Srgt. Hulka

Mudbugs Soar Over Eagles in Game 5, Take Series Lead

BOSSIER CITY, LA – David Rutherford scored a hat trick and linemates Nick Layton and Justin Aikins accounted for three more goals as the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs blitzed the Colorado Eagles 7-2 in Game 5 of the Ray Miron Presidents’ Cup Finals Friday night at the CenturyTel Center.*The Mudbugs now lead the best-of-seven series 3-2 and will have a chance to clinch the CHL Championship when the series shifts back to Colorado for Game 6 on Wednesday.
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Rutherford became the first Mudbug to score a playoff hat trick since Chris Brassard in 2005 and added in assist to lead the way with four points for Bossier-Shreveport.*Layton scored twice and had an assist, while Justin Aikins rounded out the line with a goal and two helpers.*At the other end of the ice, Ryan Munce finished with 32 saves to earn the win in his first start since April 15.
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The Mudbugs started quickly in the game, jumping ahead 1-0 on their first powerplay chance of the night when David Rutherford stickhandled through traffic just inside the Colorado blueline before skating free into the right circle and beating Kyle Jones top-shelf at 7:23.*Four minutes later, another Bossier-Shreveport powerplay produced the same result when Travis Clayton and Justin Aikins combined to get a pass into the low circle to Rutherford, who slid a backhander into the net to give the ‘Bugs a 2-0 advantage through one period.
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Layton banged home a centering pass from Rutherford at the top of the crease early in the second to make it 3-0 for the Mudbugs.*Jim Jorgensen got into the act at 11:37, picking up a puck that bounced off Brett Smith in the high slot and beating Kyle Jones to put the lead at 4-0.*Jones was then replaced in goal by Andrew Penner for Colorado.*Layton’s second goal was set up when the Eagles coughed up the puck in their own zone, allowing the amateur forward to skate in unopposed and beat Penner stick-side to give the ‘Bugs a 5-0 lead through 40 minutes.
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Dan Sullivan tapped in Scott May’s perfect cross-ice pass at 4:18 of the third to get Colorado on the board, but Rutherford answered with the hat trick goal three minutes later.*Rutherford broke in down the left boards and used defenseman Aaron Schneekloth as a screen before firing a laser over Penner’s glove to put the lead back to five.*Aikins beat Penner over the right shoulder to make it 7-1 later in the period before A.J. Hau tacked on a late goal to provide the final 7-2 margin in the Mudbugs’ last home game of the season.
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Ryan Munce (3-2) earned his second win in as many nights by making 13 saves in both the first and third periods on his way to 32 stops in total.*Kyle Jones (4-5) took the loss after making 19 saves on 23 shots in the first 31-plus minutes, while Penner turned aside ten shots and gave up three goals in relief.*Bossier-Shreveport outshot Colorado 36-34 and scored on 2 of 7 powerplays, while the Eagles went 0 for 3 on the man-advantage.
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With the ‘Bugs now leading the best-of-seven series 3-2, the teams will have four days to pause as the series shifts to the Budweiser Events Center in Loveland, Colorado.*The Mudbugs will then have a chance to clinch the President’s Cup Championship Wednesday in Game 6, which is set for 8:05 pm Central time.

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