Strong Showing for Mudbugs in Best of Best Poll
March 8, 2008 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs News Release
BOSSIER CITY, LA - The Central Hockey League today announced the results of its annual "Best of the Best" poll, and the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs were well represented. The league's number one team earned five number one rankings and 11 mentions in the 45-category poll.
It was no surprise to see the Mudbugs-who have broken or are on pace to break nearly every defensive record in the book-get a clean sweep of the defensive categories. The goaltenders in Bossier-Shreveport's amazing tandem were voted 1-2, with John DeCaro raking in all but two of 16 possible first place votes and finishing first by the largest margin of any category. Ken Carroll beat out Odessa 's Alexandre Vincent for second place in the Best Goaltender voting.
Fifth-year Mudbugs blueliner Quade Lightbody, who is tied for second in the CHL with a +32 rating, was voted the number one defensive defenseman in the poll, finishing well ahead of Derek Landmesser from Mississippi and Justin Kinnunen of Texas in the top three. Bossier-Shreveport also grabbed the number one honor in the "best defensive forward" category, with the shifty Kevin Cooper taking the top spot over Colorado 's Riley Nelson.
As usual, the Mudbugs' style earned them another first place ranking for "hardest working team" in the CHL, as the Bugs have continued their reputation for frustrating opponents with their energetic play.
The fifth first-place finish for Bossier-Shreveport came for their incredible boosters, as the Mudbug Boilers Booster Club easily outpaced the competition in the "Best Booster Club" category.
Mudbugs eighth-year Head Coach Scott Muscutt earned recognition in the poll as well, finishing second in the Best Coach voting. Muscutt actually received the most first place votes in the poll, but Laredo's Terry Ruskowski finished with more overall points to win the number one spot.
The Mudbugs home arena was also picked among the best facilities in the league with three top-three finishes. CenturyTel Center was voted as the second hardest building to win in (behind Colorado's Budweiser Events Center ) and third in the "best arena" category. CenturyTel also picked up the third place spot for best locker rooms.
The final mention for Bossier-Shreveport in this year's Best of the Best poll came courtesy of Mudbug Nation itself, as Mudbugs fans were picked as the third "Most Annoying Fans" in the CHL.
For a complete listing of the 2008 CHL Best of the Best Poll results, log on to www.centralhockeyleague.com. You can also click here to read more about the poll from Shreveport Times Mudbugs beat writer Roy Lang III.
Bossier-Shreveport is currently in Laredo for an important game Saturday with the rival Bucks from the Southern Conference. After a Mudbugs loss to Corpus Christi on Friday night, Laredo has climbed back to within six points of the Bugs in the race for the Governor's Cup, which earns the winner home ice advantage throughout the 2008 CHL playoffs with the best regular season record. The Mudbugs are 2-0 against the Bucks this season and won by a dominating 6-2 final score in their last visit to the Laredo Entertainment Center back on January 12th. Opening faceoff in the final regular season meeting between Bossier-Shreveport and Laredo is set for 7:30 pm central time, with the pregame show to begin at 7:10 on 1130 AM KWKH. The game will also be shown live online on the CHL Network.
• Discuss this story on the Central Hockey League message board...
Central Hockey League Stories from March 8, 2008
- Eagles Move Into First With Shootout Win Over 'Hounds - Colorado Eagles
- Rage Falls Again to RiverKings, 6-2 - Rocky Mountain Rage
- Rayz keep playoff hopes alive, beat Jacks 6-2 - Corpus Christi IceRays
- Hounds fall to Eagles 4-3 in shootout - Youngstown SteelHounds
- Bucks Step On Mudbugs 4-2 For Third Straight Win - Laredo Bucks
- Brahmas lose close one 4-3 - Fort Worth Brahmas
- Woollard's trick vaults Mississippi into playoff position - Mississippi RiverKings
- Gorillas Beat 8-3 by Sundogs - Amarillo Gorillas
- Sundogs Increase Lead in Southwest Division to Three Points - Arizona Sundogs
- Sundogs Recognized in Annual CHL Best of the Best, Grab Six Number One Spots in Poll - CHL
- Cullaton Leads the Way in CHL's Annual Best of the Best Poll - CHL
- Strong Showing for Mudbugs in Best of Best Poll - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
- Rayz recognized by CHL poll - Corpus Christi IceRays
- Hounds Make Impact In Annual Best Of The Best Poll - Youngstown SteelHounds
- Reeder, MacInnis, Robertson Best of the Best - New Mexico Scorpions
- Eagles Fans Named Best in CHL for Fourth Year in a Row - Colorado Eagles
- Call It The âBes' Of The Best Poll: Three-Peat For Rosco - Laredo Bucks
- CHL Announces Results of the 2007-08 Best of the Best Poll - CHL
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.
