab the edge of your seats - OSC Original by Mike Wallin
- Bats Enter Final Week - Austin Ice Bats
- Scorpions Weekly - New Mexico Scorpions
- CHL Tabs Week's Best - CHL
- Mudbugs Week in Review - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
- Ice Seeks Conference Gold - Indianapolis Ice
- Bucks Home Wednesday, Prepare for Playoffs - Laredo Bucks
- Oilers, Red Cross Sending Messages to Troops - Tulsa Oilers
- CHL Starts Handing out Awards - CHL
- Three is Still A Charm - Corpus Christi IceRays
- Saints Week in Review - San Angelo Saints
- Northern Conference Playoff Race Heating Up - Tulsa Oilers
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