Offense Stalls in 3-1 Loss to RiverKings

December 26, 2009 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs News Release


BOSSIER CITY, LA - Derek Landmesser's goal at 18:23 of the second period turned out being the game-winner as the Mississippi RiverKings knocked off the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs 3-1 Saturday night at CenturyTel Center. The loss ends a six-game winning streak for the Mudbugs, who fall to 15-11-0 this season.

Joe Ori scored the only goal for the ‘Bugs, who were held to a single tally for the first time in 16 games. Ken Carroll stopped 29 shots but dropped to 6-5-0 as the Mudbugs were outshot 28-12 in the last two periods. The RiverKings win stopped a four-game losing streak to the Mudbugs and tied them with Bossier-Shreveport for third place in the Northern Conference.

Neither team found the back of the net in the first period, which saw a total of only 12 combined shots. Both teams missed on one powerplay chance and the ‘Bugs outshot the ‘Kings 8-4 as they stayed scoreless through 20 minutes.

The second period started with back-to-back fights as Mark Johnson squared off against David Simoes and then James DeLory followed suit, dropping Adam Smyth in the second bout.

Mississippi opened the scoring early in the period when Andrew Lackner one-timed a Matt Summers pass over Ken Carroll's shoulder at 3:01 to give the RiverKings a 1-0 lead. The Mudbugs got on the board later in the period when Mark Johnson found Joe Ori skating into the high slot, where Ori set up and beat Kevin Beech with a wrist shot low to the stick side to tie the game. Just over three minutes later, the ‘Kings went back on top as Derek Landmesser scored on a slapshot with 1:37 left in the second, making it 2-1 Mississippi. The RiverKings outshot the Mudbugs 18-7 in the period.

The ‘Bugs never could solve Beech in the third period, where they were outshot 10-5. Bossier-Shreveport pushed to tie the game in the closing minutes before Nathan Schwartzbauer's empty-net goal sealed the Mississippi win.

Kevin Beech made 19 saves in his third victory of the year as the RiverKings finished with a 32-20 shot advantage. Both teams were 0 for 2 on the powerplay.

The Mudbugs will now start a three-game road swing tomorrow night with their first-ever visit to Allen, Texas, where they will face the Allen Americans at 6:30 pm. The expansion Americans topped the ‘Bugs 2-1 back on October 23 in the first meeting between the teams. Pregame coverage will begin at 6:10 pm on AM 1130 KWKH and the game can also be seen live online on CHL TV.



Central Hockey League Stories from December 26, 2009


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