Winning Streaks Continue for Mudbugs
January 4, 2008 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs News Release
BOSSIER CITY, LA - The Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs won their ninth straight game overall and 13th in a row at home Friday night at CenturyTel Center , beating Oklahoma City by a final score of 4-1. Paired with a Mississippi loss, the win puts the Mudbugs in sole possession of first place in the Northeast Division for the first time this season.
Kevin Cooper scored twice and Ken Carroll stopped 39 shots in goal to win his seventh consecutive start. The nine straight wins and 13 in a row at home both qualify as the third-longest such streaks in franchise history.
The Mudbugs led 1-0 after one period, and some big saves by goaltender Jason Wolfe kept that deficit from being bigger for Oklahoma City after 20 minutes. Bossier-Shreveport took the lead on Jake Ortmeyer's second goal of the season just over seven minutes into the contest. Kevin Labatte stole the puck from a Blazer at neutral ice and moved it to Chris Brassard, who feathered a great pass in the slot to a streaking Ortmeyer, who finished the play to give the 'Bugs the lead. The game stayed that way all the way through the second period, with the Mudbugs generating more chances but unable to extend the lead.
Then in the third period, Bossier-Shreveport took over thanks in large part to Kevin Cooper. The first year Mudbugs forward made two stellar plays for goals in the third. On Cooper's first tally, he intercepted an Oklahoma City pass at center ice, deked around a Blazers defenseman and backhanded the puck between Wolfe's legs for an unassisted goal and a 2-0 Mudbugs lead. Then Ryan Fairbarn got into the act, finishing a play from Daniel Pegoraro and Tyrel Lucas with a great wrist shot off the crossbar and in the net for his fifth goal of the year. Then Cooper did it again, this time getting a pass from Brett Smith just outside the 'Bugs blue line on the powerplay, charging in down the left wing side and getting around a Blazer defenseman before wrapping around the net and stuffing home his 11th goal of the year to put Bossier-Shreveport up 4-0. Cooper has now scored seven goals in his last five games. Carroll's shutout bid was ruined when Michael Kaye scored with just 51 seconds remaining in the game to provide the only offense of the night for Oklahoma City .
Both teams finished with 40 shots on goal for the night. Bossier-Shreveport was 1 for 6 on the powerplay, while the Blazers finished 0 for 7 with the extra man.
Earlier in the day, the Mudbugs announced the signing of defenseman Matt York, who made his debut in the contest against Oklahoma City . The 6'0", 195 pound defenseman from Woodhaven, Michigan is in his third professional season out of Ferris State University , where he played with current Mudbugs Jason Basile, John DeCaro and Brett Smith in his college career. In 05-06 as a rookie with Gwinnett of the ECHL, York recorded 10 goals, 34 points and 180 penalty minutes in 67 games. He followed that up with 28 points and 150 PIMS last season for the Gladiators. York was paired defensively with Quade Lightbody in Friday night's contest.
Bossier-Shreveport will now host the Mississippi RiverKings tomorrow night at CenturyTel Center in an important divisional matchup. The RiverKings, losers of four straight after Friday's 2-1 loss in Austin, come to Bossier City for their seventh meeting with the Mudbugs this season. First place will be on the line again when the puck drops at 7:05 between the Mudbugs and the rival RiverKings. Saturday night is also education night, as schools from throughout the Ark-La-Tex will bring groups of students to the game. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster at 318-741-9700.
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Central Hockey League Stories from January 4, 2008
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