Mudbugs Week in Review

Published on March 1, 2004 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs News Release


BUGS BLOWOUT FORT WORTH – On Friday night, the Mudbugs defeated the Fort Worth Brahmas for the ninth time this season and ended a three-game skid with an 8-0 victory at the Fort Worth Convention Center. Jason Campbell started the scoring with two quick goals past Brahmas goaltender Tyler Nilsson in the game's first seven minutes. At 15:16 of the opening frame, Travis Bell then walked into the Brahmas' zone and fired a wrist shot past Nilsson to give the Mudbugs a 3-0 lead after one period. Erasmo Saltarelli relieved Nilsson in the second period for Fort Worth, but the Mudbugs would not back down. Chad Spurr and Ryan Manitowich each scored twice and Chris Brassard added a third period goal to help cushion the lead. Jeff Blair made 26 saves and recorded two assists as he posted his third shutout of the season.

OILERS SCORE FIVE IN A ROW – Tulsa goaltender Tim Kelleher made 48 saves including 17 in the first period to lead his team to a 5-1 victory over the Mudbugs on Saturday night at the Tulsa Convention Center. The Bugs peppered Kelleher early with many scoring chances, including several on the game's first power play chance, but the rookie netminder stood his ground. However, after the scoreless opening frame, Chris Brassard fired a backhander from a sharp angle past Kelleher for his 22nd goal of the season just fifty seconds into the second period. But the Oilers got three second period goals in just 1:45, including two from Chris Page and claimed the 5-1 win.

BEST OF THE BEST – On Sunday, Craig Soke recorded his first professional hat trick and Jeff Blair made 35 saves in net as the Mudbugs defeated the Laredo Bucks in a showdown of the top two teams in the Central Hockey League. Jason Campbell gave the Mudbugs an early 1-0 lead, but Laredo then scored twice on their first three power play chances. However, Dan Wildfong countered with a tying goal on the power play after taking a Chris Brassard pass with 1:09 left in the first period. Soke gave the Mudbugs the lead early in the second and then added two in the third period to seal a 5-2 victory. The game featured a total of 21 power play chances and 110 penalty minutes between the two teams. The Mudbugs now own a record of 38-14-4 and have split their first two games of the year against Laredo.

MUDBUGS STARS OF THE WEEK

Chris Brassard – Points in ten of his last eleven games

Dan Wildfong – Returned after taking a slap shot in the face last week and had two multi-point games

Jeff Blair – Third professional shutout on Friday, all coming this season with the Mudbugs

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DR. SEUSS! – On Wednesday March 3rd, six Mudbugs players will appear at Creswell Elementary School in Shreveport to celebrate the birthday of Dr. Seuss. Quade Lightbody, Jason Campbell, Ken Carroll, Travis Bell, Jeff Blair, and Craig Minard will all appear from 12:45-2:00 p.m. to read Dr. Seuss books to students in various classrooms.

MUDBUGS AT NEW ISLE OF CAPRI RESTAURANT – Also on Wednesday March 3rd, the Mudbugs will appear at the grand opening of Kitt's Kitchen & Rum Mill at the Isle of Capri Casino in Bossier City. The players will be on hand from 5-8:00 p.m. to meet fans, sign autographs and eat some crawfish. K94.5 FM will also be broadcasting live from the event.

THIS WEEK – On Tuesday, the Mudbugs host the Memphis RiverKings for a 7:05 p.m. faceoff at the CenturyTel Center. Bossier-Shreveport is 4-4-1 against the RiverKings this season. On Friday, the Corpus Christi Rayz visit the Mudbugs for another 7:05 p.m. start. Memphis then returns to Bossier City on Saturday night for the final matchup of the year at the CenturyTel Center between the two rivals. Saturday's matchup will also feature the President's Cup on display during the game and the first 2,500 fans will receive Nextel CheerStix. Then on Sunday, the Mudbugs make their final trip of the year to Corpus Christi to meet the Rayz in a 3:05 p.m. showdown.

MUDBUGS RECORD THIS WEEK: 2-1-0

OVERALL RECORD: 38-14-4 1st Place in Northeast Division (80 points)

HOME RECORD: 21-4-2

ROAD RECORD: 17-10-2

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Central Hockey League Stories from March 1, 2004


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central