Two Goals by Cooper Lead 'Bugs to Win
December 22, 2007 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs News Release
BOSSIER CITY, LA - Kevin Cooper broke a 2-2 tie with his second goal of the night midway through the third period as Bossier-Shreveport beat Youngstown 4-2 on Saturday night at CenturyTel Center. The win was Bossier-Shreveport's fifth straight overall and 10th in a row on their home ice.
Karlis Zirnis and Chris Brassard scored the other two Mudbugs goals, while Ken Carroll stopped 29 shots to win his fifth straight start. Bossier-Shreveport is now just two points behind Youngstown and four points behind first-place Mississippi in the Northeast Division standings.
Bossier-Shreveport played an outstanding first period, taking a 2-0 lead on the SteelHounds after twenty minutes. The Mudbugs took a 1-0 lead on Karlis Zirnis' fourth goal of the season just after a powerplay had expired, as Zirnis put back the rebound of a Derek Miller shot. Just over two minutes later, Bossier-Shreveport struck again. Jake Ortmeyer wrestled the puck away from Youngstown 's Bryan Lachappelle in the defensive zone, chipping it ahead to Cooper and starting a 2-on-1 for the Mudbugs with Cooper and Justin Aikins. Cooper wound up and fired a slapshot just inside the far post past Brad Roberts to put the âBugs up by two.
That lead held up for most of the second period, but Bossier-Shreveport was unable to add to it, despite having numerous shots and a lengthy two-man powerplay advantage. Before the period was out, Youngstown cut the lead in half on a goal by Chris Richards, who received a back-door pass across the crease from Jason Baird with just 16 second remaining in the period.
Still up 2-1 after two periods, the Mudbugs' lead quickly disappeared early in the third. With Lachappelle in front screening Ken Carroll, Jeff Alcombrack's wrist shot from the high slot found the back of the net and tied it up for Youngstown . More powerplay chances, including another lengthy 5 on 3, fell by the wayside for Bossier-Shreveport as the third period wore on in a 2-2 game. Finally, on their 12th powerplay of the night, the Mudbugs broke through to take the lead. Ryan Fairbarn's shot from the point was tipped in beautifully by Cooper, first off the post and then off Roberts' back and in the net to put the Mudbugs on top. Bossier-Shreveport then killed off a late SteelHounds powerplay and got some insurance on Chris Brassard's empty net goal to provide the final winning margin of 4-2 over the âHounds.
Youngstown outshot the Mudbugs 31-28 in total, going 0 for 4 on the powerplay for the night. Bossier-Shreveport converted 1 of 12 man advantages in the victory, their third in a row against Youngstown .
Next up for Bossier-Shreveport will the first of three consecutive games against the Texas Brahmas after the Christmas holiday. The Brahmas will visit CenturyTel Center on Wednesday, December 26th to meet the Mudbugs for the first time since October 27th. Tickets for Wednesday's game with Texas are available through Ticketmaster or by calling 318-752-BUGS.
Central Hockey League Stories from December 22, 2007
- Wichita Breaks Rage Streak - Rocky Mountain Rage
- Scorpions Grab Point In Colorado - New Mexico Scorpions
- Two Goals by Cooper Lead 'Bugs to Win - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
- Rayz edge Gorillas 4-3 in shootout - Corpus Christi IceRays
- Bucks Play Scrooge, Beat Bats 3-1 - Laredo Bucks
- Hounds finish road trip 0-2 - Youngstown SteelHounds
- Ice Bats Scrooged By Bucks, 3-1 - Austin Ice Bats
- 3-1 win runs winning streak to six - Mississippi RiverKings
- Brahmas falter in Mississippi 3-1 - Fort Worth Brahmas
- Amarillo Loses in Shootout - Amarillo Gorillas
- Tonight's Game Will Not Be Shown At Beef O'Brady's - Amarillo Gorillas
- Bucks Look To Unwrap A Win Tonight Against Bats - Laredo Bucks
- Tonight's Match up - Tulsa Oilers
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.
