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Mudbugs Weekly

February 23, 2009 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs News Release


LAST WEEK

Friday, February 20 at Arizona Tim's Toyota Center W 4-3

GAME NOTES: After six days off, the Mudbugs took on Arizona Friday night in their first-ever game at the Tim's Toyota Center in Prescott Valley, AZ. The 'Bugs scored first, but the Sundogs quickly came back to take a 2-1 lead. Neil Clark's second goal of the game and then another by Dale Lupul gave the Mudbugs a 3-2 advantage after the first period. Arizona tied the game at three with a powerplay goal late in the second period to set up a decisive third. Clark's long shot through a screen finished off his first career hat trick and propelled the 'Bugs to a 4-3 victory. Jon Horrell made 30 saves to earn the win in goal.

Saturday, February 21 at Arizona Tim's Toyota Center W 6-3

GAME NOTES: In the third and final regular season game between Bossier-Shreveport and Arizona this year, the Sundogs scored the first goal to take a 1-0 lead after one period. The Mudbugs completely dominated the second frame though, scoring four times and outshooting Arizona 17-5 to build a 4-1 lead. Arizona scored twice in the third to cut into the lead, but the 'Bugs answered each time to end up with a 6-3 victory. Joe Blaznek and Dale Lupul each finished the night with a goal and two assists, while Chris Brassard had one and one.

THIS WEEK

Wednesday, February 25 at Oklahoma City Ford Center 7:10 pm

GAME NOTES: In the midst of a very tight Northeast Division race, the Mudbugs and Blazers get together for the last time this season on Wednesday night at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City. The 'Bugs have gone 2-0-1 vs. the Blazers this year and come into this contest with a three point lead on Oklahoma City for second place in the division with one game in hand. Bossier-Shreveport hasn't lost in regulation at the Ford Center since December 3, 2006.

Friday, February 27 vs. Colorado CenturyTel Center 7:05 pm

GAME NOTES: The Mudbugs return home on Friday to get their last shot of the season at the CHL-leading Colorado Eagles. Colorado has beaten the 'Bugs twice this season, 3-2 at CenturyTel Center on October 30 and 5-1 at the Budweiser Events Center on November 22. The Eagles have stumbled a bit of late, with losses in four of their last five games, but still hold a five point lead for the top spot in the Northern Conference entering this week.

Saturday, February 28 vs. Texas CenturyTel Center 7:05 pm

GAME NOTES: The Texas Brahmas return to Bossier City on Saturday night for the ninth of ten regular season meetings with the Mudbugs this season. The 'Bugs won the first game of the year against Texas, but didn't beat them again until early February, losing six straight to the Brahmas in between. Most recently though, Bossier-Shreveport cruised to a 4-1 home win over Texas on February 7. The Brahmas have a five point lead for the top seed in the Southern Conference and are just one point behind Colorado in the Governor's Cup race entering this week.

Sunday, March 1 at Wichita Kansas Coliseum 5:05 pm

GAME NOTES: The 'Bugs head to the Kansas Coliseum on Sunday to finish off a set of three games in three days against the Thunder. In the first three meetings between the teams this year, the Mudbugs are 3-0 with all three games being decided by a single goal. Bossier-Shreveport has won by scores of 1-0 on Dec. 4, 2-1 on Dec. 6 and 2-1 again on Jan. 31. The 'Bugs and Thunder close out their season series with one more matchup in early March.

Burning the Sundogs

The Mudbugs swept a pair of games against Arizona last weekend at the Tim's Toyota Center; their first-ever games in Prescott Valley or in the state of Arizona. The 'Bugs won a close 4-3 decision on Friday night and then by a more comfortable 6-3 margin on Saturday night to win the season series 2-1 in their first three meetings with the Sundogs. The 'Bugs have now won three straight and ten of their last 11 games overall.

The Jockeying Continues

The Mudbugs needed both of last weekend's wins over Arizona to keep pace in the Northeast Division race. Although the 'Bugs are 10-0-1 in their last 11 games, Mississippi has won five straight to maintain the division lead. Bossier-Shreveport currently stands just two points back and also has one game in hand on the RiverKings. Oklahoma City remains only three points behind the Mudbugs division standings, but has also played one more game than the 'Bugs. The race for the top seed in the conference has also tightened, with Colorado holding a five-point lead on Mississippi.

An Unceremonious Hat Trick

None of the fans in the building knew it at the time, but Mudbugs forward Neil Clark earned his first career hat trick Friday night against the Sundogs. Clark was originally thought to have scored two goals in the contest, but was actually credited with a third after further review showed he deflected Brett Angel's shot that tied the game at two in the first period. That three-goal effort is the first of Clark's career and, combined with another tally on Saturday, vaults him into a tie for second on the team with a career-high 17 goals this year. The third-year pro from Burnaby, BC has 12 assists to go with those 17 goals to give him 29 points this year, which is also a career-best.

Muscutt's Milestone

Mudbugs Head Coach Scott Muscutt reached a milestone of some significance last night, becoming just the third coach in CHL history to 350 career victories. Muscutt, who is in his ninth season behind the Mudbugs bench, passed Bill MacDonald earlier this season to become the third-winningest Coach in league history. Only Oklahoma City's Doug Sauter (534 and counting) and former Colorado Eagles and Huntsville Channel Cats bench boss Chris Stewart (375) have more CHL wins. Muscutt enters tonight with a career coaching record of 350-160-54 in 564 games.

Blaznek into the 600 Club

Mudbugs forward Joe Blaznek reached a significant career milestone on Saturday, recording his 600th career point during the second period of the 'Bugs 6-3 win over the Sundogs. It was a good night for Blaznek to reach the milestone, as the 11th-year pro scored on a great shot in the third period, added two assists and finished with a +4 rating on the night. The Detroit, Michigan native has now recorded 601 points in 640 professional games in the AHL, IHL, ECHL and CHL. Blaznek leads the Mudbugs with 18 goals and 48 points in 50 games this season and ranks second on the club with 30 assists and a +16 rating.

Lupul Stays Hot

Defenseman Dale Lupul continued his torrid scoring pace with four more points in two games last week. Lupul was a big part of the Mudbugs' 6-3 win on Saturday night, scoring the team's first goal and assisting on two others (including the game-winner) to push his season totals to 11 goals and a team-leading 31 assists. His 42 points rank him third on the team in scoring and tie him for sixth among all CHL defensemen. Lupul has points in eight of Bossier-Shreveport's last nine games, and five of those eight have been multi-point games for the 4th-year pro. In that nine game span, Lupul has recorded five goals and 14 points.

Carroll Continues to Climb

Mudbugs goaltender Ken Carroll has moved into a tie with Amarillo's Mike Gorman for third in CHL history in wins. Carroll has a 17-5-2 record this season, extending his career total to 169 CHL/WPHL wins in eight seasons with the Mudbugs. The Oil City, Ontario native leads the league with a .930 SV%, ranks fourth with a 2.35 GAA, and has gone 10-1-1 in his last 12 decisions. Gorman is in his ninth season in the league with his third different team, and has an 8-14-1 record with the Gorillas this season.

One-Timers

Simon Mangos played the 300th game of his professional career Saturday night in Arizona... Both Joe Blaznek and Travis Clayton currently rank in the CHL's top 15 players in plus/minus rating... The Mudbugs are 23-0-2 when leading after two periods... 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 23, 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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