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Mudbugs Weekly

March 16, 2009 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs News Release


LAST WEEK

Tuesday, March 10 at Texas NyTex Sports Centre W 2-1

GAME NOTES: The Mudbugs and Brahmas met for the final time this season in a close, entertaining game at the NyTex Sports Centre. Texas' powerplay goal in the second period was the game's only goal as the Brahmas took a 1-0 lead into the third. The 'Bugs battled back in the final period on goals from Joe Blaznek and Neil Clark to earn a 2-1 victory, their third straight against Texas.

Friday, March 13 at Mississippi DeSoto Civic Center L 3-2

GAME NOTES: The 'Bugs took a 1-0 lead into the second period Friday night after Chris Brassard's goal mid-way through the first, but Mississippi scored three times in the second to take a two-goal advantage into the third. Mark Johnson scored to get the Mudbugs back within a goal in the third, but that's as close as they would get in a 3-2 loss to the RiverKings.

Saturday, March 14 at Mississippi DeSoto Civic Center L 3-2 (SO)

GAME NOTES: The Mudbugs and RiverKings met for the second of back-to-back games Saturday night in Southaven, MS. Mississippi brought a 2-0 lead into the third period, but Bossier-Shreveport again came back on goals from Dave Pszenyczny and J.J. Martin to tie the game at two and force overtime. After an unsuccessful Mudbug powerplay in the OT, the game went to a shootout, where the 'Kings outscored the 'Bugs 2-0 to earn the 3-2 win.

Sunday, March 15 vs. Rio Grande Valley CenturyTel Center L 5-3

GAME NOTES: What looked like a promising start for the Mudbugs on Sunday quickly turned sour as Rio Grande Valley scored three times in the latter half of the first period to hold a 3-0 lead after one. The 'Bugs countered with two quick goals from Travis Clayton and Joe Blaznek to start the second period though, cutting the deficit to just one. Evan Rankin's second goal of the game for the Killer Bees extended their lead back to 4-2 after two periods. Neil Clark's goal in the third again got Bossier-Shreveport back within one, but Brent Gauvreau ended the comeback with his second of the game later in the third as Rio earned a 5-3 win.

THIS WEEK

Tuesday, March 17 at Mississippi DeSoto Civic Center 7:05 pm

GAME NOTES: Tuesday night the Mudbugs make their final appearance at the DCC for their 11th game against Mississippi this year. The RiverKings have won four straight against the Mudbugs over the past two weeks to tie the season series at five wins apiece through ten meetings. The 'Bugs have been tied or within one goal in the third period in three of those four straight losses to the 'Kings.

Friday, March 20 vs. Mississippi CenturyTel Center 7:05 pm

GAME NOTES: The Mudbugs enter the final weekend of the regular season with the last of their 12 regular season games against Mississippi at CenturyTel Center. Bossier-Shreveport is 3-2 against the 'Kings at the CTC this season and will look to build momentum toward the playoffs by beating this year's Northeast Division champs.

Saturday, March 21 vs. Corpus Christi CenturyTel Center 7:05 pm

GAME NOTES: The Mudbugs and IceRays will close out the regular season on Saturday night in Bossier City in a game that could have significant playoff implications. While the 'Bugs are still trying to get into the third seed in the Northern Conference, the Rays have been pushing for the fifth and final playoff spot in the South over the past few weeks of the season. The season series between the two teams is tied at two coming into Saturday's game.

Down to the Last Week

As the 08-09 CHL regular season enters its final week, only one of the league's ten playoff-bound teams knows exactly where it will be seeded in the postseason. Rocky Mountain (who will finish fifth in the North) is the only team whose position has already been determined prior to this week's games. Nine of the ten playoff spots have been clinched entering this week though, with only the number five spot in the Southern Conference still up for grabs.

Eyes on the Third Seed

With three games remaining in the season, the Mudbugs currently occupy the fourth seed in the Northern Conference. Bossier-Shreveport does still have the opportunity to finish third and avoid the best-of-three first round "play-in" series vs. Rocky Mountain. If the 'Bugs finish third, they will face either Mississippi or Colorado in the second round of the playoffs. The only team that the Mudbugs cannot face in their first playoff series is Oklahoma City, who currently sits in third place in the North. The Blazers lost Sunday night in Colorado to keep them just two points ahead of the 'Bugs in the standings with three games remaining for both teams.

Northern Conference playoff picture at a glance

1. Colorado 43-14-4 90 pts

2. Mississippi 42-15-3 87 pts

3. Oklahoma City 37-17-7 81 pts

4. Bossier-Shreveport 37-19-5 79 pts

5. Rocky Mountain 31-25-5 67 pts

Trouble with the Turtles

Saturday night in Mississippi, the Mudbugs rallied from a 2-0 third period deficit to tie the game at two, but ultimately fell in a shootout by a final score of 3-2. With that loss, Bossier-Shreveport has now dropped four straight games against the RiverKings with two meetings remaining between the division rivals. The 'Bugs won five of the first six meetings with Mississippi this year, but the recent losing streak gives them a 5-4-1 mark against the 'Kings this season.

The Streak Ends at Five

Saturday night's Mississippi win against Bossier-Shreveport officially ended the Mudbugs' hopes of catching the RiverKings and winning a sixth consecutive Northeast Division title. The RiverKings then clinched the '09 division crown and one of the top two seeds in the Northern Conference playoffs when Oklahoma City lost Sunday night at Colorado. Starting in 2003-04, the 'Bugs had won each of the last five division titles prior to this year.

On the Rebound

The Mudbugs are currently on their first three-game losing streak of the season, but Saturday's defeat in a shootout means they are still the only team in the CHL without back-to-back losses at any point this season. Bossier-Shreveport has not gone more than one game without earning at least one point this year with only three contests remaining. With the 'Bugs now on their first three-game losing streak of the year, Mississippi is the only team left in the CHL who hasn't lost more than twice in a row.

Another Brassard Benchmark

Chris Brassard has reached two significant milestones in the past week for the Mudbugs. On Saturday March 7, he became the 20th player in CHL history to record 500 points in the league. Then last Friday night, Brassard's first-period goal made him the third player in Mudbugs history to record 400 points in his career with the franchise. Only Dan Wildfong (494 pts) and Forbes MacPherson (412) have put up more points in purple and teal than Brassard. Now in his seventh year with the club, Brassard has 154 goals and 246 assists for exactly 400 points in 411 career games with Bossier-Shreveport. The 11th year pro is also coming up on another career milestone shortly, needing just three more points to reach 600 in his professional career.

One-Timers

The Mudbugs are 25-0-3 when leading after two periods... Friday night ended the 'Bugs road point streak at nine games, but they are still 7-1-3 in their last 11 contests away from home... Dave Pszenyczny snapped a ten-game pointless streak with a goal Saturday night... Joe Blaznek has surpassed his point total from last year with 58 points this season... Travis Clayton's goal Sunday put him at exactly 20 goals, 30 assists and 50 points this year... Bossier-Shreveport is one of just four CHL teams with a higher powerplay percentage on the road than at home...

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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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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