Srgt. Hulka

***Mudbugs win the Conference Championship and will be playing for the President's Cup!!!***

Mudbugs Win Berry Conference, Advance to Cup Finals
05/08/2011 7:23 PM

BOSSIER CITY, LA – The Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs clinched the Berry Conference title and a trip to the Ray Miron President’s Cup Finals with a 5-3 victory over the Allen Americans in Game 5 of the Berry Conference Finals Sunday at the CenturyTel Center.

By eliminating the Governors’ Cup Champion Americans four games to one, the ‘Bugs have clinched their sixth conference title and first trip to the CHL Finals since 2006. Bossier-Shreveport will now face either Rapid City or Colorado for the President’s Cup Championship.

David Rutherford scored two goals and assisted on Nick Layton’s game-winner to finish with three points in the win. Layton had a goal and an assist, while Michael Couch finished with two helpers as the Mudbugs repeatedly fought off Allen’s attempts at a comeback.

Jim Jorgensen started the scoring for the ‘Bugs, finishing off a 4-on-2 rush just over five minutes in. Rutherford followed later in the period with his first of the night, beating Chris Whitley with a quick snapshot from just over the blueline to make it 2-0 Mudbugs on the powerplay. Allen got back within one when David Nimmo deflected a point shot into the net for a powerplay goal with just 8.5 seconds left in the period to cut their deficit to one.

Rutherford’s second tally came on another rush as he and Justin Aikins criss-crossed into the Americans’ zone, leaving #91 free to fire a shot off Whitley’s glove and in to extend the lead back to 3-1 at the 6:41 mark. Whitley was then replaced in goal by Scott Campbell for the second straight game. Allen reduced the lead to one again right off a draw late in the period when Jarret Lukin one-timed a Nino Musitelli feed past John DeCaro to put the score at 3-2 after two periods.

Not many chances came for either club in the third as the ‘Bugs committed to a strong defensive game. Allen was pushing with just over two minutes left when David Rutherford won a race to a loose puck in the Americans’ zone and chipped it across to Nick Layton, who beat Campbell low to the stick side to give Bossier-Shreveport a 4-2 lead.

They would need the breathing room, because Tobias Whelan scored less than one minute later to draw Allen back within a goal. Then with just 21 seconds remaining, the ‘Bugs won a draw in their own zone and Michael Couch sent the puck to neutral, where Travis Clayton caught up to it and shot it into the empty net to seal the 5-3 victory and punch the Mudbugs’ ticket to the President’s Cup Finals.

John DeCaro (9-2) stopped 23 shots on the way to his league-leading ninth playoff win as Bossier-Shreveport was outshot 26-24 by Allen. Scott Campbell (0-2) was credited with his second straight loss despite giving up just one goal on 13 shots, while Chris Whitley made seven saves but surrendered three goals in the first 26:41. The ‘Bugs finished 1 for 3 on the powerplay, while the Americans were 1-5.

The Mudbugs will now await an opponent in the finals as they look to hoist the President’s Cup for the fourth time and first since 2001. The ‘Bugs will face either the defending Champion Rapid City Rush or the two-time cup winning Colorado Eagles out of the Turner Conference. The Eagles currently lead the Rush 3-2 in the Turner Conference Finals with Game 6 coming up on Monday from Colorado.

For scheduling and ticket information about the 2011 President’s Cup Finals as well as all the latest team news, log on to mudbugshockey.com: Home or call the team office at 752-BUGS.

That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, ...

Srgt. Hulka

Mudbugs Announce President’s Cup Final Home Dates



05/11/2011 1:18 PM -
BOSSIER CITY, LA – Although they will not know their opponent in the 2011 CHL Ray Miron President’s Cup Finals until later tonight, the Berry Conference Champion Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs today announced their three home dates at the CenturyTel Center for the best-of-seven series.

No matter who advances in tonight’s Game 7 of the Turner Conference Finals, the top-seeded Rapid City Rush or the #2 Colorado Eagles, the Mudbugs will be the lower seed in the CHL’s Championship series. That means the ‘Bugs will open the series on the road with Games 1 and 2 this Friday and Saturday before returning to Bossier City to host three games next week.

Game 3 of the President’s Cup Finals is set for Tuesday, May 17 at the CenturyTel Center, with Game 4 to follow on Thursday, May 19. If necessary, Game 5 will be played the next day on Friday, May 20. Opening faceoff will be 7:05 pm for all three Mudbugs home games in the Finals.

As the series follows a 2-3-2 format, Bossier-Shreveport would then travel back to Colorado or Rapid City for potential Games 6 and 7 on the road.

Below is the schedule so far for the best-of-seven President’s Cup Finals:

Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs vs. Turner Conference Champions
Game 1 – Fri., May. 13 – Bossier-Shreveport at TCC
Game 2 – Sat., May. 14 – Bossier-Shreveport at TCC
Game 3 – Tue., May 17 – TCC at Bossier-Shreveport, 7:05 pm
Game 4 – Thu., May 19 – TCC at Bossier-Shreveport, 7:05 pm
*Game 5 – Fri., May 20 – TCC at Bossier-Shreveport, 7:05 pm
*Game 6 – TBD – Bossier-Shreveport at TCC
*Game 7 – TBD – Bossier-Shreveport at TCC
(all times Central Standard Time)

* if necessary

Single game tickets for Games 3 and 4 at the CenturyTel Center are on sale now at the CenturyTel Center box office, through Ticketmaster at 318-741-9700 or online at Tickets for Concerts, Sports, Arts, Theater, Family, Events, more. Official Ticketmaster site. Mudbugs playoff package ticket holders are reminded to use their tickets for playoff games “K”, “L” and “M” for the three home games during the President’s Cup Finals.

Mudbugs season ticket holders who elected not to purchase the full playoff package will have until 5:00 pm Monday to purchase their specific seats for the President’s Cup Finals, after which time all seats will be made available for sale to the general public.

For all the latest team news and information, visit mudbugshockey.com: Home.

mudbugshockey.com: Mudbugs Headlines

That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, ...

saintfan

Did somebody say Mud Dawgs?




Oh...Mudbugs...sorry

Srgt. Hulka

After losing the first game in overtime Friday night in Colorado...

All Even: Bugs Top Eagles in Game 2

05/14/2011 10:36 PM

LOVELAND, CO – Five different players scored goals for the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs in a 5-3 victory over the Colorado Eagles in Game 2 of the Ray Miron President’s Cup Finals Saturday night at the Budweiser Events Center.*The Mudbugs have now tied the best-of-seven series at one game apiece as the teams travel to Bossier City for the next three games, starting with Game 3 Tuesday night at the CenturyTel Center.
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The forward line of Brett Smith, Steven Crampton and Andy Contois accounted for three of Bossier-Shreveport’s five goals in the contest, led by three assists for Contois.*Smith, Crampton and Simon Mangos each finished with a goal and an assist as well.*John DeCaro put on a solid performance with 33 saves as the ‘Bugs were outshot 36-19, and Jeff Kryzakos tied the Mudbugs’ single-season playoff record with his tenth goal of the postseason.
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It didn’t take long for the action to start in Game 2 as Brett Smith skated into the Colorado zone and beat Kyle Jones with a top-shelf slapshot from the left circle to put the ‘Bugs on top only 30 seconds in.*The Eagles answered exactly three minutes later however, as Adam Chorneyko knocked a centering feed past John DeCaro to tie the game at one.*
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Colorado built a heavy shot advantage as the period continued, but DeCaro looked poised with 13 saves in the first 20 minutes.*The ‘Bugs missed on 1:26 of 5-on-3 powerplay time late in the period as the score stayed tied at one.
*
The Mudbugs re-took the lead midway through the second on a great offensive shift as Steven Crampton fed the puck into the high slot for Mangos, who put a wrister just inside the far post to make it 2-1 for the visitors.*Riley Nelson tied the score again for the Eagles three minutes later, backhanding a loose puck past DeCaro at 13:58.*Then with just over three minutes remaining in the second, Justin Aikins and David Rutherford sprung through the neutral zone on a 2-on-1 break.*Aikins faked the pass before sneaking a perfect shot past Jones to put Bossier-Shreveport back on top at 3-2 after two.
*
The lead became 4-2 six minutes into the third when Shawn Limpright and Travis Clayton teamed up to find Jeff Kyrzakos, who sent a shot through traffic and past Jones from the top of the circle.*The Mudbugs kept coming on a beautiful passing play as Brett Smith sent a cross-ice pass to Andy Contois, who then centered the puck to Steven Crampton for a tap-in goal and a three-goal Bossier-Shreveport lead.
*
Colorado made it 5-3 on Chorneyko’s second goal of the night at 14:05, but the Eagles were not able to score again despite a late powerplay chance and a 6-on-4 opportunity with the net empty in the final minute.*Bossier-Shreveport held the Eagles without a powerplay goal yet in the series with three successful penalty kills, but also finished 0 for 5 on its own powerplay.
*
John DeCaro (10-3) earned his league-leading 10th victory of the playoffs with 33 stops, his second-highest save total of the postseason.*Kyle Jones (4-4) dropped back to .500 after making 14 saves in the game.
*
With the President’s Cup Finals now tied at one game apiece, the series will shift to the CenturyTel Center for the next three games, starting with Game 3 on Tuesday night.*Game 4 will then be on Thursday, with Game 5 following on Friday.
*
Opening faceoff for all three games is set for 7:05 pm at the CenturyTel Center.*Mudbugs group ticket packages can be purchased by phone at 318-752-BUGS or in person at the team office inside the CenturyTel Center.*

mudbugshockey.com: Mudbugs Headlines

That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, ...

Srgt. Hulka

Mudbugs play tonight at home in the Century Tell Center. I've got my tickets and I'm pumped! I'll keep you posted on the outcome. All you local people, come out tonight and support the home team. It's gonna be FUN!

Go Bugs!!

Srgt. Hulka

Well, this bites...
That's ok, we'll take them Thursday night to tie the series at two.

Colorado Rallies to Snatch Game 3, 2-1 Series Lead

05/17/2011 9:38 PM -
BOSSIER CITY, LA – The Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs led 2-0 after two periods but couldn’t hold on in 4-2 loss to the Colorado Eagles in Game 3 of the Ray Miron Presidents’ Cup Finals Tuesday night at the CenturyTel Center. Colorado now leads the CHL’s Championship series 2-1 with Game 4 coming up Thursday night at the CenturyTel Center.

Justin Aikins and Nick Layton scored goals in the first two periods as Bossier-Shreveport entered the third with a 2-0 advantage, a scenario in which the team was 9-0 in the playoffs. The Eagles rattled off three unanswered goals however, including two from Kevin Ulanski, before a late empty-netter sealed the win. John DeCaro made 27 saves and had a shutout going for nearly 48 minutes before the late Colorado charge.

DeCaro was the story of the first period, making 14 saves as the Eagles came in waves to start to the contest. Colorado had the first eight shots of the game, including an impressive point-blank chance for Scott May that DeCaro stopped with his glove.

The ‘Bugs then broke through with powerplay goal on their first shot of the game when David Rutherford skated down the right wing and fed a cross-ice pass to Justin Aikins, who cut across the crease and deposited a backhander behind Andrew Penner at 11:35. Despite being outshot 14-4, Bossier-Shreveport led 1-0 after one.

Bossier-Shreveport tightened up in the second period, allowing only six shots to the Eagles while getting eight of their own. Both teams failed to convert on one powerplay apiece before the ‘Bugs extended their lead late in the period. Shawn Limpright helped create a neutral zone turnover to spring a 2-on-1 break with Rutherford and Layton, who raced in from the blueline before beating Penner with a quick wrister inside the far post at 17:49 of the second.

After a few key saves from Penner, Colorado roared back starting with Jason Beatty’s booming slapshot that got the visitors on the board eight minutes into the third. Ulanski’s first goal then came on a powerplay rebound three minutes later to knot the score at two. After the ‘Bugs missed on another powerplay chance and with just 2:35 left in regulation, Ulanski buried a Riley Nelson feed during a 2-on-1 break to put the Eagles ahead to stay. Dan Sullivan’s empty-netter sewed up the 4-2 Colorado win with 34 seconds left.

John DeCaro (10-4) lost for just the fourth time in the postseason despite a number of quality saves as the ‘Bugs were outshot 31-19. Andrew Penner (8-2) stopped 17 shots in the win. Bossier-Shreveport finished 1 for 5 on the powerplay, while Colorado was 1 for 4.

The Mudbugs will now be looking to even the best-of-seven series at two games apiece when they host Game 4 on Thursday at the CenturyTel Center, with Game 5 following on Friday.

mudbugshockey.com: Mudbugs Headlines

That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, ...

SmashMouth

C'mon now ... lay off the sauce and win this next game!

Srgt. Hulka

Wooo Hooooooo!!!! The series is is tied back up at two games apiece. We can still win this, but we will have to do it in Colorado. The last home game is tonight. All of you NW Louisiana people need to come out and support the home team.

Kyrzakos Nets OT Winner as Bugs Tie Series

05/19/2011 10:13 PM

BOSSIER CITY, LA – Jeff Kyrzakos one-timed a Nick Layton pass into the net at 4:31 of overtime to lift the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs to a 5-4 victory over the Colorado Eagles in Game 4 of the Ray Miron Presidents’ Cup Finals Thursday at the CenturyTel Center.*The goal tied the CHL’s Championship series at two games apiece for the Mudbugs with Game 5 set for Friday night at the CenturyTel Center.
*
Shawn Limpright scored two goals in the game, including the one that tied it in the third period, while Simon Mangos and Nathan Moon also found the back of the net for Bossier-Shreveport.*The goal by Kryzakos capped a comeback similar to the one the Mudbugs fell victim to just two days ago in Game 3 and made him the franchise record holder for goals in a single playoff season with 11.*Ryan Munce relieved John DeCaro halfway through the contest after Colorado made it 4-2, stopping all 13 shots he saw to earn the win in goal.
*
Much like Game 3, Colorado got off to a quick start in the contest with an early 7-1 shot advantage.*This time the Eagles got the first goal when Adam Hogg’s sharp-angle shot went wide but bounced off the boards to the far side of John DeCaro, where Steve Haddon quickly tapped it into an open net just over one minute in.
*
The ‘Bugs gained momentum as the period progressed, tying it up at 9:58 when Nathan Moon picked up a loose puck in the high slot and fired it through traffic past Andrew Penner’s right pad.*Just 15 seconds later off the ensuing faceoff, Travis Clayton forced the puck out front past a prone Penner, where Shawn Limpright jammed it in to put Bossier-Shreveport on top 2-1 after 20 minutes.
*
Colorado scored three goals on its first four shots of the second period to take the lead, starting with Adam Hogg’s five-hole shot from the low circle that tied it at two.*Scott May then scored an impressive shorthanded goal two minutes later, batting Adam Chorneyko’s pass out of mid-air and into the net to put the Eagles on top.*Chorneyko added another assist on Kevin Ulanski’s goal three minutes after that to make it 4-2 Colorado.
*
DeCaro was then relieved in goal by Ryan Munce, who made a huge save late in the period on a chance from in tight, but not before the ‘Bugs had drawn back within one.*On that tally Andy Contois broke down the left boards and centered a feed across to Simon Mangos, who re-directed it into the net at 15:18 to give the Mudbugs life going into the third down just one.
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Michael Couch then helped set up the game-tying goal in the third frame, rushing into the offensive zone and wristing a shot that was blocked near the top of the circles. The puck then bounced directly onto the stick of Limpright, who wasted no time in wiring the rebound chance into the net to tie the game at 7:47.*Munce stopped nine shots in the third and Colorado hit three posts to preserve the tie into overtime.
*
After an unsuccessful Mudbugs powerplay early in the extra session, Jamie Milam sent the puck deep into the Eagles zone for Nick Layton, who was alone in the corner.*Layton’s perfect pass into the low slot was then one-timed into the net*by Kyrzakos, who broke John Vecchiarelli’s 12-year-old franchise record with his 11th goal of the playoffs.
*
John DeCaro stopped 11 shots in the first 30 minutes of the contest, while Ryan Munce (2-2) finished with 13 saves and the win.*Andrew Penner (8-3) suffered the loss after a 21-save effort as Colorado outshot Bossier-Shreveport 28-26.*The ‘Bugs were 0 for 6 on the powerplay, but held the Eagles scoreless on four powerplays as well.
*
With the best-of-seven series now even at two games apiece, the teams will now turn their attention to Friday’s Game 5 at the CenturyTel Center.*The winner of that game will hold a 3-2 series lead and have a chance to clinch the championship when the series returns to Colorado for Game 6 next Wednesday.

mudbugshockey.com: Mudbugs Headlines

That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, ...

SmashMouth

Time to go to Colorado!

Srgt. Hulka

Not yet. We have a home game tonight, then it off to Colorado to wrap up the championship. I will be at the game tonight, but unfotunately will have to listen to the Colorado game(s) on the radio.