Tough Guys Lead 'Bugs Over 'Kings

Published on January 7, 2009 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs News Release


BOSSIER CITY, LA - Neil Clark and Brett Angel both had three points as the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs got a big divisional win over the Mississippi RiverKings, 5-3 on Tuesday night at CenturyTel Center. The Mudbugs scored three times in the third period to break open a game that was tied after two periods and win for the 19th time this year.

Clark led the way with two goals and one assist, giving him a career-high 11 goals this season. Angel scored the game-winning goal, his career-best fifth of the year, and added on two assists, while Dave Pszenyczny chipped in two helpers as well to help the Mudbugs move to 4-1 against Mississippi this year.

The game was scoreless after one period with both teams seeing time on the powerplay, but neither able to capitalize. The Mudbugs put seven shots on net in the period, while Ken Carroll stopped four RiverKings' shots to open the game.

The scoring chances picked up in the second period, and pucks started going in for both teams. First off though, Carroll stopped a point-blank chance on a Mississippi 2-on-1 break to keep the game scoreless. The RiverKings' Jeff Nelson changed that at 6:57, beating Carroll on an open chance in front to put Mississippi on top. A short time later though, Neil Clark's backhand shot on a 1-on-1 rush snuck by the blocker of Tyler Sims and into the net to tie it up for the 'Bugs. The tie didn't last long, as Bossier-Shreveport took the lead just 37 seconds later on a beautiful goal from Tyrel Lucas. Joe Blaznek skated into the zone and got the puck to an open Lucas, who cut in front and tucked it into Sims' five-hole to make it 2-1 for the Mudbugs. Mississippi wasn't done though, as Joe Markusen's tip of a Jeff Alcombrack shot on the powerplay tied the game back up with about three minutes remaining in the second period.

Bossier-Shreveport came out strong in the third period, quickly taking the lead with its first powerplay goal in four games. Chris Brassard picked up a loose puck in the high slot and fired a quick shot that beat Sims to give the Mudbugs a 3-2 lead. Then just 33 seconds after that, Angel broke into the offensive zone, drove wide on the defenseman to get to the front and rifled a perfect shot inside the far post for his fifth goal of the year that made it 4-2. Clark's second goal was nearly a carbon copy of Angel's. J.J. Martin got a pass to Clark, who drove the net and again beat Sims to the far side to get his 11th of the year and give the 'Bugs a 5-2 lead. Mississippi's Joe Markusen tipped in a Jeff Alcombrack shot on the powerplay later in the third to provide the final 5-3 scoring margin and give Angel the first game-winning goal of his Mudbugs career.

Carroll had another solid night in goal, stopping 27 shots and winning his eighth decision of the year. Sims made 24 saves in defeat as the RiverKings outshot the Mudbugs 30-29. The 'Bugs were 1 for 4 on the powerplay, while Mississippi finished 2 for 7.

The Mudbugs will now embark on a season-high six-game road trip that starts with a three-in-three in south Texas. Thursday night, the Mudbugs will be in Corpus Christi to face the IceRays for the first time since a home-and-home series in late December that featured 13 games worth of suspensions over 300 minutes in penalties. The 'Bugs will then be in Laredo on Friday night and Rio Grande Valley on Saturday. Thursday's game faces off at 7:05 pm and can be heard on AM 1130 KWKH with pregame coverage beginning at 6:45. It will also be shown live online on the CHL Network.

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Central Hockey League Stories from January 7, 2009


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