Start the bus, Indy is heading back to Louisiana
by Mike Wallin
March 28, 2004 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
The Indianapolis Ice have played themselves into a deciding Game Five in their CHL playoff series against the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs. Indy evened the series on Sunday night with a convincing 7-4 victory.
"After trailing in the series 2-0, all we could ask for was an opportunity to play in a Game Five," said Ice Head Coach Ken McRae.
The Ice carried over momentum gained from Saturday's thrilling 4-3 win by storming out to a 4-0 lead over the shocked Mudbugs. Bossier-Shreveport did rally to make the game close, however it was too much Indy in Game Four.
Forwards Jason Baird and Jared Dumba each netted two goals to pace the upstart Ice. Indy's top line of Dumba, Baird and Dave Gilmore accounted for five goals and six assists on the night.
"Last night's win was so big for us and so emotional," said Baird. "The whole team was so ready tonight and our line just really clicked."
Indianapolis would also garner goals from Gilmore, Bernie John and Jim Shepherd on the night. In all, the Ice peppered 34 shots on goal, with seven of them lighting the lamp.
Bossier-Shreveport made a bit of a surprise start as netminder Jeff Blair got the call. Blair was run from the net after allowing four goals in just over twenty-five minutes. Ken Carroll relieved Blair, allowed two goals himself before Dumba scored an empty netter.
Mudbug spark plug Dan Wildfong, the team leader in goals, with four in the series, sustained a broken nose and a bad laceration just minutes into the game. Wildfong collided with Indy's Jim Shepherd and took what appeared to be either an elbow or the top end of Shepherd's stick to the face. Without Wildfong for fifty-seven minutes in Game Four proved to be very costly for the Mudbugs.
Both teams now hop back on their respective buses for the long thirteen hour bus ride down to the CenturyTel Center for the do-or-die Game Five on Tuesday night.
• Discuss this story on the Central Hockey League message board...
Central Hockey League Stories from March 28, 2004
- Tickets For Games One & Two On Sale Monday - Laredo Bucks
- Start the bus, Indy is heading back to Louisiana - OSC Original by Mike Wallin
- Start the bus, Indy is heading back to Louisiana - OSC Original by Mike Wallin
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer(s), and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
