Mudbugs Weekly
May 9, 2011 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs News Release
LAST WEEK
Game 3: Wednesday, May 4 Allen Event Center W 3-2
GAME NOTES: Nick Layton and David Rutherford hooked up on the winning goal with just 1:11 remaining to give the Mudbugs a 3-2 victory over Allen in Game 3 of the Berry Conference Finals Wednesday at the Allen Event Center. Overtime appeared imminent when the Americans tied the game with just over two minutes remaining, but Rutherford's play at center helped set up Layton's game-winner just over one minute later. Rutherford finished with a goal and an assist in the contest, while Jamie Milam scored the ¬ËBugs other goal.
Game 4: Friday, May 6 CenturyTel Center W 6-4
GAME NOTES: The Mudbugs scored three goals in two minutes early in the third period to take a five-goal lead on their way to a 6-4 victory over the Americans in Game 4 of the Berry Conference Finals Friday at the CenturyTel Center. Jamie Milam scored two goals in the game, while Travis Clayton finished with a goal and an assist as the ¬ËBugs built a 6-1 lead with three goals in two minutes early in the third period. Justin Aikins also had two assists and John DeCaro stopped 25 shots in his eighth win of the playoffs.
Game 5: Sunday, May 8 CenturyTel Center W 5-3
GAME NOTES: The Mudbugs clinched the Berry Conference title and a trip to the Ray Miron President's Cup Finals with a 5-3 victory over Allen in Game 5 of the Berry Conference Finals Sunday at the CenturyTel Center. By eliminating the Governors' Cup Champion Americans four games to one, the ¬ËBugs have clinched their sixth conference title and first trip to the CHL Finals since 2006. David Rutherford scored two goals and assisted on Nick Layton's game-winner to finish with three points in the win. Layton had a goal and an assist, while Michael Couch finished with two helpers as the Mudbugs repeatedly fought off Allen's attempts at a comeback.
THIS WEEK
Ray Miron President's Cup Finals (Best of Seven)
#2 Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs vs. Turner Conference Champions
(#1 Rapid City Rush OR #2 Colorado Eagles)
SERIES NOTES: After winning three playoff rounds to secure the Berry Conference title, the ¬ËBugs have one final step to take to call themselves CHL Champions here in 2011. In their sixth appearance in the President's Cup Finals, the Mudbugs will face either the defending Champion Rapid City Rush or the two-time Champion Colorado Eagles (2005, 07) in the CHL's Championship series. The Eagles lead the Rush 3-2 in the best-of-seven series with Game 6 coming up tonight from Colorado. The ¬ËBugs faced each of the two teams just once during the regular season, beating Rapid City and losing to Colorado in January. Against either opponent, Bossier-Shreveport would be the lower seed and start the series with a pair of road games this weekend before returning to the CTC for Games 3, 4 and 5 in a 2-3-2 series format.
WEEKLY NOTES
Back in the Finals
Following their Berry Conference triumph against Allen, the Mudbugs have advanced to the President's Cup Finals for the sixth time in franchise history here in 2011. The ¬ËBugs last went to the finals in 2006, losing that series to Laredo just two years after the Bucks had beaten Bossier-Shreveport in the controversial 2004 cup finals. the Mudbugs had been to the championship series three times prior to that, winning three consecutive Western Professional Hockey League Championships in 1999, 2000 and 2001. The ¬ËBugs hold an all-time record of 16-11 in President's Cup Finals games.
¬ËBugs Slay the Giant
After losing eight of ten regular season meetings against the Governors' Cup Champion Allen Americans, the Mudbugs entered Sunday's Game 5 with a 3-1 series lead and a chance to win the Berry Conference title. The ¬ËBugs didn't waste the opportunity, finishing Allen off with a 5-3 victory to take the series in five games. Bossier-Shreveport has now defeated two regular season champions in the last six seasons, also knocking off top-seeded Colorado in five games in 2006. With #7 Arizona, #3 Tulsa and #1 Allen now in their wake, the Mudbugs will have one more hill to climb in the Turner Conference Champion - either #1 Rapid City or #2 Colorado.
Killer Instinct Kicking in
The Mudbugs have enjoyed a great deal of success in recent years when they have an opportunity to eliminate an opponent and advance to the next playoff round. Dating back to 2006, the ¬ËBugs have won eight of their last nine such games - including all three of their chances to end an opponent's season this year (Game 4 at Arizona, Game 5 vs. Tulsa and Game 5 vs. Allen). Bossier-Shreveport now holds an all-time record of 13-5 in Game 5's and is 8-1 all-time in series in which they led 3-1. The Mudbugs have also won six of their nine trips to the conference finals in franchise history.
It Takes All Kinds of W's
The Mudbugs have earned most of their playoff wins behind the strong defensive play that is their trademark, giving up fewer than three goals in seven of their 14 playoff games and ranking fourth among all playoff teams with a 2.79 team goals-against average. At the same time, Bossier-Shreveport has won three of four games in which they have given up four goals or more, a scenario in which they went just 4-20-1 in the regular season. The ¬ËBugs are now the highest scoring team in the playoffs at 3.79 goals per game after ranking sixth in the league with a scoring average of 3.47 in the regular season.
Limpright, Rutherford Set the Pace
Forwards Shawn Limpright and David Rutherford are tied for the team lead and third in the CHL playoffs with 16 points through 14 playoff games. Limpright notched back-to-back game-winning goals in Game 5 vs. Tulsa and Game 1 at Allen and has been held pointless just three times in 14 playoff games. The nine-year veteran has totaled 31 points (13g, 18a) in his last 28 games including the last month of the regular season. Rutherford has seven points in his last four games, including the two goals he scored in Game 5 vs. Allen to tie him for the league lead with eight tallies. #91 is also tied for the CHL playoff lead with 62 shots on goal.
On the Plus Side
In addition to his ten playoff points, amateur forward Nick Layton currently leads the CHL playoffs in plus/minus rating at +11. Veteran defenseman Clay Plume isn't far behind, ranking second in the league at +9. Plume scored a goal and had an assist in Game 2 and was a +5 in the conference finals, while Layton had two goals (both game-winners), two assists and a +6 rating in the last three games against Allen.
The Best Offense Really is a Good Defense
Mudbugs defensemen have played a huge part in the team's offensive success of late, combining to score seven goals and total 21 points during the Allen series. 12 of Bossier-Shreveport's 53 playoff goals have been scored by defensemen, who have totaled 42 points between them. Simon Mangos leads the unit with 11 points, while Jamie Milam has nine including four goals after scoring twice in Game 4. Clay Plume and Jim Jorgensen also have multiple goals in these playoffs.
Loose Pucks
The ¬ËBugs are 36-1 this year (regular season and playoffs) when leading after two periods... F Brett Smith has moved into 8th place on the Mudbugs' all-time playoff scoring list with 42 points (19g, 23a)... G John DeCaro leads the CHL playoffs with nine wins, while both he and Ryan Munce rank among the top eight playoff goalies in GAA... F Jeff Kyrzakos' eight goals are the third-most in team history in a single playoff year, while his 5 powerplay goals are second most.... Limpright and Rutherford have tied Trevor Buchanan (1999) for the 7th points in Mudbugs history in a single playoff with 16...
TICKET INFORMATION:
Season tickets, mini-plans and group ticket packages for the 2010-11 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:
Back for 2010-11 is the latest version of CHL-TV, powered by NeuLion, Inc. Fans will have the chance to watch nearly 600 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 only their team's away games, an all-access league pass or many other options. All game archives are offered to catch up on the games you missed for just $4.00. Visit http://chltv.neulion.com/chltv/ 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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