Mudbugs Weekly

Published on November 30, 2009 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs News Release


LAST WEEK

Wednesday, November 25 at Rio Grande Valley Dodge Arena L 5-3

GAME NOTES: The Mudbugs outshot Rio Grande Valley 50-26 Wednesday night at the Dodge Arena, but the Killer Bees still held on for a 5-3 victory that snapped Bossier-Shreveport's three-game winning streak. The Bees scored three times on six powerplay opportunities while holding the 'Bugs to one conversion on seven man-advantages. Rio has now beaten the Mudbugs in four consecutive games dating back to last season.

Friday, November 27 at Laredo Laredo Entertainment Center L 4-2

GAME NOTES: The Bucks jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the first four minutes of the game and went on to top the Mudbugs 4-2 Saturday night in Laredo. Tyrel Lucas and Joe Blaznek scored the goals for the 'Bugs, who finished 0 for 6 on the powerplay as the Bucks finished a two-game sweep of the season series with the Mudbugs. J.P. Levasseur stopped 31 shots for Laredo in the win.

Saturday, November 28 vs. Missouri CenturyTel Center W 3-2

GAME NOTES: Travis Clayton scored two goals in the last seven minutes of the third period as the Mudbugs came from behind to win 3-2 in their first ever meeting with the Missouri Mavericks Saturday night at the CTC. Brett Smith chipped in the other Mudbugs goal and Ken Carroll made 27 saves as the 'Bugs won their third consecutive home game to get back to.500 this season at 8-8-0.

THIS WEEK

Tuesday, December 1 vs. Arizona CenturyTel Center 7:05 pm

GAME NOTES: The Mudbugs are right back in action tomorrow night to take on Arizona in their only game against the Sundogs this season. The 'Bugs will be looking to continue a three-game home winning streak while the Sundogs try to bounce back from two straight losses in just their second appearance at the CTC. The teams have only faced one another on three previous occasions, with the Mudbugs winning two of those games and the road team prevailing each time.

Friday, December 4 vs. Amarillo CenturyTel Center 7:05 pm

GAME NOTES: The Mudbugs are set to face the Amarillo Gorillas for the first time in four years on Friday night at the CTC. The two teams have not played one another since a 6-1 'Bugs win in Amarillo on March 3, 2006, and the Gorillas have not visited Bossier City since March 18, 2005. Since a 4-0 start to the season, Amarillo has earned just three wins in its past 16 games to stand at 7-10-3 for the year.

Saturday, December 5 at Texas NyTex Sports Centre 7:05 pm

GAME NOTES: The Mudbugs finish up the week in Texas for their third meeting of the season with the Brahmas at the NyTex Sports Centre. Texas won the year's first meeting 6-4 at the CTC in late October before the Mudbugs answered with a 2-1 win on Brahmas' ice on November 8. The Brahmas snapped a three-game losing skid Sunday against Tulsa and will face Corpus Christi on Friday before hosting the 'Bugs Saturday.

WEEKLY NOTES

There's a First Time for Everything The Mudbugs and Missouri Mavericks met for the first time ever on Saturday night in Bossier City, with the 'Bugs earned a 3-2 come-from-behind win. The two clubs will play a total of five times this season, with three of those games taking place at the CTC. After winning their first matchup with the Mavs, the 'Bugs hold a 4-2-0 record in their first meeting with new CHL expansion teams over the past four seasons. Bossier-Shreveport won it's first-ever games against Youngstown, Rocky Mountain, Rapid City and Missouri, but lost its first meetings with Arizona and this year's other new team, Allen.

A Mudbug Milestone Here in the 13th year of the franchise, the Mudbugs played the 800th regular season game in their history last week. Bossier-Shreveport is approaching 500 regular season victories in franchise history as well, with an all-time regular season record of 496-229-76. Including playoff contests, Mudbugs teams have taken the ice 922 times since the team's inception in 1997. The 'Bugs are the fifth oldest franchise in today's Central Hockey League, with only Amarillo, Mississippi, Tulsa and Wichita existing for longer. The RiverKings, Oilers and Thunder were all founded in 1992 as charter members of the CHL.

Clayton Comes Through Travis Clayton's two-goal effort in the third period Saturday was nothing new for the veteran forward, who has now scored a total of 352 goals in 13 years of pro hockey. Clayton is now tied for the team lead with five goals this year and paces the club with three game-winning goals (including the Saturday's winner with just 2:03 remaining) and three powerplay goals. The Paradise Hill, Saskatchewan native, who is the CHL's second all-time leading scorer and holds the league record for games played, is also approaching 900 career points. In 788 pro games, Clayton has notched 895 points.

Clutch 'Bugs The Mudbugs have performed remarkably well in close games so far this season, winning seven of eight games that have been decided by one goal. Seven of Bossier-Shreveport's eight victories this year have come by a single goal, while the other win would've been by one if not for a late empty-net goal. The Mudbugs are 3-0 in games going past regulation this season with two shootout wins and another overtime decision. The only one-goal game the 'Bugs have lost so far was a 2-1 defeat against Allen on 10/23. They also fell 6-4 to Texas after the Brahmas scored a late empty-netter on 10/30.

PK is Key Bossier-Shreveport's results in shorthanded situations have had a significant impact on the team's success so far this season. The Mudbugs hold a perfect 5-0 record this year when they do not give up a powerplay goal and are 2-2 when their opponent scores a single powerplay tally. But out of the seven games in which Bossier-Shreveport has surrendered multiple powerplay goals this year, the club has won just once: a 5-4 shootout victory over Odessa on October 24. The 'Bugs held Missouri scoreless on four powerplay chances in Saturday's 3-2 win.

Milestone Watch A number of Mudbugs players are closing in on career statistical milestones. Here is a rundown of the players and the achievements they are close to reaching: F Joe Blaznek: Needs 7 more goals to reach 300 in his pro career F Travis Clayton: Needs 5 more points to reach 900 in his pro career F Shawn Limpright: Needs 3 more goals to reach 100 in his pro career F Tyrel Lucas: Needs 7 more points to reach 100 in his pro career

Loose Pucks The Mudbugs became the last team in the CHL to surrender a shorthanded goal this year when Laredo's Justin Styffe scored during the third period Friday night... The 'Bugs were also the last team to score a shorthanded goal this season when Joe Zappala notched one Wednesday at Rio Grande Valley... Joe Blaznek had a three-game goal scoring streak snapped Saturday against Missouri... Bossier-Shreveport has gone just 1-6 on Fridays this season, but is 5-1 on Saturdays...

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 November 30, 2009


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