Mudbugs Weekly

Published on January 18, 2010 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs News Release


LAST WEEK

Jan. 13 2010 CHL All-Star Game: South Texas All-Stars 9, CHL All-Stars 4

GAME NOTES: Goaltender Ken Carroll represented the Mudbugs in the 2010 CHL All-Star Game last week in Laredo, Texas. Carroll played the second period for the CHL All-Stars, making 13 saves on 16 shots. The South Texas All-Stars won the game 9-4 with Rio Grande Valley forward Sean Muncy (2g, 2a) taking home the MVP award for the winners. Odessa netminder Joel Martin was named MVP for the CHL All-Stars after stopping 27 of 28 shots in the first period.

Friday, January 15 at Colorado Budweiser Events Center L 4-3

GAME NOTES: After falling behind early, the Mudbugs scored two goals on their first five shots of the game to take a 2-1 lead into the final minutes of the first period. Colorado would score the game's next three goals to take a 4-2 lead into the third. Travis Clayton cut the lead to one during the final period, but the Eagles went on to win 4-3. Shawn Limpright had a goal and an assist for the Mudbugs, while Brett Smith and Joe Blaznek each had two assists.

Saturday, January 16 at Colorado Budweiser Events Center L 5-4 (OT)

GAME NOTES: Mark Johnson scored with only 35 seconds left in regulation to force overtime for the Mudbugs before Ryan McLeod ended it in Colorado's favor during the extra session. After falling behind early, the 'Bugs repeatedly battled to stay in the game, getting two scores from Johnson, a goal and two assists from Justin Aikins and a goal and an assist from David Rutherford. The Mudbugs also had a goal disallowed in the first period only to have Colorado score moments later on the powerplay to go up 3-1.

THIS WEEK

Wednesday, Jan. 20 vs. Rio Grande Valley CenturyTel Center 7:05 pm

GAME NOTES: Wednesday night the Mudbugs finally return to the CTC for the first time in 18 days following a season high five-game road trip. The game will be the second of the year between the 'Bugs and Killer Bees, who first met on November 25 at the Dodge Arena. The Mudbugs outshot Rio Grande Valley 50-26 in that game, but lost 5-3 as the Bees scored three powerplay goals.

Thursday, January 21 vs. Wichita CenturyTel Center 7:05 pm

GAME NOTES: The 'Bugs are at home for a second straight night on Thursday to host the Wichita Thunder. Wichita is mired in one of the worst stretches in CHL history, bringing a league-record tying 21 consecutive losses into this week. Two of those losses came against the Mudbugs in mid-December when Bossier-Shreveport swept a back-to-back set at the Kansas Coliseum by scores of 6-2 and 3-2. The Thunder has won only three times in 34 games this year.

Saturday, January 23 at Allen Allen Events Center 7:30 pm

GAME NOTES: Saturday night the Mudbugs will briefly go on the road to Allen, Texas before returning home for three more home games next week. The game will mark Bossier-Shreveport's third meeting of the year against the expansion Americans, who sit in second place in the Southern Conference. Allen won both of the first two games in the series by one goal, 2-1 in Bossier City on October 30 and then 4-3 in a shootout on December 27 at the AEC.

WEEKLY NOTES

Half Full or Half Empty?

Although the Mudbugs haven't been stringing wins together over the past two weeks, they have still managed to collect numerous points to hold on to the third seed in the Northern Conference. Despite losing seven of their past ten games, the 'Bugs have still earned points in seven of their last nine, with three wins and four overtime or shootout losses in that stretch. Since a six-game winning streak leading up to the Christmas break, Bossier-Shreveport has gone 3-3-4 for ten points in ten games. The Mudbugs lead Mississippi by two points for third place in the Northern Conference entering this week.

Colorado Curse Continues

Including regular season and playoffs, Colorado has now beaten Bossier-Shreveport nine times in a row dating back to last season, although eight of those nine games have been decided by a single goal. The Eagles swept a back-to-back set this weekend at the Budweiser Events Center to continue their recent success against the 'Bugs. The Mudbugs were 0-3 against the Eagles during the 08-09 regular season and then suffered a four-game playoff sweep against Colorado in 2009. The two Northern Conference rivals will close out their three-game regular season series next Saturday here in Bossier City. The Eagles were the last team the 'Bugs faced in the CHL this year.

Welcome Home

The Mudbugs have finally returned home after their longest road trip of the season, which spanned five games over two weeks. Although the 'Bugs won just one game on the trip, they managed to earn five of ten possible points with two losses in overtime and another in a shootout (1-1-3). The Mudbugs had earned points in ten consecutive road games (7-0-3) prior to Friday's regulation loss at Colorado, giving Bossier-Shreveport the longest such streak in the CHL this season. The 'Bugs have played eight of their past nine games on the road entering this week, but will now start a stretch featuring seven of their next eight games at home. The Mudbugs are 12-5-4 on the road this year, but just 6-8-0 at the CenturyTel Center.

Muscutt Continues to March

With 18 victories so far this season, Mudbugs Head Coach Scott Muscutt has climbed into a tie with former Huntsville and Colorado bench boss Chris Stewart for second in CHL history in career coaching victories. Muscutt and Stewart, who is now the Eagles' President and General Manager, are tied for second all-time with 375 career wins after the 'Bugs topped Rapid City last Saturday. With his next victory, Muscutt will pass Stewart and trail only former Oklahoma City Head Coach Doug Sauter, who won 544 games during his lengthy career with the Blazers.

Northern Exposure

The Mudbugs have completed a stretch of six straight games against Northern Conference opponents which saw them face Missouri, Rapid City and Colorado two times apiece. The 'Bugs dropped five of the six games during the conference swing, but earned points in four of the six (1-2-3). Bossier-Shreveport, who is 11-4-3 against the North this season, will now play four of its next five games against Southern Conference clubs.

Dramatic Finishes

Saturday marked another overtime game for the Mudbugs, who have certainly had a flair for the dramatic lately. The 'Bugs have gone into overtime in six of their past nine games entering this week. Dating back December 27 at Allen, Bossier-Shreveport has had three games decided in a shootout and three more in sudden-death overtime. The Mudbugs are 5-4 in games going past 60 minutes (2-2 in OT, 3-2 in shootouts) this year, but have lost three straight. The 'Bugs also sport one of the CHL's best records in one-goal games with a 12-3-4 record in 19 games this year.

Loose Pucks

F Shawn Limpright surpassed 1,000 career penalty minutes on Saturday.... F Joe Ori played his 200th game as a Mudbug on Friday.... The 'Bugs are a perfect 9-0 this year when they do not allow a powerplay goal... The final score has been 4-3 in five of the Mudbugs' last nine games... The Mudbugs are 10-3-3 in their white uniforms this season... Bossier-Shreveport last defeated Colorado on December 14, 2007 (3-0 W @ CTC).

TICKET INFORMATION: Mini-plans and group ticket 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 games on the CHL's regular season schedule for a small 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 January 18, 2010


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