Mudbugs Win Berry Conference, Advance to Cup Finals
May 8, 2011 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs News Release
BOSSIER CITY, LA - The Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs clinched the Berry Conference title and a trip to the Ray Miron President's Cup Finals with a 5-3 victory over the Allen Americans 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. Bossier-Shreveport will now face either Rapid City or Colorado for the President's Cup Championship.
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.
Jim Jorgensen started the scoring for the ¬ËBugs, finishing off a 4-on-2 rush just over five minutes in. Rutherford followed later in the period with his first of the night, beating Chris Whitley with a quick snapshot from just over the blueline to make it 2-0 Mudbugs on the powerplay. Allen got back within one when David Nimmo deflected a point shot into the net for a powerplay goal with just 8.5 seconds left in the period to cut their deficit to one.
Rutherford's second tally came on another rush as he and Justin Aikins criss-crossed into the Americans' zone, leaving #91 free to fire a shot off Whitley's glove and in to extend the lead back to 3-1 at the 6:41 mark. Whitley was then replaced in goal by Scott Campbell for the second straight game. Allen reduced the lead to one again right off a draw late in the period when Jarret Lukin one-timed a Nino Musitelli feed past John DeCaro to put the score at 3-2 after two periods.
Not many chances came for either club in the third as the ¬ËBugs committed to a strong defensive game. Allen was pushing with just over two minutes left when David Rutherford won a race to a loose puck in the Americans' zone and chipped it across to Nick Layton, who beat Campbell low to the stick side to give Bossier-Shreveport a 4-2 lead.
They would need the breathing room, because Tobias Whelan scored less than one minute later to draw Allen back within a goal. Then with just 21 seconds remaining, the ¬ËBugs won a draw in their own zone and Michael Couch sent the puck to neutral, where Travis Clayton caught up to it and shot it into the empty net to seal the 5-3 victory and punch the Mudbugs' ticket to the President's Cup Finals.
John DeCaro (9-2) stopped 23 shots on the way to his league-leading ninth playoff win as Bossier-Shreveport was outshot 26-24 by Allen. Scott Campbell (0-2) was credited with his second straight loss despite giving up just one goal on 13 shots, while Chris Whitley made seven saves but surrendered three goals in the first 26:41. The ¬ËBugs finished 1 for 3 on the powerplay, while the Americans were 1-5.
The Mudbugs will now await an opponent in the finals as they look to hoist the President's Cup for the fourth time and first since 2001. The ¬ËBugs will face either the defending Champion Rapid City Rush or the two-time cup winning Colorado Eagles out of the Turner Conference. The Eagles currently lead the Rush 3-2 in the Turner Conference Finals with Game 6 coming up on Monday from Colorado.
For scheduling and ticket information about the 2011 President's Cup Finals as well as all the latest team news, log on to www.mudbugshockey.com or call the team office at 752-BUGS.
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 May 8, 2011
- Mudbugs Win Berry Conference, Advance to Cup Finals - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
- Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs Win N. Thomas Berry Trophy - CHL
- Americans Elminated from Playoffs in 5-3 Loss to Mudbugs - Allen Americans
- Mudbugs Can Advance to Cup Finals Today - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
- Rush Force Game Six with 3-2 Triumph - Rapid City Rush
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