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Mudbugs Weekly

May 23, 2011 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs News Release


LAST WEEK

Game 3: Tuesday, May 17 CenturyTel Center L 4-2

GAME NOTES: The Mudbugs led 2-0 after two periods but couldn't hold on in 4-2 loss to the Colorado Eagles in Game 3 of the Ray Miron Presidents' Cup Finals Tuesday at the CenturyTel Center. Justin Aikins and Nick Layton scored goals in the first two periods as Bossier-Shreveport entered the third with a 2-0 advantage, a scenario in which the team was 9-0 in the playoffs. The Eagles rattled off three unanswered goals however, including two from Kevin Ulanski, before a late empty-netter sealed the win. John DeCaro made 27 saves and had a shutout going for nearly 48 minutes before Colorado's charge.

Game 4: Thursday, May 19 CenturyTel Center W 5-4 (OT)

GAME NOTES: Jeff Kyrzakos one-timed a Nick Layton pass into the net at 4:31 of overtime to lift the Mudbugs to a 5-4 victory over Colorado in Game 4 of the Ray Miron Presidents' Cup Finals Thursday at the CenturyTel Center, tying the CHL's Championship series at two games apiece. Shawn Limpright scored two goals in the game, including the one that tied it in the third period, while Simon Mangos and Nathan Moon also found the back of the net for Bossier-Shreveport. The goal by Kryzakos capped a comeback similar to the one the Mudbugs fell victim to just two days prior in Game 3 and made him the franchise record holder for goals in a single playoff season with 11. Ryan Munce relieved John DeCaro halfway through the contest after Colorado made it 4-2, stopping all 13 shots he saw to earn the win in goal.

Game 5: Friday, May 20 CenturyTel Center W 7-2

GAME NOTES: David Rutherford scored a hat trick and linemates Nick Layton and Justin Aikins accounted for three more goals as the Mudbugs blitzed the Eagles 7-2 in Game 5 of the Ray Miron Presidents' Cup Finals Friday at the CenturyTel Center. The Mudbugs now lead the best-of-seven series 3-2 and will have a chance to clinch the CHL Championship in Game 6 on Wednesday. Rutherford became the first Mudbug to score a playoff hat trick since Chris Brassard in 2005 and added in assist to lead the way with four points for Bossier-Shreveport. Layton scored twice and had an assist, while Justin Aikins rounded out the line with a goal and two helpers. At the other end of the ice, Ryan Munce finished with 32 saves to earn the win in his first start since April 15.

THIS WEEK

Game 6: Wednesday, May 25 Budweiser Events Center 8:05 pm

Game 7*: Friday, May 27 Budweiser Events Center 8:05 pm

* if necessary

SERIES NOTES: The 2011 Central Hockey League season will come to a close this week as the Presidents' Cup Finals shift to the Budweiser Events Center in Loveland, Colorado, where this year's CHL Champion will be determined. Leading the series 3-2, the Mudbugs will have an opportunity to hoist the Presidents' Cup on Wednesday with a win in Game 6, while the Eagles hope to extend the season to a decisive seventh game Friday at the BEC. This year marks just the third time in the past seven seasons that the CHL's Championship series has needed at least six games to decide, while Colorado looks to force the first Game 7 in a Presidents' Cup Final since the ‘Bugs series versus Laredo in 2004.

WEEKLY NOTES

One Win Away

It has taken eight months and 85 hockey games to get to this point, but the Mudbugs can finally say they need just one more victory to call themselves Central Hockey League Champions here in 2011. If they can earn their 14th win of the playoffs and 51st overall win of the 2010-11 season, the ‘Bugs would finally capture the CHL Championship that has eluded them since the league CHL-WPHL merger in 2001. With this year's extended playoff format, Bossier-Shreveport has already set franchise records for games played (19) and wins (13) in a single playoff year while coming within one win of the President's Cup for the first time since 2004. After winning three consecutive titles in the WPHL from 1999 to 2001, '04 was the closest the franchise has come to another cup before suffering the controversial and often-relived Game 7 overtime loss t o the Laredo Bucks. The Mudbugs also made the finals in 2006, but lost that series to the Bucks in five games.

The Last One is the Hardest to Get

Holding a 3-2 series lead in the Presidents' Cup Finals, the Mudbugs will go into the Budweiser Events Center Wednesday for Game 6 trying to defeat the Eagles on their own ice in order to win a CHL Championship. Bossier-Shreveport has shown its killer instinct so far this year, going 3-0 in these playoffs when it has had an opportunity to eliminate Arizona, Tulsa and Allen. Dating back to 2006, the ‘Bugs have won eight of their last nine games with a chance to end an opponent's season. The Mudbugs are 5-1 all-time in Game 6's and have held a 3-2 series lead three times before, winning two of those series.

Back in a Big Way

After missing Game 4 against Colorado because of a one-game CHL suspension, David Rutherford didn't take long to make his presence felt when he returned to the Mudbugs' lineup in Game 5. Rutherford scored two powerplay goals in the first period, assisted on Nick Layton's second-period goal and then completed the hat trick with another tally in the third period to give him a four-point night. The three-goal effort gave Rutherford 12 goals in the playoffs, putting him ahead of teammate Jeff Kyrzakos (11 goals) for the team's single-season playoff record. The hat trick was Rutherford's second of the season overall (the other was vs. Texas in January) and made him the first Mudbug since 2005 to score a hat trick in the playoffs. Chris Brassard had been the last ‘Bug to do it with four goals in Game 4 of the '05 conference semis against Wichita.

Better Layton Than Never

Amateur forward Nick Layton continues to impress in his young pro career, entering Game 6 one a team playoff-high eight-game point streak. Layton scored twice and totaled three points in Game 5 against Colorado, one night after setting up Jeff Kyrzakos' overtime game-winner in Game 4 vs. the Eagles. Layton has scored four goals (including three game-winners) and posted six assists during the scoring streak to move into fifth on the club with 17 playoff points (7g,10a). Less than two months ago, Layton and his University of New Brunswick teammates won Canada's collegiate National Championship.

Living up to the Hype

In their fourth head-to-head playoff matchup, the Mudbugs and Eagles finally appear to be playing the epic series that has been expected since 2006. Two of the three prior series between the clubs were sweeps (in ‘09 for Colorado and last year in the ‘Bugs' favor), while the Mudbugs won the first series in five games (‘06). Playoff games between the rivals have always been exceptionally close with 12 of 18 being decided by one goal and four of the other six ending within a two-goal margin. Friday's 7-2 Mudbugs win in Game 5 was the teams' first playoff matchup to be decided by more than three goals. The ‘Bugs and Eagles have had six playoff games decided in overtime, including two of the five so far in this Championship series.

So Long, CTC

Friday's lopsided Game 5 win was the 44th and final home game of the 2010-11 season for Bossier-Shreveport. After posting a 19-13-1 record at the CenturyTel Center during the regular season, the Mudbugs won eight of their 11 home games during the playoffs to tie the franchise record for postseason home wins, originally set in 2004, and best the previous high of nine playoff games played at the CTC, also from 2004.

Cream of the Crop

It's no surprise that the CHL Championship has come down to the Mudbugs vs. the Eagles, since at least one of the two teams has played for the President's Cup in seven of the past eight CHL seasons. The two powerhouse teams, who have combined to win five Presidents' Cups, 11 conference Championships and six Governors' Cup regular season titles between them, are now facing-off with the Presidents' Cup on the line. The only other team to appear in the CHL Finals more than once since 2004 is Laredo (four times from 2004-07).

Loose Pucks

The ‘Bugs are 38-2 this year (regular season and playoffs) when leading after two periods... F Nick Layton ranks second in the CHL with a +14 rating, while F Justin Aikins and D Clay Plume are tied for third at +9... F Brett Smith has passed Toby Burkitt for 5th place on the Mudbugs' all-time playoff scoring list with 47 points (20g, 27a)... This series marks the latest in the year the Mudbugs have ever played and their most games in a single postseason with 19...

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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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.

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