Two Brassard goals lead 'Bugs over Thunder

February 1, 2008 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs News Release


WICHITA, KS - Captain Chris Brassard scored a pair of goals as the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs defeated the Wichita Thunder 4-1 on Friday night at the Kansas Coliseum. After falling behind in the first period, the Mudbugs scored last four goals of the game to move to 2-0 against the Thunder this year and run their streak to 21 straight games without a regulation loss.

Ken Carroll started the game for the ‘Bugs, but left the game after the first period and John DeCaro played the final two periods to earn the win. In holding Wichita scoreless for the last two periods, DeCaro improved his personal shutout streak to exactly 160 minutes.

Wichita opened the scoring in the game on Alex Goupil's powerplay goal. The Thunder won an offensive zone faceoff, working the puck on the point from Daniel Tetrault to Todd Paul, whose wrist shot was tipped by Goupil in front and found its way past Carroll. A short time later, Wichita had a great chance to go up 2-0 with a 5-on-3 powerplay for 1:36, but were unable to crack the Mudbugs penalty killing unit on that man advantage. Bossier-Shreveport then tied the score on Brassard's 17th goal of the year. At neutral ice, Brett Smith took a pass from Jason Basile and skated into the zone along the right wing side. Smith's pass hit Brassard cutting into the slot, where he beat newly acquired Thunder goalie Bill Zaniboni with a wrist shot to tie the score at one apiece after the first period.

Bossier-Shreveport tilted the ice in their favor in the second period, outshooting the Thunder 17-5 and scoring twice. Brassard scored again, shooting top shelf right off of an offensive zone faceoff win by Smith to give the Mudbugs the lead. The ‘Bugs extended their lead to two on a great hookup between Dale Lupul and Elias Godoy. From deep in his own end, Lupul spotted Godoy right at the blueline and hit him with a perfect pass. Godoy fought off two Wichita defenders to finish the play with his 12th goal of the season that made it 3-1 Mudbugs. Wichita had another two-man advantage of over a minute late in the second period, but Bossier-Shreveport again killed it off to preserve the two-goal lead after two.

The Mudbugs got the nail in the coffin in the third period on a great passing play between Joe Ori, Daniel Pegoraro and Tyrel Lucas that ended in Lucas' 18th goal of the season and gave the ‘Bugs a 4-1 advantage. Before the contest was over, three fights broke out in the final two minutes: Quade Lightbody vs. Cedric Bernier, Chris Brassard vs. Kyle Bruce and Kevin Labatte vs. Stan Yanchishyn. When the final buzzer sounded, the Mudbugs had another victory and extended their CHL overall lead to four points over the Rocky Mountain Rage (who lost Friday night in Corpus Christi ).

Carroll, who was named the CHL Goaltender of the Month for January on Friday afternoon, stopped 10 shots in the first period before leaving the game and DeCaro made 11 more saves to finish out the win for the Mudbugs. Bossier-Shreveport outshot Wichita by a pronounced 47-21 margin. The Mudbugs missed on eight powerplay chances in the game, while the Thunder was 1 for 9.

The same two teams will take to the ice again Saturday night at the Kansas Coliseum in the second of their three consecutive meetings. The ‘Bugs and Thunder will close out their regular season series on Tuesday night in Bossier City, but first, they'll play again Saturday night in Wichita with the opening faceoff set for 7:05 pm. Tune in to hear the call on 1130 AM KWKH or online at www.kwkhonline.com with pregame coverage starting at 6:45.



Central Hockey League Stories from February 1, 2008


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