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Mudbugs Weekly

February 2, 2009 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs News Release


LAST WEEK

Monday, January 26 vs. Laredo CenturyTel Center W 4-3

GAME NOTES: Monday night the Mudbugs and Bucks met for the fourth and final time this year at the CTC. Laredo jumped out to a 2-0 lead by the early second period, but the 'Bugs scored three times to take a 3-2 lead into the third. The lead was extended to 4-2 when Laredo accidentally shot the puck into its own net while goaltender Sebastien Centomo was on the bench during a delayed penalty call against the Mudbugs. That goal was credited to defenseman Dave Pszenyczny and turned out being the game-winner when the Bucks scored late to make it 4-3.

Tuesday, January 27 at Mississippi DeSoto Civic Center W 2-1

GAME NOTES: Just over 12 hours after they stepped off the ice in Monday's win vs. Laredo, the Mudbugs were right back at it in Mississippi, facing off against the RiverKings at 10:00 am in their "Face Off Field Trip" kids' game. Mississippi went on top 1-0 on Bobby Chaumont's first period tally, and the game stayed that way through the second period and into the third. Dave Pszenyczny and Joe Ori scored just two minutes apart mid-way through the period to put the 'Bugs on top to stay. Ken Carroll made 39 saves as Bossier-Shreveport earned its second victory in a span of only 18 hours.

Friday, January 30 vs. Rapid City CenturyTel Center W 4-2

GAME NOTES: Friday night the Rush made their first ever visit to the CenturyTel Center to take on the Mudbugs. In his first game back from a 20-game injury absence, Kevin Cooper scored twice in the first period to give the 'Bugs leads of 1-0 and 2-1. With the game tied at two in the second period, Mark Johnson batted a puck out of mid-air and into the net to put the Mudbugs on top for good. Joe Ori added a late powerplay goal to finish off the 4-2 win. Ken Carroll was stellar in net with 44 saves.

Saturday, January 31 vs. Wichita CenturyTel Center W 2-1

GAME NOTES: Wichita visited Bossier City on Saturday night for its third meeting with Bossier-Shreveport this year. After a scoreless first period, Tyrel Lucas and J.J. Martin both scored in the second to give the Mudbugs a 2-0 advantage. Scott Rozendal then got the Thunder on the board later in the second to make it a 2-1 game after two periods. Jon Horrell handled the rest in the third, making 14 saves in that period alone and finishing with 37 on the night in a 2-1 'Bugs victory.

THIS WEEK

Tuesday, February 3 vs. Oklahoma City CenturyTel Center 7:05 pm

GAME NOTES: The Mudbugs and Blazers meet for the second time this season on Tuesday night at the CTC. In the first meeting between the teams, Oklahoma City rallied from three separate one-goal deficits to eventually win the game in a shootout at the Ford Center. The teams are currently tied in the standings, so first place in the Northeast Division will be on the line when the 'Bugs and Blazers clash on Tuesday night.

Friday, February 6 vs. Oklahoma City CenturyTel Center 7:05 pm

GAME NOTES: Oklahoma City will make its second appearance this week and last one of the season at CenturyTel Center on Friday night. The two games in Bossier City this week constitute half of the four regular season meetings between the two division rivals this year, making each one even more important. Their final head-to-head game will be at the Ford Center later this month.

Saturday, February 7 vs. Texas CenturyTel Center 7:05 pm

GAME NOTES: The 'Bugs will renew their rivalry with the Brahmas on Saturday night at the CenturyTel Center for the eighth time this season. Texas has won six consecutive games in the rivalry since the Mudbugs won 5-1 in the first meeting of the year on opening night. The Brahmas are tied with Odessa for first place in the Southern Conference entering this week. The Mudbugs haven't faced Texas since a 4-3 Brahmas win on December 23.

'Bugs Sweep the Four-Game Week

The Mudbugs had a busy and very successful run of four wins last week. After an impressive pair of wins over Laredo and Mississippi in an 18-hour span on Monday and Tuesday, the 'Bugs followed that up by knocking off Rapid City and Wichita over the weekend to stay in a first-place tie with Oklahoma City in the Northeast Division. The current four-game run ties Bossier-Shreveport's longest winning streak of the season.

Look Out Lawrence

Mudbugs center Travis Clayton stands just two points away from becoming the second-leading scorer in CHL history. Clayton currently has 874 points in his CHL career, only one shy of Doug Lawrence's career total. Lawrence spent most of his ten CHL seasons with Tulsa, but also played part of one year for the Mudbugs. Clayton has already become the league's all-time leader in games played this year and passed Lawrence for second in career assists.

Cooper's Comeback

If forward Kevin Cooper felt rusty Friday night in his first game since December 12, it certainly didn't look like it. The shifty second-year Mudbug came back from a 20-game injury absence and scored two goals in the first eight minutes of the game on his way to first-star honors as the 'Bugs beat Rapid City. The second of those two goals was also the 100th of Cooper's professional career, giving him 199 pro points when you add in his 99 career assists. The 27-year-old Toronto native now has 21 points (11g, 10a) in 23 games this year.

29 Straight and Counting

After allowing at least one powerplay goal in six consecutive games, the Mudbugs penalty killing unit is perfect in its last four contests, going 26-for-26 in that time. Dating back to the first period against Rio Grande Valley on January 24th, the 'Bugs have killed off 29 straight powerplays against. Bossier-Shreveport ranks fourth in the CHL with a PK percentage of 85.4% entering this week. The Mudbugs have had more powerplay chances than their opponent just once in their past 15 games.

Consistently Carroll

Goaltender Ken Carroll has been fantastic for the Mudbugs of late, posting an 8-1-1 mark in his last ten starts. Carroll has been tested with 85 shots against in his past two games, but has made 82 saves and only surrendered three goals. Add in Monday's win against Laredo and Carroll has stopped 108 shots as the Mudbugs have won his last three starts, improving his season record to 15-5-2. The 8th year Mudbugs goaltender is tied for first in the CHL with a .926 saves percentage and ranks fifth with a 2.47 goals-against average.

The Comforts of Home

Following a travel-heavy stretch of the schedule, the Mudbugs have now started their longest homestand of the season with seven straight at home. The homestand, which started Friday night, is Bossier-Shreveport's only one of the season lasting longer than three games. Ten of the 'Bugs prior 15 games had been away from the CTC, but now they won't play on the road again until February 20 at Arizona. In total, 15 of the team's last 23 games will be played in Bossier City.

One-Timers

Joe Blaznek is coming up on 600 points in his pro career, with 592 entering this week... Joe Ori needs one more goal to reach 100 in his four-year pro career... Tyrel Lucas played his 100th professional game Friday night vs. Rapid City... Todd Paul's next assist will be his 100th as a pro...

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.



Central Hockey League Stories from February 2, 2009


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.

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