Mudbugs Week in Review

Published on March 10, 2004 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs News Release


NORTHEAST DIVISION CHAMPIONS – On Friday night, the Mudbugs clinched the 2004 Northeast Division Title with a 2-0 shutout of the Corpus Christi Rayz in front of 5,009 fans at the CenturyTel Center. Ken Carroll made 17 saves in his third shutout of the year and 13th of his career. The win was also the Mudbugs' third of the year in three games against Corpus Christi. For the fifth consecutive game, the Mudbugs recorded the first goal as Jim Sprott's shot from the blue line hit the back glass and dropped to the side of the crease where it was knocked in by Dan Wildfong for a 1-0 Mudbugs lead. The Bugs then got the game's final goal at 3:59 of the second period as a Sprott shot was deflected by Craig Soke. The division title is the Mudbugs' first since the 1999-2000 season.

MEMPHIS RALLIES AGAIN – For the second time in a week, the Memphis RiverKings overcame a multi-goal deficit at the CenturyTel Center and defeated the Mudbugs on Saturday night, 5-4 in a shootout. After a scoreless first period, the Mudbugs took control of the game with three straight goals in the second from Forbes MacPherson, Chris Brassard, and Ryan Manitowich. However, Memphis marched back in the third period after Derek Landmesser and Travis Bell traded goals just 25 seconds apart. Brad Mueller scored twice and Jay Neal deflected a shot past Mudbugs goaltender Jeff Blair with 1:02 left in regulation to tie the game at 4-4. After neither team scored in overtime, they went into a shootout for the second time this year and Memphis tallied the game-winner from Brent Ozarowski. The game was the fifth consecutive one-goal contest between the Mudbugs and RiverKings.

BUGS DOWN CORPUS CHRISTI AGAIN – After suffering a frustrating loss on Saturday night, the Mudbugs responded with a dominant win over the Corpus Christi Rayz on Sunday afternoon, 5-1 at the Memorial Coliseum. The Mudbugs took control of the game early with 16 first-period shots, including several in the game's first minutes, and the opening goal from Jim Sprott on the power play as he deflected a Travis Bell shot. Dan Wildfong and Quade Lightbody then added second period goals for a 4-0 lead, before the Rayz got on the board with a Matt Medvecz goal. However, the Mudbugs shut down the Rayz in the third period, holding them to just six third period shots for the second time this week and Soke added an insurance tally.

STILL BEST OF THE BEST – On Tuesday afternoon in one of their greatest performances of the year, the Mudbugs became just the second team this season to win in regulation in Laredo as they knocked off the Laredo Bucks 4-1. The win improved the Mudbugs' record to 41-15-5 this year and ended the Bucks' CHL record 21-game home winning streak. Laredo fell to 48-8-6 overall and 27-2-1 on home ice. Special teams proved to be the key factor in the game as Jason Campbell scored the only goal of the first period on the power play. Laredo's Jeff Bes tied the game in the second period, but Jason Basile responded just 1:10 later and Craig Soke and Chris Brassard added insurance power play goals for the impressive win.

MUDBUGS STARS OF THE WEEK

Forbes MacPherson – Five-game point scoring streak

Chris Brassard – Points in 15 of the last 16 games

Craig Soke – On Friday, became the fourth rookie in Mudbugs history to notch 20 goals in a season

THIS WEEK – On Friday, the Mudbugs will travel to Memphis to meet the RiverKings for the final time during the regular season. The game will be broadcast on KWKH AM 1130 starting at 6:45 p.m. Then on Saturday, the Mudbugs begin the final homestand of the regular season with a 7:05 p.m. faceoff with the Wichita Thunder at the CenturyTel Center. The Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees then make their first ever trip to Bossier-Shreveport on Sunday for a 5:05 p.m. start. Next week, the Mudbugs will host Game One of the 2004 Northern Conference Semifinals on Friday March 19th against an opponent to be determined. Game two will be Saturday March 20th, also at 7:05 p.m. at the CenturyTel Center.

MUDBUGS RECORD THIS WEEK: 3-0-1

OVERALL RECORD: 41-15-5

1st Place in Northeast Division (87 points)

HOME RECORD: 22-5-3

ROAD RECORD: 19-10-2

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Central Hockey League Stories from March 10, 2004


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