Sports stats



Mudbugs Weekly

November 9, 2009 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs News Release


LAST WEEK

Friday, November 6 vs. Odessa CenturyTel Center L 4-1

GAME NOTES: All four Odessa goals came on the powerplay as the Jackalopes broke an 11-game losing streak to the Mudbugs with a 4-1 victory on Friday night. Joe Zappala scored the lone Mudbugs goal as the team dropped to 0-4 at home this season. The Jackalopes finished 4 for 9 on the powerplay, while the 'Bugs were 0 for 4.

Saturday, November 7 vs. Odessa CenturyTel Center L 4-1

GAME NOTES: The Mudbugs managed only seven shots on goal in the last two periods and fell behind on their home ice for the second straight night, eventually losing 4-1 to the Jackalopes. Odessa scored two more powerplay goals in the contest, while Dale Lupul got the only Mudbugs tally on a first period powerplay. The 'Bugs were outshot 31-15 in the contest and fell to 0-5 at home.

Sunday, November 8 at Texas NyTex Sports Centre W 2-1

GAME NOTES: The Mudbugs capped their first three-in-three weekend of the season with a strong effort in Texas and improved to 4-0 on the road this year with a 2-1 victory over the rival Brahmas. Neil Clark and Travis Clayton scored for the 'Bugs as the team built a 2-0 lead for the first time this season. John DeCaro's 31 saves helped preserve that lead as Bossier-Shreveport got back within one game of.500 this year at 4-5-0.

THIS WEEK

Friday, November 13 at Mississippi DeSoto Civic Center 7:05 pm

GAME NOTES: The 'Bugs will play just their second conference game of the season on Friday night at Mississippi, facing the rival RiverKings for the second time this year. Bossier-Shreveport won the first meeting by a 2-1 tally on Halloween at the DeSoto Civic Center on a pair of goals from Jeff Kyrzakos. Mississippi enters this week in the Northern Conference lead with 12 points.

Saturday, November 14 vs. Rapid City CenturyTel Center 7:05 pm

GAME NOTES: Bossier-Shreveport returns home this Saturday to take on the Rapid City Rush for the first time this season. The Mudbugs, Rush and Tulsa Oilers enter this week in a three-way tie for third place in the Northern Conference standings. Saturday will be the first of three meetings between the two teams this season. The 'Bugs won last year's season series with Rapid City, going 2-1 against the expansion Rush in 08-09.

WEEKLY NOTES

A Tale of Two Teams

The Mudbugs have started the season on what must be considered the strangest trend in team history. Through nine games this year, Bossier-Shreveport is winless (0-5) at home, but undefeated (4-0) on the road. The five game home losing streak ties the franchise record for longest home skid (set in November of 2002). On the other hand, the 'Bugs have started with four straight victories away from home for the first time ever and are three wins away from tying the longest road winning streak in team history (seven straight in the fall of 1997).

The Streak Ends at 78

Last weekend the Mudbugs lost consecutive games against Odessa in regulation to break an impressive string during the regular season. Until Saturday night, the 'Bugs had not been beaten in regulation in back-to-back regular season games since the 2007-08 season. The last time Bossier-Shreveport failed to earn a point in two straight regular season contests was March 7 and 8, 2008. Since then, a span of 78 regular season games had passed until the Jackalopes won back-to-back games over the Mudbugs by matching 4-1 scores on Friday and Saturday.

Not Yet Their Specialty

The Mudbugs are still finding their way on special teams this season, ranking 11th in the CHL on the powerplay (11.8%) and last in the league on the penalty kill (74.6%) entering this week. Although the 'Bugs have scored powerplay goals in six of their past eight games, they have converted just one of their last 1 for 17 powerplay chances. On the penalty kill, Bossier-Shreveport had allowed at least one goal in seven consecutive games prior to Sunday's win at Texas. The Mudbugs were a perfect 6-for-6 in shorthanded situations against the Brahmas.

Will History Repeat Itself?

The Mudbugs are off to a 0-5 start on their home ice this season for the first time in team history. The last time the 'Bugs set a new team record for their worst start at home (0-4 during the 2007-2008 season), they turned it around to win a franchise record 18 consecutive home games on their way to a CHL Governors' Cup regular season title. Bossier-Shreveport and Allen (who played its home opener just Saturday) are the only CHL teams who have played a home game without winning one. The expansion Missouri Mavericks are the last team in the league who have yet to play a game at home.

Revenge of the Jacks

Friday's Odessa victory snapped an 11-game Mudbugs winning streak over the Jackalopes that dated back to the 2002-03 season. Until this weekend, the Jacks hadn't beaten the 'Bugs since December 21, 2002 and had not won in regulation in Bossier City since January 7, 2001. Bossier-Shreveport finished the season series at 1-2 against Odessa after the Jacks won Saturday's matchup as well. The Mudbugs rallied from a three-goal deficit to beat Odessa 5-4 in a shootout in the year's first matchup between the teams back on October 24.

Loose Pucks

The Mudbugs are the only team in the CHL who have not had a shorthanded goal scored (for or against) in any game this year... The 'Bugs have gone 4-1-0 in one-goal games this season... F Jeff Kyrzakos played in his 200th professional game and F Joe Zappala earned his 100th career point on Saturday night... D Chris St. Croix is only two games away from 600 in his career...

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.report abuse, please contact abuse@infinityemail.com.



Central Hockey League Stories from November 9, 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.

Other Recent Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central