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Mudbugs Weekly Release for Monday, March 15

March 15, 2010 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs News Release


LAST WEEK

Saturday, March 13 at Mississippi DeSoto Civic Center L 6-4 GAME NOTES: Mississippi scored four times in 11 powerplay opportunities to beat the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs 6-4 Saturday night at the DeSoto Civic Center. After falling behind 2-0 in the first period, the Mudbugs got within one goal four separate times, but never could net the equalizer. Joe Blaznek scored a goal and added two assists in the game, while Dave Pszenyczny had a goal and an assist and Brett Smith chipped in two helpers. Jason Deleurme also notched a goal in his first game as a Mudbug. A total of 18 powerplays and four two-man advantages were handed out in the game.

Sunday, March 14 vs. Corpus Christi CenturyTel Center W 5-4 GAME NOTES: The Mudbugs held off a Corpus Christi rally to defeat the IceRays 5-4 and earn their 35th victory of the season Sunday afternoon at the CenturyTel Center. With the win, the Mudbugs move to within one point of clinching the third seed in the Northern Conference playoffs. Brett Smith and Joe Blaznek each scored shorthanded goals and added assists in the game as the ‘Bugs built a 3-0 lead before Corpus Christi started its comeback. Tyrel Lucas added two assists to help Bossier-Shreveport to its fifth win in six games against the IceRays this season.

THIS WEEK

Tuesday, March 16 vs. Mississippi CenturyTel Center 7:05 pm GAME NOTES: The Mudbugs and RiverKings will meet for the tenth and final time this year Tuesday night in a rescheduled game at the CTC. Both teams have clinched playoff spots in the Northern Conference, but exact seeds haven't been determined for either club. The ‘Bugs can clinch the third seed with one more point (or a point lost by the ‘Kings), which would force Mississippi into the best-of-three opening round series as either the fourth or fifth seed. The Mudbugs have won six of the previous nine meetings with the RiverKings this year, although Mississippi won the last game 6-4 last week.

Thursday, March 18 vs. Tulsa CenturyTel Center 7:05 pm GAME NOTES: Tulsa comes to town for Thursday night's game having been officially eliminated from playoff contention for the sixth straight year. Missouri clinched the last playoff spot in the North on Sunday, leaving the Oilers playing for pride down the stretch. The Mudbugs have beaten Tulsa in 13 consecutive games dating back to last season and will try to finish undefeated against the Oilers for the second straight year on Thursday.

Friday, March 19 vs. Missouri CenturyTel Center 7:05 pm GAME NOTES: The Mudbugs and Mavericks will close out their five-game regular season series Friday night as the ‘Bugs retire the #33 jersey of former Captain Jim Sprott in their home finale. The Mudbugs are 2-1-1 this year against the Mavs, who have clinched a playoff spot and will finish their inaugural season with either the fourth or fifth seed in the North. Missouri trails Mississippi by only one point in the standings entering this week.

Saturday, March 20 at Texas NyTex Sports Centre 7:05 pm GAME NOTES: The CHL regular season will conclude with a great rivalry game Saturday night in North Richland Hills as the Mudbugs meet the Texas Brahmas for the final time this year. The ‘Bugs lead the season series with the Brahmas 4-3 this season, winning the last meeting 4-2 after trailing 2-0 in the second period. Texas has clinched a playoff spot, but trails Laredo by three points for third place in the Southern Conference entering this week. If the Brahmas can't catch the Bucks, they will likely finish in fourth place and take on the fifth seed in the best-of-three opening round series.

WEEKLY NOTES

A Busy Final Week As the ‘Bugs enter the last week of the regular season, they are also in the midst of their toughest stretch of the season with six games in the final eight days of 2009-10. Bossier-Shreveport is one of only two CHL teams (Rapid City being the other) with four games left in the regular season as of today. Starting Saturday night in Mississippi, the Mudbugs have a game every day except today and Wednesday until the regular season ends Saturday night in Texas. Bossier-Shreveport had five consecutive days off for the first time in five weeks prior to last weekend, a much needed rest after playing 11 games over the previous 17 days. That stretch included three consecutive weekends of three-in-three.

March Madness, CHL Style With only five days and no more than four games remaining for any team in the 2009-10 season, nine of the ten CHL playoff teams have been determined, but just two seeds are locked in place. Sunday's 5-4 win over Corpus Christi brought the Mudbugs within one point of clinching the third seed in the Northern Conference over Mississippi. The ‘Bugs have four more chances to get at least one point, which would set them up for a first round playoff bye and a date with either Colorado or Rapid City in the second round. Only Odessa (1st in the Southern Conference) and Allen (2nd in the South) know exactly where they will finish in the playoff picture. Every other seed in the postseason has yet to be clinched. The only playoff spot still up for grabs is the fifth spot in the South, where Corpus Christi needs one more victory to eliminate Rio Grande Valley.

Deleurme's Debut Forward Jason Deleurme played his first two games as a Mudbug last weekend after returning from Europe to join the club for the stretch run. Deleurme, who was acquired from Wichita with Jim Jorgensen in a trade last month, played on a line with Brett Smith and Joe Blaznek last weekend. Wearing jersey #12, the 12th year pro scored a goal and had four shots on net while skating to a +2 rating in his Mudbugs debut on Saturday. Deleurme has played over 500 pro games in his career, totaling more than 400 points and 800 penalty minutes while playing mostly in Europe. He played in both Colorado and Wichita this year before going overseas to Sweden. Deleurme also won an ECHL Kelly Cup Championship with Peoria in 2000. Leader of the Pack The race for the Mudbugs' leading scorer is a tight one this year, with Joe Blaznek and Travis Clayton currently tied for the team lead at 48 points apiece. In all, six players are within five points of the team lead in scoring. Blaznek has registered five points (2g, 3a) in his last two games in his bid to lead the ‘Bugs in points for the second consecutive year, while Clayton has paced the club for most of the season. Shawn Limpright, Brett Smith, Jeff Kyrzakos, and Simon Mangos are all in the hunt for the team lead in scoring as well.

Goaltenders Beware Forwards Joe Blaznek and Jeff Kyrzakos have been in a tight race for the team lead in goal scoring recently and are separated by just one goal with four games remaining. Blaznek, who now has nine career 20-goal seasons, notched his 22nd of the year Sunday against Corpus Christi to pull back into the team lead. Kyrzakos' 21 goals this year have tied his career high from the 2007-08 season. Although the ‘Bugs do not have a single player in the CHL's top 25 goal scorers, they are one of only four teams with 11 players who have scored at least ten goals this season.

Mangos for M.O.D. Mudbugs defenseman Simon Mangos has been honored as one of five finalists for this year's CHL Most Outstanding Defenseman Award, whose winner will be announced by the league on Friday. The second year Mudbug is tied for fourth among CHL defenseman with 43 points this year, a total which ties his career high set two years ago in England. Mangos also ranks among the league's top six defensemen in goals (12) and assists (31) and is tied for the team lead in helpers. The other four finalists for the award are Odessa's Alex Dunn, Tulsa's Derek Eastman, Colorado's Aaron Schneekloth and Rapid City's Jamie VanderVeeken.

Loose Pucks Bossier-Shreveport has scored 14 goals in their past three games (4.66 per)... The ‘Bugs scored two shorthanded goals on Sunday for the first time since February 15, 2008 (a 9-0 win over Odessa)... Mudbugs players have combined for a total of 18 two-goal games this year without a single hat trick... F Joe Blaznek scored his 200th CHL goal on Saturday... Saturday was F David Rutherford's 100th pro game... F Shawn Limpright has 12 points (3g, 9a) in his last ten games... D Chris St. Croix is one assist away from 200... G Ken Carroll has two assists this year and G John DeCaro has one... The Mudbugs have now won at least 35 games in 11 of the 13 years in their history...

TICKET INFORMATION: Mini-plans and group ticket packages for the 2009-10 season of Mudbugs hockey are available at the team office: 2000 CenturyTel Center Drive, Bossier City, LA 71112. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. Individual game tickets can be purchased at the CenturyTel Center box office between 9:30 am and 4:30 pm Monday - Friday, by calling Ticketmaster at (318) 741-9700, or online at Ticketmaster.com. For more information, visit www.mudbugshockey.com or call the team office at (318) 752-2847.

MUDBUGS RADIO: Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs games, both home and away, are broadcast live on "The Home of the Legends" AM 1130 KWKH and News Radio 710 AM KEEL in Shreveport. Both stations provide free online streaming online at www.kwkhonline.com and www.710keel.com.

CHL TV: New for 2009-10 is the latest version of CHL-TV, powered by Insinc Netcasting. Fans will have the chance to watch all 480 games on the CHL's regular season schedule for a small pay-per-view price. Packages are available as well that give fans the chance to order a month at a time or the entire season. All game archives are offered to catch up on the games you missed for just $3.95. Visit http://chltv.insinc.com for more information.

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

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