Mudbugs Weekly

Published on March 3, 2009 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs News Release


LAST WEEK

Wednesday, February 25 at Oklahoma City Ford Center L 3-2 (SO)

GAME NOTES: The Mudbugs and Blazers met for the final time this year on Wednesday night at the Ford Center. The 'Bugs scored first and held a 1-0 lead through two periods, but a heavy Oklahoma City shot advantage finally paid off for the Blazers, who took a 2-1 lead early in the third. Dale Lupul's powerplay goal tied it up later in the period to force overtime and then a shootout, where the Blazers outscored the 'Bugs 3-1 to win the game 3-2. Lupul finished with a goal and an assist, while Jon Horrell made 44 saves as Bossier-Shreveport was outshot 47-24.

Friday, February 27 vs. Colorado CenturyTel Center L 2-1

GAME NOTES: The Mudbugs had their last shot of the year at Colorado, who had beaten them in both of the two previous meetings this year. The 'Bugs opened the scoring mid-way through the first when Mark Johnson gave them a 1-0 lead, but two turnovers led to a pair of Colorado goals after that. Konrad Reeder scored on a penalty shot after being tugged from behind on a breakaway, and then Greg Pankewicz put in the rebound on an Ed McGrane shot after the Mudbugs turned the puck over in their own end. Bossier-Shreveport outshot Colorado 28-9 in the final two periods but never could beat Andrew Penner again to tie the game. The Eagles' goaltender finished with 36 saves to steal the 2-1 Colorado victory at the CTC.

Saturday, February 28 vs. Texas CenturyTel Center W 4-2

GAME NOTES: Texas came calling to Bossier City for the final time this year on Saturday night for its ninth meeting of the year with Bossier-Shreveport. The teams traded goals in the first period and then again in the second to take a 2-2 tie into the final period. Joe Blaznek sniped the game-winner and Neil Clark added a late insurance goal as the Mudbugs beat the Brahmas for the second consecutive game. The 'Bugs finished 3 for 4 on the powerplay and held Texas off the scoreboard on all nine of their man-advantages in the game. Jon Horrell was solid again with 36 saves and the win in goal.

Sunday, March 1 at Wichita Kansas Coliseum W 4-1

GAME NOTES: The 'Bugs met the Thunder on Sunday afternoon for their last visit to Wichita this season. All four of the former Thunder players on this year's Mudbugs had an impact: Joe Blaznek scored a first period goal and then set up Mark Johnson's game-winner late in the second period that made it 2-1, Travis Clayton assisted on both of Bossier-Shreveport's third period goals, Todd Paul netted the 'Bugs' final tally and Jon Horrell had 18 saves to earn the win in goal. Tyrel Lucas scored the other goal as the Mudbugs improved to 4-0 against Wichita this year.

THIS WEEK

Tuesday, March 3 vs. Mississippi CenturyTel Center 7:05 pm

GAME NOTES: Tuesday night at the CTC, the Mudbugs and RiverKings meet for the first of their six meetings in the final three weeks of the 2008-09 CHL regular season. Mississippi enters the game with a three-point lead on Bossier-Shreveport, who subsequently holds a three-point advantage on Oklahoma City going into this contest. The 'Bugs are 5-1 against the 'Kings this year, but Mississippi will ride an eight-game winning streak into Bossier City on Tuesday night.

Friday, March 6 vs. Wichita CenturyTel Center 7:05 pm

GAME NOTES: The Mudbugs and Thunder will meet for the final time this year on Friday night at the CTC. The 'Bugs are 4-0 against the Thunder this year, but three of those four wins have come by a single goal. Prior to Bossier-Shreveport's 4-1 win in Wichita on Sunday, the Mudbugs had edged the Thunder by scores of 1-0, 2-1 and 2-1. Wichita had won three straight games before falling to the 'Bugs on Sunday.

Saturday, March 7 vs. Mississippi CenturyTel Center 7:05 pm

GAME NOTES: The RiverKings return to Bossier City on Saturday night for their second meeting of the week with Bossier-Shreveport. After the teams play on Tuesday, Mississippi will travel to Tulsa for a Friday night game with the Oilers at the BOK Center before coming back to the CTC again on Saturday. Starting this week, the 'Bugs and 'Kings will meet twice a week for the remainder of the regular season.

The Stretch Run Begins

The Mudbugs are now down to their last ten games of the 08-09 regular season heading into Tuesday's matchup with Mississippi. The Mudbugs and RiverKings still have plenty of opportunities to dictate the division standings though, with six meetings coming between the two clubs in the last three weeks of the season. The 'Bugs are three points behind the RiverKings and three points ahead of Oklahoma City entering this week's action. In addition to those six games against Mississippi, the Mudbugs also play Wichita, Texas, Rio Grande Valley and Corpus Christi in their final stretch of games.

Horrell Named Goalie of the Week

Mudbugs goaltender Jon Horrell has been named this week's Oakley/CHL Goaltender of the Week, the league announced Monday. Horrell posted a 1.72 goals-against average and .943 saves percentage while helping lead the Mudbugs to a 2-1-1 record in four starts last week. The 27-year-old netminder was between the pipes for every minute of the Mudbugs' stretch of four games in five days last week, and was named a star of the game in three of the four. Horrell made 115 saves on 122 shots while facing Oklahoma City, Colorado, Texas and Wichita. The third-year pro holds a record of 12-3-2 in 18 appearances this season with a 2.53 goals-against average and .916 saves percentage. He has started Bossier-Shreveport's last seven games dating back to February 13, posting a 5-1-1 record in that time.

Lupul Not Letting Up

Defenseman Dale Lupul's torrid scoring pace over the past month has pushed his point total to 46 this season, which ties him for second on the team in scoring. Lupul had four more points in four games last week to surpass 100 points in his Mudbugs career and push his season totals to 12 goals and a team-high 34 assists. His 46 points rank him fifth among all CHL defensemen entering tonight. Lupul has 18 points in his 13 games with six multi-point games in that span.

Powering their Way Through

The Mudbugs powerplay unit has been lethal for opponents of late, converting at over 30 percent over the past seven games. Dating back to a 5-4 shootout win over Tulsa on February 13, the 'Bugs have scored 11 goals in their last 36 powerplay chances, good for a success rate of 30.6%. The Mudbugs have scored a total of 25 goals in those seven games, meaning that 44% of the team's offense has come on the powerplay during that span. For the season, Bossier-Shreveport ranks sixth in the CHL with a powerplay success rate of 18.9%. Their penalty killing unit ranks first in the league at 86.7%.

More Milestones

Mudbugs Captain Chris Brassard has already reached a number of significant milestones this season, but he's still got a few more on the way. Brassard needs just five more points to reach 600 in his pro career and is only two points away from becoming the third Mudbug to score 400 points as a member of the franchise (Dan Wildfong and Forbes MacPherson are the others). Brassard also needs just one more point to become the 20th player in CHL history to record 500 points in the league. Between his time with the Mudbugs and the two seasons he spent in the CHL earlier in his career (with Fayetteville and Macon), Brassard has 499 career CHL points.

Busy 'Bugs

The Mudbugs are currently in one of their most taxing stretches of the 08-09 season with five games in seven days. After Wednesday's game in Oklahoma City, the 'Bugs played a three-in-three over the weekend against Colorado, Texas and Wichita before finishing out that stretch Tuesday against Mississippi. Bossier-Shreveport's last ten games of the regular season will take place in a span of 18 days.

One-Timers

The Mudbugs and Eagles combined for a season-low eight total penalty minutes Friday night... Ken Carroll is currently tied with Amarillo's Mike Gorman for third in CHL history in wins with 169... The Mudbugs are 24-0-3 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.

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Central Hockey League Stories from March 3, 2009


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