Mudbugs Weekly

Published on October 19, 2009 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs News Release


LAST WEEK

Friday, October 16 vs. Laredo CenturyTel Center L 6-1

GAME NOTES: The Mudbugs opened in 09-10 season at home Friday night with a tough 6-1 defeat at the hands of the rival Laredo Bucks. The 'Bugs trailed 4-0 early in the third period before Joe Zappala got them on the scoreboard, but a comeback never materialized as Laredo beat Bossier-Shreveport in regulation for just the sixth time in 22 all-time regular season meetings.

Saturday, October 17 at Corpus Christi American Bank Center W 4-3

GAME NOTES: The 'Bugs rallied from two one-goal deficits in the third period to defeat the IceRays 4-3 and earn their first victory of the young season. Neil Clark scored the game-winning goal with just 3:08 remaining and Joe Zappala had a goal and an assist to spark the rally. Tyler Liebel and Jeff MacDermid both scored their first goals in a Mudbugs uniform and John DeCaro stopped 23 shots as the Mudbugs evened their record at 1-1.

THIS WEEK

Friday, October 23 vs. Allen CenturyTel Center 7:05 pm

GAME NOTES: Bossier-Shreveport will host Allen on Friday night in the first-ever meeting between the two franchises. The expansion Americans enjoyed a great start in their first weekend of existence, earning a pair of wins on the road against the Arizona Sundogs. Despite the proximity between the two franchises, Allen will play in Bossier-Shreveport only twice this season, while the 'Bugs visit the Americans three times. Allen recently claimed former Mudbugs defenseman Ryan Fairbarn off waivers.

Saturday, October 24 at Odessa Ector County Coliseum 7:05 pm

GAME NOTES: This trip to Odessa marks Bossier-Shreveport's first regular season visit to the West Texas city since January 30, 2007. The teams have played only twice over the past two seasons, with the 'Bugs winning games both here in Bossier City. Like the Mudbugs, Odessa split its two games during opening weekend. The Jackalopes knocked off Corpus Christi in a shootout at home on Friday night, but dropped a 2-1 decision in Amarillo on Saturday night despite a 43-26 shot advantage. The Jacks will play a pair of games at the CenturyTel Center in early November.

WEEKLY NOTES

Purple and Teal Fits Just Fine New Mudbugs forward Joe Zappala seems to be right at home in a Mudbugs uniform so far this year. The fourth-year pro scored goals in both of his first two games this season and added an assist on Neil Clark's game-winner from Saturday night. He also scored a goal during the one preseason game he played with the club this fall to give him three goals and four points in the three games he has worn a Mudbugs sweater. Forwards Tyler Liebel and Jeff MacDermid also scored their first goals with the team last weekend, while Justin Aikins recorded two assists in his return to the team after a year away.

Starting with the South The Mudbugs are starting the 2009-10 regular season with five straight games against teams from the Southern Conference. After hosting Laredo and visiting Corpus Christi during opening weekend, the 'Bugs will get their first look at the expansion Allen Americans Friday night at home. Then after games at Odessa and home versus rival Texas, the Mudbugs' first Northern Conference game will come on Halloween day at Mississippi.

Roster Not Set Yet Although the Mudbugs played opening weekend with 18 active roster players, the club will still have more personnel decisions to make. In addition to the 18 currently active players, the 'Bugs also have two players (Mark Johnson and Tyrel Lucas) starting the season on injured reserve and two more (Kevin Cooper and Jeff Kyrzakos) on the inactive list due to their immigration status.

I'll Meet You in Bossier-Shreveport This year's roster not only features 14 players with prior Mudbugs experience, but also has a number of players who have been teammates with other clubs as well. G John DeCaro, F Shawn Limpright and D Chris St. Croix were all teammates last year with the ECHL's Las Vegas Wranglers. Forwards Joe Blaznek, Travis Clayton and Tyler Liebel all spent time on the same Wichita Thunder teams from 2004 to 2007. Finally, forwards Brett Smith and Joe Zappala and defensemen Dave Pszenyczny and Mike Salekin all spent time with the Reading Royals between 2006 and 2009. Even goaltender Ken Carroll had a brief stint in Reading during the one pro season he spent away from Bossier-Shreveport in 2001-02.

Performing at a Higher Level This year's Mudbugs may include more players with experience playing in higher-level leagues than any other before it. Out of the 22 players currently with the club, ten have seen action in the American Hockey League and/or the old (triple-A) International Hockey League. Veteran defenseman Chris St. Croix leads the way in higher level experience with 247 AHL games, while Joe Blaznek (58), Shawn Limpright (45), Neil Clark (22), and Travis Clayton (12) have all seen a fair amount of action in the AHL/IHL as well.

New Captains Named Following the retirement of two of last year's team Captains (Chris Brassard and Quade Lightbody), the Mudbugs announced this year's crew of letter-wearers last week. Forward Brett Smith, who served as an Alternate Captain last year, has been named the sixth team Captain in Mudbugs history, following Dale Henry, Jim Sprott, Forbes MacPherson, Dan Wildfong, and Brassard. Serving as the two Alternate Captains in 09-10 will be forwards Travis Clayton and Neil Clark. Clayton wore an "A" for many years during his tenure with the Wichita Thunder, while Clark will serve as an Alternate for the first time in his career.

Loose Pucks The Mudbugs placed defensemen Ryan Fairbarn and Shawn Mole on waivers last week in order to reach the CHL's regular season roster requirements... Allen claimed Fairbarn off waivers on Saturday... Returning for the 2009-10 season, goaltender Ken Carroll has become the first player in franchise history to play nine seasons with the Mudbugs... Goaltenders Ken Carroll and John DeCaro are back together again after teaming up to break CHL records for team goals-against average, shutouts in a season and shutout streak the last time they played together (07-08)... Brett Smith's 12 career shorthanded goals entering this year tie him with Dan Wildfong and Forbes MacPherson for the franchise record...

TICKET INFORMATION: Season tickets, mini-plans and group packages for the 2009-10 season of Mudbugs hockey are available at the team office: 2000 CenturyTel Center Drive, Bossier City, LA 71112. 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: Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs games, both home and away, are broadcast live on "The Home of the Legends" AM 1130 KWKH and News Radio 710 AM KEEL in Shreveport. Both stations provide free online streaming online at www.kwkhonline.com and www.710keel.com .

CHL TV: New for 2009-10 is the latest version of CHL-TV, powered by Insinc Netcasting. Fans will have the chance to watch all 480 of the CHL's regular season schedule with a $5.95 pay-per-view price. Packages are available as well that give fans the chance to order a month at a time or the entire season. All game archives are offered to catch up on the games you missed for just $3.95. Visit http://chltv.insinc.com for more information.

Season and group tickets are on sale by calling 318-752-BUGS (2847) or by visiting our website at www.mudbugshockey.com .

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Central Hockey League Stories from October 19, 2009


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