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Special Teams Lift 'Bugs Over Brahmas

February 28, 2009 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs News Release


BOSSIER CITY, LA - Three powerplay goals and a perfect nine-for-nine penalty killing effort helped the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs to a 4-2 win over the Texas Brahmas on Saturday night at the CenturyTel Center. Jon Horrell made 36 saves and four different Mudbugs lit the lamp as Bossier-Shreveport won for the 34th time this season.

Joe Blaznek's third-period goal off a great setup by Kevin Cooper proved to be the game-winner, snapping a 2-2 tie before another late goal from Neil Clark finished off the win. The Mudbugs' three powerplay goals came on just four chances, while Bossier-Shreveport stifled the Brahmas' third ranked powerplay unit.

Physical play was the story of the first period, with both teams playing the body throughout the first 20 minutes. The ‘Bugs scored first on the powerplay when Simon Mangos got himself into open space and shot the puck into the daylight between Brett Jaeger's blocker side and the goalpost to make it 1-0 for the Mudbugs. It looked like the period would end 1-0 before the Brahmas created a turnover in the Mudbugs end to tie the game. Brandon Benedict's cross-ice pass was blocked by the ‘Bugs defense, but bounced right back to him and he buried the second chance with just 57 seconds left in the period to make it 1-1.

Bossier-Shreveport re-took the lead early in the second during a 5-on-3 powerplay opportunity. Dale Lupul's centering pass to the front bounced off Tyrel Lucas' skate and right to Travis Clayton, who fired it into the net to give the ‘Bugs a 2-1 lead. Texas tied it up again just 32 seconds later though when Matt Burto created the play that led to Pete Rouleau's shorthanded goal, making it a 2-2 game. The Mudbugs killed off three straight Texas powerplays to keep the game even after two periods.

It stayed that way for most of the third, again thanks to the ‘Bugs stifling penalty kill. The big goal came at 13:58 after Kevin Cooper won a race to the puck in the Brahmas' zone and wrapped around the net before dishing a pass in the low slot to Blaznek, who picked the top corner on Jaeger's glove side for his team-leading 19th goal of the year that made it 3-2. After a late penalty call on the Brahmas, Clark intercepted a Texas pass at neutral ice and raced in on a breakaway before beating Jaeger upstairs with a backhander to cap off the 4-2 victory.

Jon Horrell improved to 11-3-2 this year with the 36-save effort, while Jaeger dropped to 25-7-4. The Brahmas outshot the ‘Bugs 38-31 in the contest.

The Mudbugs will now head to Wichita to finish out this weekend's set of three games in three days against the Thunder. Bossier-Shreveport has gone 3-0 against Wichita so far this year, but all three games have been decided by a single goal. Opening faceoff on Sunday is set for 5:05 pm with pregame coverage set to start at 4:45 on AM 1130 KWKH. Sunday's game will not be available online through the CHL Network.

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