Mudbugs Weekly

Published on October 27, 2008 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs News Release


MUDBUGS UNBEATEN THROUGH FOUR

The Mudbugs are off to one of the best starts in franchise history with wins in all of their first four games of the season entering this week. The only other time in their franchise history that the Bugs started a season 4-0-0 was their inaugural year of 1997-98, when they won their first five games before suffering their first loss of the season.

SPECIAL TEAMS ARE PLAYING LIKE IT

Bossier-Shreveport has started off the season impressively in special teams situations, sporting the top ranked powerplay unit and #2 penalty kill in the CHL. The Mudbugs have scored at least two powerplay goals in every game this year and converted at a league-best 33.3 percent (10 for 30). On the other end of the ice, the Bugs have surrendered just three powerplay goals in 28 shorthanded situations, good for a penalty killing percentage of 89.3.

"SMITTY" ROASTS THE RIVERKINGS

In a pair of 6-2 victories over Mississippi last week, fourth year Mudbugs forward Brett Smith recorded six points to take over the team lead in scoring with nine points in four games. Tuesday night in Mississippi, Smith scored on goal and assisted on another as the Bugs earned their first divisional win of the season. Then on Saturday at CenturyTel Center, Smith scored two goals and even strength and another shorthanded for the fourth hat trick of his Mudbugs career. He also had an assist to complete a four-point night as Bossier-Shreveport again bested the RiverKings.

CARROLL TO IR, HORRELL RETURNS

With Mudbugs goaltender Ken Carroll headed to injured reserve on Saturday, Bossier-Shreveport signed Jon Horrell to step back into the lineup against Mississippi. The third-year pro netminder attending training camp and looked good in exhibition play before being released prior to the start of the season. Rookie Ryan Mior was between the pipes for Saturday's win against the RiverKings, his second as a pro. Mior stopped 16 of 18 shots to move to 2-0 on the season.

SAY HELLO TO PSZENYCZNY

The Mudbugs also signed defenseman David Pszenyczny (pronounced pshe-NICHE-nee) prior to Saturday's game with Mississippi. The third-year pro from Sterling Heights, Michigan was +1 with one shot on goal and four penalty minutes during his Mudbugs debut against the RiverKings. Pszenyczny has played the past two seasons in the ECHL and also appeared in four AHL games with Toronto in 2006-07. The 23-year-old blueliner also played 261 games of Major Junior hockey over five seasons in the Ontario Hockey League.

LAST WEEK

Tuesday, October 21 at Mississippi DeSoto Civic Center W 6-2

GAME NOTES: Joe Blaznek, Kevin Cooper and Travis Clayton all had three points apiece as the Mudbugs earned a solid 6-2 victory in their first divisional game of the season. Bossier-Shreveport scored three third-period goals to break the game wide open and cruise to their third win of the season.

Saturday, October 25 vs. Mississippi CenturyTel Center W 6-2

GAME NOTES: The Bugs got a hat trick and four points from Brett Smith and three assists each from Chris Brassard and Tyrel Lucas to beat the RiverKings 6-2 for the second time in five days. Travis Clayton also had two helpers and Ryan Mior earned his second win in his second professional start to help the Mudbugs move to 4-0-0 on the season.

THIS WEEK

Thursday, October 30 vs. Colorado CenturyTel Center 7:05PM

GAME NOTES: The Colorado Eagles visit CenturyTel Center on Thursday night in a battle of undefeated CHL powerhouses. The Eagles have started off the season with an impressive 6-0-0 mark, scoring a league-high 32 goals along the way. Colorado is coming off its third trip to the President's Cup Finals in just five years in 07-08, where they were denied their third Championship by the Arizona Sundogs. This is the first of two Eagles appearances at the CenturyTel Center this season, while the Bugs make one visit to Colorado next month.

Friday, October 31 at Tulsa BOK Center 7:35PM

GAME NOTES: The Oilers are off to a rocky start in 08-09, going 0-2-1 in their first three games. After getting a point in a shootout loss to in-state rival Oklahoma City on opening night, Tulsa suffered a shocking 12-3 defeat in Corpus Christi the next night. The Oilers then fell 5-1 to the Blazers on Saturday night in their home opener at the brand new BOK Center in Tulsa. The first-ever game at the Oilers' new home drew the second-largest crowd in CHL history: 16,982 fans.

TICKET INFORMATION: Season and group tickets for the 2008-09 season of Mudbugs hockey are available at the team office: 2000 CenturyTel Center Drive, Bossier City, LA 71129. 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: All Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs games, both home and away, are broadcast live on "The Home of the Legends" AM 1130 KWKH or Newsradio 710 AM KEEL in Shreveport. Both stations provide free online streaming online at www.kwkhonline.com and www.710keel.com.

CHL Network: Never Miss Another Away Game! The Central Hockey League and Network Foundation Technologies are pleased to renew their partnership that will provide a "FREE-for-View" experience for all CHL hockey fans through the CHL Network. The 2008-2009 CHL season will be broadcast live over the Internet utilizing Network Foundation Technologies' NiFTy Online Television product.

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