Mudbugs Weekly

December 15, 2004 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs News Release


BIG THIRD PERIOD BLASTS OILERS – With a strong defensive effort and three goals in the third period, the Mudbugs defeated the Tulsa Oilers on Saturday night 3-1 at the Tulsa Convention Center. Oilers leading scorer Olivier Maltais gave Tulsa the early 1-0 lead with a breakaway goal at 8:41, his 14th of the season. But after a scoreless second period, Craig Soke tied the game for the Mudbugs at 4:59 of the third with assists from Brett Smith and Craig Minard. Then the Mudbugs took full control of the game with two goals just 33 seconds apart from Scott Sheppard and Dan Wildfong for the 3-1 lead. Ken Carroll finished the night with 33 saves and improved his record to 7-2-1.

COMEBACK FALLS JUST SHORT – On Sunday evening, the Wichita Thunder jumped out to a 4-0 lead and held off a third period comeback attempt by the Mudbugs to earn a 5-3 win at the Kansas Coliseum. Wichita started to build their lead early in the game with goals from Joe Blaznek and Paul Esdale to claim a 2-0 lead after one period. In the second period, the Thunder made it 3-0 on a Chad Mazurak deflection past Carroll and Les Hrapchak started the third period with a long slap shot past the Mudbugs netminder to give Wichita a 4-0 edge. However, the Mudbugs power play would go to work midway through the final frame with goals from Chris Brassard, Ryan Manitowich, and Scott Sheppard to cut the deficit to one. But the Thunder sealed the win with an empty-net goal from Travis Clayton for the 5-3 victory.

MORE THIRD PERIOD MAGIC – On a Tuesday morning "Kid's Day" game at the Fort Worth Convention Center, the Mudbugs put together another impressive third period effort and defeated the first place Fort Worth Brahmas 3-1 in front of a crowd of 9,142. The win improved the Mudbugs' record to 11-7-3 overall and was the third straight game where they have scored three goals in the third period. Trailing 1-0 in the third, the Mudbugs tied the game when Matt Nicholson fired a one-timer past Brahmas goaltender Dan Murphy for his second goal of the year. Less than four minutes later, Brett Smith jammed a puck past Murphy to give the Mudbugs the lead and Forbes MacPherson added the insurance to give the Mudbugs the win.

MUDBUGS STARS OF THE WEEK

Ken Carroll – Two wins with just one goal against in each versus Tulsa and Fort Worth

Ryan Manitowich – One goal Sunday vs. Wichita and two assists in Tuesday's victory vs. Fort Worth

Scott Sheppard – Goals versus Tulsa and Wichita to increase his total to eight this season

MUDBUGS WIVES CHARITY BALL – This weekend at the Mudbugs home games at the CenturyTel Center, don't forget to pick up your tickets for the Mudbugs Wives Charity Ball which takes place on Saturday January 15, 2005 at Sam's Town Casino. Proceeds for the event will benefit the American Diabetes Association and tickets will be on sale outside the Swamp Shack at the concourse level of the arena. For more information on the Mudbugs Wives Charity Ball please e-mail mudbugwivescharityball@hotmail.com.

MUDBUGS IN THE COMMUNITY

December 16th – Marshall Outdoor Skating Rink – Mudbugs players will be skating with fans and teaching hockey at the outdoor rink in Marshall, TX at 6:00 p.m.

POWER PLAY WITH SCOTT MUSCUTT RETURNS – On Tuesday December 21st, "Power Play with Scott Muscutt" will return to the Sundance Cantina at Boomtown Casino and will be held thirty minutes earlier (5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.) due to a radio programming conflict. Each show, hosted by Mudbugs play-by-play broadcast Steve Mears, features various hockey guests in addition to Coach Muscutt, questions from the audience, and live Mudbugs prize giveaways on Tuesday nights.

THIS WEEK – The Mudbugs will host the Fort Worth Brahmas on Friday at 7:05 p.m. at the CenturyTel Center. Then the Memphis RiverKings come to town on Saturday for another 7:05 p.m. faceoff. All fans are encouraged to bring new unwrapped toys for children of all ages to the gates which will be donated to the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation as part of the Mudbugs' annual Christmas toy drive.



Central Hockey League Stories from December 15, 2004


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