Bossier-Shreveport Complete Sweep of Colorado, Advances to North Conference Final

From the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs Website: www.mudbugshockey.com

The Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs completed a 4 game sweep of the Colorado Eagles with a 4-2 victory in game 4 of the Northern Conference Semifinals Thursday Night at the Century Tel Center. The win gives the Mudbugs their first triumph in a best-of-seven series in three seasons and sent them to the Northern Conference Final for the first time since 2006. Bossier-Shreveport will now face either Rapid City or Missouri in the third round of the 2010 CHL Playoffs.

Ken Carroll had a big night for the Mudbugs, making 36 saves to hold off the high-scoring Eagles and earn his third straight win of the series. Shawn Limpright and Tyrel Lucas each had a goal and an assist as the Bugs built a 3-0 lead on their way to sweeping a playoff series for the fifth time in their history and the first since 2001.

The Mudbugs came out firing early on, gaining the advantage with a pair of powerplay goals. Limpright tapped in a Jamie Milan pass on the doorstep at 4:18 to start the scoring for the home team. Bossier-Shreveport then tallied on it's second man-advantage as well as Tyrel Lucas slid a pass into the shot for Justin Aikns, who beat Anrew Penner top-shelf to make it 2-0. The lead became 3-0 late in the period as Limpright made a nice play around the defense to get the puck in front to Travis Clayton, who chipped in his third of the playoffs at 17:52.

Colorado got on the board in the second frame, needing just eight seconds worth of a power play to get Ed Mcgrane's goal out of a scramble in front and cut the lead to 3-1 in the first minute. The Bugs extended the lead to 4-1 midway through the 2nd period when Lucas redirected Jim Jorgensen's shot past Penner at 10:51.

The Eagles skated to a 15-7 shot advantage in the third, but couldn't beat Carroll to close the gap until Ryan Tobler scored on a backhanded shot in front with 1:05 left in regulation. The Bugs finished off the last minute to earn their second playoff series win over Colorado after being swept by the Eagles last year.

Andrew Penner suffered the loss, making 30 saves as Colorado out-shot the Bossier-Shreveport 38-34 on the night. The Bugs converted two of 5 power plays chances, while the Eagles scored on 2 of 6 opportunities.

The Mudbugs will now await their opponent for the Northern Conference Finals as the other Northern Semifinal plays out. Top-seeded Rapid City leads #5 Missouri 3-0 into the series heading into game 4 tomorrow night at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center.

Schedules and Ticketing information for round three will be released as soon as they are determined. For more info, call the team office at 752-BUGS or visit www.mudbugshockey.com


Bossier-Shreveport Wins Series 4-0, The Mudbugs will advance to the Northern Conference Final.


Game Boxscore

Colorado Eagles 2 Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs 4 (0-3, 1-1, 1-0)

1-0 BOS: Shawn Limpright (PP) (Milam, Kyrzakos) 4:18 1st

2-0 BOS: Justin Aikins (PP) (Lucas, Pszenyczny) 11:37 1st

3-0 BOS: Travis Clayton (Limpright) 17:52 1st

3-1 COL: Ed Mcgrane (PP) (Mcleod, Jackson) 0:50 2nd

4-1 BOS: Tyrel Lucas (Jorgensen, Rutherford) 10:51 2nd

4-2 COL: Ryan Tobler (PP) (EA) (Schneekloth, Nelson) 18:55 3rd


Game Stats

SOG: COL 38 BOS 34

PP: COL 2/6 BOS 2/5

PIM: COL 14 Minutes on 7 Penalties BOS 16 Minutes on 8 Penalties

Goalies: COL Andrew Penner 30 SVS on 34 Shots BOS Ken Carroll 36 SVS on 38 Shots

ATT: 3888

3rd Star: Tyrel Lucas (BOS)

2nd Star: Shawn Limpright (BOS)

1st Star: Ken Carroll (BOS)